This was my favorite song as a child. I know, go figure… How many little girls listened to jazz back in the day? The minister played this on a flute at my dad’s memorial. Forever grateful to her. Love me some Swinging Shepard Blues!!
This is so beautiful, I just thought of this song today, looked it up again. Before this, I was discussing Arturo Sandoval's Star Spangled Banner trumpet solo. Musicians warm my soul!
I recall walking over a hill at Ontario Place with a friend in about 1978 - hearing this - settling down to a great concert - finding about a whole world of music that I NEEDED to know more about
And that's the legendary Toronto jazz guitarist Ed Bickert on guitar (visible behind Koffman in the opening shot) who played on the original Moe Koffman quartet version in 1958.
Looks like Rob McConnell was playing trombone, and it sure sounds like Rob's arranging style. I'm guessing there was a lot of overlap between the Boss Brass and the Guido Basso Orchestra :)
Was lucky enough to have caught him at George’s on one of his many nights there was one of my earliest experiences of live jazz at the tender age of 15(1975)
This tune popped into my head this morning and I just couldn't think of what it was, but hours later its name popped into my head for reasons unknown, so I did a search and found this recording! Smartphone, thank you very much!
Thanks for loading this, @Steve Devich. It brings back so many memories of visits to George's Spaghetti House and George's Bourbon Street in the 1970s and 1980s. I saw Moe, Kathryn Moses, Eugene Amaro, the Boss Brass, and so many more. I know Guido Basso was a member of the Boss Brass, and I was looking at this video to see if I could spot any other of its members, besides Ed Bickert, playing here with Guido's band -- specifically Eugene Amaro, Butch Watanabe, and Rob McConnell. Would it be possible for you to modify the description to include the names of all the musicians playing here? Thanks!
I hear this piece every now and again and my brain goes back to being a kid and watching the end credits roll for TVO's Readalong show. I understand Koffman was also a working studio musician by day in Toronto, I'm betting he played that.
To the comment above: You heard Moe Kauffman perform in Toronto many times? Fantastic, historic news. I was a kid of 10 or so when Swingin' Shepard Blues was among the "Fabulous 50" Radio hits of the day. And it was one of the few jazz oriented numbers we were exposed to. You mentioned that he played alto as well as flute in Toronto. I'm assuming you meant he played alto sax, & doubled on flute. Fascinating! Can you tell us more? What was it like in Toronto at that time? Did he have a good band with him, & was there a happening jazz scene in & around Toronto during those years? Thank you in advance for your invaluable insights.
Can anyone tell me if this piece was ever the theme music to a British Comedy Show from years ago. I just remember a Mr Bean type character walking down the road and this music playing.
This was my favorite song as a child. I know, go figure… How many little girls listened to jazz back in the day? The minister played this on a flute at my dad’s memorial. Forever grateful to her. Love me some Swinging Shepard Blues!!
This is so beautiful, I just thought of this song today, looked it up again. Before this, I was discussing Arturo Sandoval's Star Spangled Banner trumpet solo. Musicians warm my soul!
Awesome memorial to your dad, the Swinging Shepherd Blues!
Amazing musician. I searched for "Moe Kaufmann in concert" and found that he had passed. Made a lot people happy before he died.
I recall walking over a hill at Ontario Place with a friend in about 1978 - hearing this - settling down to a great concert - finding about a whole world of music that I NEEDED to know more about
Heard Moe in person many times at George's Spaghetti House in Toronto. He was a great player on flute and alto, period the end.
+Hyslop65 me too!
He sounds great!;!;
And that's the legendary Toronto jazz guitarist Ed Bickert on guitar (visible behind Koffman in the opening shot) who played on the original Moe Koffman quartet version in 1958.
indeed. And the 58 recording clearly has Mr. Bickert's sweet guitar on it.
I had several great Sunday brunches with Ed playing. Classic .
Looks like Rob McConnell was playing trombone, and it sure sounds like Rob's arranging style.
I'm guessing there was a lot of overlap between the Boss Brass and the Guido Basso Orchestra :)
Another stellar Canadian talent who greatly influenced the world of jazz flute!
Thanks for sharing!
Was lucky enough to have caught him at George’s on one of his many nights there was one of my earliest experiences of live jazz at the tender age of 15(1975)
The birds in my neighborhood heard this and began chirping like crazy!!!
superb musician and able to make a good career in Canada in the 60's 70's as a flautist RIP mr Koffman
Great player Moe, and the superb Ed Bickert in the orchestra all the musicians high caliber thanks for posting .
Ed Bicket- ZOWIE He's the Cats! All those rootless triads and personal chord vocabulary.
So Relaxing, My Favorite Jazz Piece.
Great musician, many good times seeing him at Georges, his favourite line was "and now I would like to play a medley of my hit"
Georges spaghetti house...oh memories
The shepherd never sounded so swingin'! Thank you for sharing this musical gem.
This tune popped into my head this morning and I just couldn't think of what it was, but hours later its name popped into my head for reasons unknown, so I did a search and found this recording! Smartphone, thank you very much!
my dad would always play this song when i was a kid,miles davis,oscar peterson ect
thanks for the video
great players
oh,and Tommy Banks!
Moe actually thought of himself as a Sax Player but had to play this each night ... paid for his Jaguar, House in Rosedale & a Gold Flute !
Little Pixie is also a great Moe Kaufman side. I remember buying the single as a young kid of about 13.
Those were some of the great days in music.
This is the guy I would have my band students listen to!
The day my music teacher first taught this piece, Moe died.
RIP
Rip
Thanks M.K. for your great music! Hurray for Flutists (if I may...)
+Holly Burke Thank you for calling us flutists and not flautists!!! :-)
+Ruth B LOL!!
great composition and the solo at 1:20 shows he'd been practicing some since '58. Glad he didn't change the B part.
listening to him play made me take up the flute meself.
JUST A REAL MASTERPIECE OF JAZZ CLASSICS... ONLY FOR THE JAZZ MESSENGERS....
Thanks for loading this, @Steve Devich. It brings back so many memories of visits to George's Spaghetti House and George's Bourbon Street in the 1970s and 1980s. I saw Moe, Kathryn Moses, Eugene Amaro, the Boss Brass, and so many more. I know Guido Basso was a member of the Boss Brass, and I was looking at this video to see if I could spot any other of its members, besides Ed Bickert, playing here with Guido's band -- specifically Eugene Amaro, Butch Watanabe, and Rob McConnell. Would it be possible for you to modify the description to include the names of all the musicians playing here? Thanks!
Hear him play, Coming Home Baby. His improv.and flute VOICING are great; big sound!
I hear this piece every now and again and my brain goes back to being a kid and watching the end credits roll for TVO's Readalong show. I understand Koffman was also a working studio musician by day in Toronto, I'm betting he played that.
I played that w a Norwegian friend and his Mouthorgan, he could play body and soul too
Wow, this is so great! 😀👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
The first 45 record I ever bought!
Cool tune! Thanks for the share santamara!
Me Too! George's was a great place.
Also heard him many times at George's. He was a greant talent and the group was very good.
koff drops my favorite
my old dentist used to play in Moe Koffman's band, noamsayin'?
Glad you like it..He was a great player.
Love it!
Me too!
George's is unforgettable!
outstanding!
You are so right, Can't believe I did that. 14,500 people didn't notice spelling error till you came along.
Delicious.
To the comment above: You heard Moe Kauffman perform in Toronto many times? Fantastic, historic news. I was a kid of 10 or so when Swingin' Shepard Blues was among the "Fabulous 50" Radio hits of the day. And it was one of the few jazz oriented numbers we were exposed to.
You mentioned that he played alto as well as flute in Toronto. I'm assuming you meant he played alto sax, & doubled on flute. Fascinating! Can you tell us more? What was it like in Toronto at that time? Did he have a good band with him, & was there a happening jazz scene in & around Toronto during those years? Thank you in advance for your invaluable insights.
A trip down Memory Lane to George's Spaghetti House
Good
Nice groove..
recorded sometime between September 1972 and June 1973
heard this one on CKUA!
Yep! Composed by Moe Koffman...NOT Duke Ellington! (A big dummy deejay on KUVO in Denver insists that it was a Duke Ellington composition.)
Cool daddy-o, cool...
Is that better...?
Can anyone tell me if this piece was ever the theme music to a British Comedy Show from years ago. I just remember a Mr Bean type character walking down the road and this music playing.
the trumpets at 01:21 are very pink panther'ish.
P
Many thanks, it took me back many, many years. Loved it then & love it still!