Carl Fontana with the late Pete Jolly on piano (died 2004) Chuck Berghofer on bass, and Joe La Barbera on drums. The tune "If I only had a brain" from the film "The wizard of Oz"
I love his Keep It Simple Stupid method. I feel like jazzbonist today try to add so many ornamintatons that they lose any melodic structure. Mr. Fontana has such a beautiful blend.
His slide is so smooth and his movement so fast, yet his sound is quiet and elegant, something most trombonists strive to achieve. I know I definitely do.
All my favourite guys! Had a luck to spend 4 years on the same stage with Carl at the SANDS, Joe and I went to school in Boston together, Chuck is my favorite bass player and the only person I did not work and knew personally was Pete Jolly. Always loved his playing though. How lucky IN LIFE can you get! I lived and still live JAZZ - better than ANYTHING!
I met Carl one day after this recording- did the same concret again in nuremberg . His Nurse wrote to me and said that that next day way his last concert ever- it seemed, he told her that.
Worked with Chuck many times in LA. He told me that Carl’s dementia was so bad they had to take him to and from his room during this tour and yet when he got on stage and the tune was counted off he was fine. The irony of the song title and what Carl was dealing with makes this that much more poignant. Last time I saw Chuck was at Jack Sheldon’s memorial at Catalina’s in Hollywood. I worked with Jack for 25 years. Chuck was also the bass player on “These Boots Were Made For Walking”
An excellent selection from a nice DVD of performances in Germany. Despite health problems, Carl Fontana is superb as usual, and Pete Jolly, what more can you say; he was a powerhouse on piano who enriched every recording he played on. A fine performance all around, refreshing take on an old movie tune.
this man was a KNOCKOUT pete as well two of the finest musicians of our time.they have given me so much joy through my lifetime and for that i applaud them [loudly] many thanks.
Beautiful economy of effort on Fontana's part and I particularly love Jolly's intro' ; packed in those few bars is a beautifully seasoned sound of a master. I think he was playing better than ever!
Responding to "Jim martin, 2 years ago". Just hitting the "thumbs up" like icon isn't enough. I smile too. I SMILE TOO! That's a great tribute, we think, that the music makes us SMILE.
@basstbones This is the basic progression: Bb-Gm7/Cm7-F7/Bb-Eb7/Dm7-G7 Cm7/F7/Bb-Gm7/Cm7-F7 Bb-Gm7/Cm7-F7/Bb-Eb7/Dm7-G7 Cm7/F7/Bb-Gm7/Fm7-Bb7 EbMaj7-Em7b5-A7/Dm7-G7/Cm7-F7/Bb/ Am7(b5 maybe)-D7/Gm/C7/Cm7-F7/ Bb-Gm7/Cm7-F7/Bb-Eb7/Dm7-G7 Cm7/F7/Bb-Gm7/Cm7-F7
As far as i know, Carl said, that this was his second last concert. A day later he played with this band in Nürnberg ( i was there )- his last concert.
Even at less than the height of his powers, this man made so much music it was simply stunning; though he's gone now, his linear concept will live forever -on it's own, and through his MANY disciples, whether trombonists or others- and his musical cleverness and sophistication (when was the last time you heard someone quote "The Mexican Hat Dance?) were in a league of their own. Carl was an old friend of my family (from LSU days), and I'm grateful to the person who posted this- THANK YOU!!
Beautiful sound. Very reminiscent of Ferdinand Pavel who played tenor sax with Maynard Ferguson. The sound is like have sound, half air. Beautiful. Thanks for the upload!
@dubya13207 Now that makes me almost cry and I'm no wimp. My dad has Vascular Dementia (similar to Alzheimers) & even though he was a truck driver, I sure wouldn't put him behind the wheel. Anyway, when I play my trombone, Carl's style: slide technique, tone, use of doodle tonqueing, not over blowing are some things I keep in mind when I know I'm playing the best I possibly can. Carl had it all! WE NEED MORE CARL FONTANA ON YOU TUBE!
Thanks for the chords Ted jr. Bone around the world are probably in their back rooms watching this and practicing it up for a performance of 20. i know I will be. It's such a cute song. Many thanks, J
I like this small group getter than Don Menza's big band arrangement. Chuck is great as always and I just wonder, if Joe made the German recording. Te bass player is sure different, but sounds also very good. The small group has a different feel - just right, for this lovely and simple song.
Notice the nut there at the top of the main brace? I'm not sure about other brands, but the Edwards trombones have removable bells with the threads right there. If I had to guess, I'd say Edwards T302. Could be mistaken and I'm not totally sure, so don't start posting comments about how much I don't know about anything, because I already admitted it.
@Dumpinbeats . There are also Jamey Abersold CD's with books that have chords... and Many other chord study courses. Hey, you might even find some here on UTube...
Are you sure? I honestly thought he was the inspiration when I first saw a picture of him, but I tried to look it up and I couldnt find any thing that said he was..
No kidding.I just learned I have Vascular Dementia.I've had it for about a year or two.I have a friend who was a jazz trombonist who has had dementia for years.He knew all those guys and gigged with Quincy Jones when he was in college in Seattle,Washington in the '40s.As for me,I plan to keep on going.I play all the brass,keyboards,some of the reeds and strings and have been a jazz historian for about fifty-five years.I turned sixty eight this May.I have a big band site on Facebook.
Whenever I need to smile, I listen to this on UA-cam.
I love his Keep It Simple Stupid method. I feel like jazzbonist today try to add so many ornamintatons that they lose any melodic structure. Mr. Fontana has such a beautiful blend.
OMG Jolly's solo is out of this world. An insanely swinging laser-attack!
Pete Jolly is amazingly gifted. His improvising is endlessly creative. This a great video all the way around.
His slide is so smooth and his movement so fast, yet his sound is quiet and elegant, something most trombonists strive to achieve. I know I definitely do.
I felt so moved during Pete's solo that I yelled. Hey, somebody at the performance felt the same way!!!
All my favourite guys!
Had a luck to spend 4 years on the same stage with Carl at the SANDS, Joe and I went to school in Boston together, Chuck is my favorite bass player and the only person I did not work and knew personally was Pete Jolly. Always loved his playing though.
How lucky IN LIFE can you get! I lived and still live JAZZ - better than ANYTHING!
I met Carl one day after this recording- did the same concret again in nuremberg . His Nurse wrote to me and said that that next day way his last concert ever- it seemed, he told her that.
Worked with Chuck many times in LA. He told me that Carl’s dementia was so bad they had to take him to and from his room during this tour and yet when he got on stage and the tune was counted off he was fine. The irony of the song title and what Carl was dealing with makes this that much more poignant. Last time I saw Chuck was at Jack Sheldon’s memorial at Catalina’s in Hollywood. I worked with Jack for 25 years.
Chuck was also the bass player on “These Boots Were Made For Walking”
An excellent selection from a nice DVD of performances in Germany. Despite health problems, Carl Fontana is superb as usual, and Pete Jolly, what more can you say; he was a powerhouse on piano who enriched every recording he played on. A fine performance all around, refreshing take on an old movie tune.
This is how I loved to hear Carl Fontana - just gentle swinging along. Great track and Pete Jolly - who could ask for anything more?
I'm with the guy in the audience, the yell, the whistle. GREAT!
I simply love this version. What a talented group of musicians... Thanks so much for sharing
this man was a KNOCKOUT pete as well two of the finest musicians of our time.they have given me so much joy through my lifetime and for that i applaud them [loudly] many thanks.
Beautiful economy of effort on Fontana's part and I particularly love Jolly's intro' ; packed in those few bars is a beautifully seasoned sound of a master. I think he was playing better than ever!
Carl & Company make it sound soooo easy, simple, and beautiful.
Great musicians. Pete Jolly swung! This was a perfect setting for Carl.
Great musician and sadly missed
Love this for years..Pete and Carl. and the gang
Responding to "Jim martin, 2 years ago". Just hitting the "thumbs up" like icon isn't enough. I smile too. I SMILE TOO! That's a great tribute, we think, that the music makes us SMILE.
Notice how damn melodic every player is? A pleasure to listen to.
So much respect for him and all the players on the stage.
This was pure joy !!!
I have tears in my eyes just listening and recalling that great jazz era.
CuzzinVinni
Carl was a master and that's an understatement.
I play jazz bass trombone, and this guy right here is inspiring me to play tenor trombone in combo things. And, I LOVE HIS QUOTE!
Just the greatest, What a group . . . (God how I miss Pete Jolly)
Lots of styles from lots of great players over the many years but Carl - WOW - such a pleasure to listen to!
Priceless! Carl was the greatest!!
Not many people can play with such grace; let alone at that age. .
:(
Great tune with the Master backed by tasty drumming by Mr. LaBarbera. Solid solo by Pete Jolly!
I've listened to this over and over and get something new from it each time.
One of the greatest if not THE greatest
W O N D E R F U L. !!!! Thx a lot for sharing.
This is so incredible, my favorite work of Carl's.
@basstbones
This is the basic progression:
Bb-Gm7/Cm7-F7/Bb-Eb7/Dm7-G7
Cm7/F7/Bb-Gm7/Cm7-F7
Bb-Gm7/Cm7-F7/Bb-Eb7/Dm7-G7
Cm7/F7/Bb-Gm7/Fm7-Bb7
EbMaj7-Em7b5-A7/Dm7-G7/Cm7-F7/Bb/
Am7(b5 maybe)-D7/Gm/C7/Cm7-F7/
Bb-Gm7/Cm7-F7/Bb-Eb7/Dm7-G7
Cm7/F7/Bb-Gm7/Cm7-F7
As far as i know, Carl said, that this was his second last concert. A day later he played with this band in Nürnberg ( i was there )- his last concert.
Even at less than the height of his powers, this man made so much music it was simply stunning; though he's gone now, his linear concept will live forever -on it's own, and through his MANY disciples, whether trombonists or others- and his musical cleverness and sophistication (when was the last time you heard someone quote "The Mexican Hat Dance?) were in a league of their own. Carl was an old friend of my family (from LSU days), and I'm grateful to the person who posted this- THANK YOU!!
this is nice, don't think iv quite herd a sound as smooth, clear and yet still so outspoken as this...
Top Banana, music don't get much better than this!!!!!
Beautiful sound. Very reminiscent of Ferdinand Pavel who played tenor sax with Maynard Ferguson. The sound is like have sound, half air. Beautiful. Thanks for the upload!
Really great music I love it !
Cómo me encanta esta versión caray!
Masters at work
Fontana was a gum chewing monster. Bless him and Mr. Jolly.
Great video! His playing is so fluent that's awesome!
Frank was a classic. One of the all time best....
Fabulous..
やはり,,、ｊａｚｚはいいね！色んな場面に出逢えるステキなツール
Pete Jolly on the keys. Sweet Jesus. Now I can go to my grave happy . . . .
@dubya13207 Now that makes me almost cry and I'm no wimp. My dad has Vascular Dementia (similar to Alzheimers) & even though he was a truck driver, I sure wouldn't put him behind the wheel. Anyway, when I play my trombone, Carl's style: slide technique, tone, use of doodle tonqueing, not over blowing are some things I keep in mind when I know I'm playing the best I possibly can. Carl had it all! WE NEED MORE CARL FONTANA ON YOU TUBE!
@Lasford7 i read that near the end, he couldn't even tell you what a trombone was. but put one in his hand and he was a monster same as always
Thanks for the chords Ted jr.
Bone around the world are probably in their back rooms watching this and practicing it up for a performance of 20. i know I will be. It's such a cute song.
Many thanks,
J
Love the snippet of the 'Mexican Hat Dance' at about 1.43! A perfect fit!
He makes it look so effortless.
Still effortless
Carl's solo is fun, but in this piece I was amazed at the laid back fluidity of this piano player (need to know his name). !!
His name was Pete Jolly, incase you were wondering 7 years later.
He looks so relaxed when he is playing, especially his slide hand.
Great take on a great song!
This is yum yums
I love how he missed a note at 1:19, otherwise I wouldn't believe that he was human
I concur
It sounded kind of weird actually, I wonder what was up with that
Piano solo at 2:45 on repeat!!!
Those Italians Kick ass on the T-Bone!
Bravo
I'm trying to copy this song on my own, and here I am with my trombone failing hard.
泣けます。。。
Wicked intro.. I'm borrowing that.. Lol
Man i always wish i met pete jolly, unfortunately i we introduced to the family after he had past
Comienzo de fin de semana....
Great band. Who plays better than Joe LaBarbera? Who????
ua-cam.com/video/kgDPeb7jXq4/v-deo.html
I didn't know the movie Up took his likeness. Right on.
i ve always thought his solos were some of the best
Great music. Really swings
I like this small group getter than Don Menza's big band arrangement. Chuck is great as always and I just wonder, if Joe made the German recording. Te bass player is sure different, but sounds also very good.
The small group has a different feel - just right, for this lovely and simple song.
To pollyparamedic: Actually, the original key for this song was E flat (it's played here in B flat).
I wonder, if Carl Chose this song on purpose, being severely brain sick on that tour ( alzheimers)
Did you ever get your hands on the chords for Carl fontana's If I Only Had a Brain. If you did I would love to know
Notice the nut there at the top of the main brace? I'm not sure about other brands, but the Edwards trombones have removable bells with the threads right there. If I had to guess, I'd say Edwards T302. Could be mistaken and I'm not totally sure, so don't start posting comments about how much I don't know about anything, because I already admitted it.
Pete Jolly (it's in the description)...
@Dumpinbeats .
There are also Jamey Abersold CD's with books that have chords... and Many other chord study courses. Hey, you might even find some here on UTube...
This is how I wish I could play.
You and 100 million other musicians.
I take it this session is not available on cd or dvd. If I'm wrong,
someone tell me how to get it.
灰汁の無いステキなＣａｒｌ Ｆｏｎｔａｎａ,,,（ ＾ω＾）・・・good
Yes!!! If you want ultimate total trombone ecstacy listen to vids of Frank with Frank Rosolino or with Bill Watrous!
can someone please tell me what year this was recorded in?
thanks!
@asmith0887 I'm workin' on the transcription but I'm a bit of a dumbo so it will be a while and probably won't be right, but hey, it all helps.
I didn't know Bob Saget played drums!
Are you sure? I honestly thought he was the inspiration when I first saw a picture of him, but I tried to look it up and I couldnt find any thing that said he was..
Joe La Barbera
does he do the Mexican Hat dance in his solo?
1:44 was that a Mexican Hat Dance quote?
It sped up 3:34.
@zchacm2 intentional
am I the only one who noticed the mexican dance link at 1:44? lol
if only i had a brain...
He goes for a second like 'huh? Crap :/ " haha :p
Tempo creeping a bit, hate that. From such a great drummer as labs era strange.
Critics of Tim Keller
And think that at the same he was battling Alzheimer's.... Wow! BRAVO!!!!
No kidding.I just learned I have Vascular Dementia.I've had it for about a year or two.I have a friend who was a jazz trombonist who has had dementia for years.He knew all those guys and gigged with Quincy Jones when he was in college in Seattle,Washington in the '40s.As for me,I plan to keep on going.I play all the brass,keyboards,some of the reeds and strings and have been a jazz historian for about fifty-five years.I turned sixty eight this May.I have a big band site on Facebook.
fanfabolus- the person whisiling in the crowed as certainly not got a brain -there is always one / who spoils it .madjazzmike
This isn't classical. You're allowed to cheer.
Hey, Pete made me shout too! HEY! YEA!
The original is is F, I don't think this is in F.