John Bacon, Jr.
2003 Writings

December 17, 2002
ALLEN TINNEY
1921-2002

December saw the sad passing of my mentor and friend Al Tinney. Al's history is documented in the written and audio past of Jazz music so I won't go into detail here. I was unbelievably fortunate to have known, learned from and played music with this true giant of modern music. He was a kind and considerate guy with a warm smile and a gentle heart. His humor was quick like his nimble keyboard fingers. He would light up and lighten up any situation where he could be found. Some memorable moments for me include our first meeting. I was about 20 years old (20 years ago!!) when I wandered into the Cloister on Delaware Ave. at Virginia in Buffalo. Many will remember this as the long running Sunday afternoon jam session that brought so many Buffalo musicians together in the early 1980's. Al was there with Sam Falzone (another of my musical fathers) holding court at that mirror topped piano that the DiLapo family was so proud of. I was amazed at him musically and personally. He was someone whom I wanted to play with and get to know. I was able to sit in that day and eventually landed the gig where we performed on Fri. and Sat. nights and the Sun. Jam for I don't know how many years. This was where I first played with Don Menza, Bobby Militello, Jeff Jarvis and many other Buffalo greats. Al was there through all of it helping me to learn what the drummer's role is in Jazz music and setting an example of how to be a man in this crazy business.

So many incredible times I had spent with him that just a brief list will keep the memories alive. I remember rehearsing for the first gigs with the Al Tinney Trio featuring Peggy Farrel at the juvenile detention center on Best Street. Al was teaching there at the time and we would meet to learn his unique arrangements of Peg's tunes in the center's band room. I think Peter Piccirilli was the first bass player. The Sunday night Jam at Nietzche's with Greg Piontek was hot and fun. Many, many gigs at the Albright Knox Sunday afternoon series both with Sam Falzone and the Buffalo Jazz Workshop and others including the afternoon of August 16, 2001 when I presented a Tribute to Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington and Peg and Al added two great tunes. Gigs with Sabu Adeyola always were grooving and musically inspired. Hanging with Al and Sabu could keep me up in the clouds for days. What a groove on "Just a Lucky So and So". I'll never forget the crazy day when we played what was to be our last Grosvenor Concert Series gig at the Downtown Buffalo Library and Al entertained the crowded Auditorium by taking advantage of the fact that the microphone wasn't working. He seized the theme of the moment (as he so often did) and proceeded to create a comedy routine based on the broken mic. No music, a broken mic, Peggy in the wings, Greg Piontek, Joanne Lorenzo and I standing by and he with the oxygen tank connected still had the people captivated. Incredible!!

Al's Funeral was an awesome assemblage of Buffalo musicians, friends, family... I attended with my father whom Al had played with in the Morgan Street Stompers many years ago. The on Dec. 17 service at St. John Baptist Church Downtown was an inspiring tribute. If a funeral could be a joyful and uplifting event this one succeeded. Afterwards we enjoyed a few beers and some wings at Dan Hull's Tuesday night Jam at Bobby McGee's.

For the record Al told me that he was the leader of the Children's Band in the original production of "Porgy and Bess" on Broadway. This was where George Gershwin sat with him at the piano bench and showed him the inner parts for the musical score. Al often talked about the cello parts. He also told me of how Charlie Parker and Max Roach were part of his group at Minton's. He eventually had to let Bird go. He must have been a real bad cat for Al to kick him out because I never saw Al get that upset with anybody. But I do know he hated drugs. He also said that he taught Max how to finish off a drum so with the cymbals (I got that lesson too!).

I Love You Al and will miss you greatly. Peace and keep swingin' up there.

"Thank you for your kind applause" clapping dies away..."No, no don't stop or she might not come back"
- Al Tinney at a Moll-Olga Benefit at the Mohawk.

January 1, 2003
I had a great time playing in the percussion section of a very skilled orchestra at Mercyhurst College on New Years Day. Musicians from Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland and Erie played Viennese music to ring the New Year. Lyn Harbold Brad Amidon and I held down the percussion section. I really enjoyed spending the day with these two great guys. Lynn was my teacher pre-college and again at UB. He has been an inspiration to me as a musician and a teacher. I find myself using his concepts all the time with my own students. Brad and I attended UB together. We always have in depth talks about drum and cymbal sounds and new music we are hearing and playing.

January 5, 2003
Nice Jam at the Sportsman's with Wally Jederman and Bill Staebell. Saw John Brady, Jim Kurzdorfer, Larry Cheely and Peggy Farrel there. Peggy sounded great!

January 7, 2003
Danny McGee's session was hot. Jeff Jarvis Chu Nero, Michael Jones, Dave Siegfried, Mike Allard, John Sandfort, Mike Kaupa, Joel Siegel, Peggy Farrel all sounding wonderful and way up for the New Year, This can be a cool night but we need more to happen here for the music to stay strong. A wish for the new year is to get two more places happening with Jazz on a regular basis. Let's get it done.

January 11, 2003
Nicholas (my son and occasional roadie) took a harrowing journey through the Southtowns and into ski country. Two destinations on our agenda. Ultimately heading for The Gin Mill in Ellicottville to do a 9-1 gig with Patti Griffis of the sculpture park family. First we were to stop at said park and drop off our sleeping bags and change for the gig. They have some great new cabins down there. Trouble is Lake Erie decided to help dump a couple of feet of snow on the appreciative E-ville ski crowd. We found our way up on that old mountain and circumvented her icy peak but forget trying to find anything but slippery slopes. Eventually we gave up and went straight into town where the packed house was cheering the end of the Steelers and Titans game. Gig was cool with Kevin Doyle on keys and John Werick on the low end. Remember "All or Nothing at All" and a couple of shuffles as being high points. John Brady, Bruce Brucato, Jeff Meister were at Dina's across the street. Nick and I followed Patti and Mark to the park and plowed our way into a spot for the night. Next morning I took a little walk around. Photos to follow.

January 17, 2003
Tony Levin at the Tralf was a snowy get together of Buffalo progressive fans. An instrumental rock ensemble featuring synth colorist Larry Fast and the multi-talented Jerry Marrotta. Jerry played the drums, guitar, sang Zep and Genesis, played sax and told jokes. I hear he operates a studio in the Woodstock area also. Not a flashy rock star guy but a good solid player who seems to enjoy music. Levin played three or four different basses of which the stand up variety had a particularly round and wonderful low end. Overall the ensemble was solid and entertaining. They have been nominated for a Grammy. Good Luck!

I was happy to see Jeff Meirs and Scott Keller whom I haven't hung out with since Christmas parties at Eric and Katherine Starr's a few years ago. Reports are that Eric is doing well and may have an interesting CD on the way. Also saw Nelson jamming with the Party Squad at a downtown bar (the previous week). Amazing talent he. On keys, vocals (ala Sting and Billy Joel), bass...

January 22, 2003
Snow is falling and it has been very cold.
Read: Arthur Taylor "Notes and Tones" (Da Capo). The Dizzy Gillespie Chapter, Unification, Starts on p.121 to get the real deal on the start of Bebop and how Al Tinney was there at the onset and Bird was hangin' at Monroe's Uptown House not Minton's.

Listen: Radiohead "Amnesiac", Bjork "Debut", Alison Kraus + Union Station "New Favorite", Norah Jones "Come Away With Me", Danilo Perez "Motherland", Dave Douglas "The Infinite", Larry Goldings Trio "Sweet Science" Bill Evans "A Night at the Village Vanguard", John Coltrane "Om", The Art Ensemble of Chicago "Urban Bushmen", Paul Motian Trio "Trioism".

Watch: Oliver Stone "Platoon", "Ice Age", Tolkien "The Twin Towers"

January 28
This is 40. Thanks for the raspberry and apple pie, everyone there and a song to make us warm.

January 31
The Wendell Rivera CD release party was a packed affair at La Luna. A nice venue. I hope we get to play there again. We started out shaky and loud but settled into a nice groove about half way through the set. Emile "Papa" Latimer right up next to the stand checking out our groove all night. John Hasselback joined us on trombone. Chu Nero on sax, John Curry on bass, Dave Kayne on vibes, Pat Georger on keys, Wendell on Conga and myself on drums. Also Hector Diaz, who I haven't seen since the recording sessions for this cd well over two years ago, sat in on Jazz Sabor. Hector has such a satisfying and relaxed latin groove. He makes the music free and not mechanical. The crowd was into it.

Chippewa gets stranger all the time. And that is saying alot considering the past...like when Greg Piontek and I sat in the window of the third room and watched two women tumble out of the bar across the street (same place Sam Noto had his wallet stolen). After the one had beat the other into the substantial rear bumper of my father's van, the police rolled up to drag the other to the sidewalk. She refused any help so they left her there. A few minutes later a cab pulled up, guy jumps out, throws her in the back and they are off. Gotta love it.

After the CD release I touched down at the tralf to see the crowd leaving after the Bobby Previte, Charlie Hunter show. Packed crowd and great show from the reports. Steve Baczcowski and I hung with Charlie and Bobby at Mother's after. Charlie, father of two, says he likes to relieve his wife of babysitting when he gets home. "Go do something for yourself ". A sweet guy. Likens his guitar playing to a hammond B-3 player, kicking bass while playing chords and melodies. I will hopefully get to know him a little more as he and Bobby will be the opening act for the Miro tour in England next year. Bobby says "We're going to England", with a big hug and smile. Six dates, three days of rehearsal in London and possible Itailan gigs. Charlie says, "How do you do it!". Bobby works his ass off!! "It's a struggle", He says. I say "We're gonna have fun". Previte replies "Of course we are. Your going to be on tour with me".

February 3
Listen to:
Radiohead "The Bends"
Oregon "Crossing"
John Coltrane " A Love Supreme" The deluxe edition
Miles Davis "Water Babies"
MilesDavis "On the Corner"

I wish I could recommend the Live Diana Krall CD. Great playing, singing, sound and concept. I want her to be more than that. Not enough passion in her voice. Great singers make you love them and want them with their delivery of the song. Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Rickie Lee Jones, Sarah McLaughlin... When Diana sings "Do I love You, Oh My, Do I, Baby Deed I do. Do I want You..." I don't believe her. She doesn't love me and she doesn't want me. So why is she singing this song? She can be so much more than this. I saw her at the Calumet. So I do know. Here's hoping for the next time.

Watch:
Dan rather bring Integrity to the broadcasts of the Columbia tragedy. At first I thought he looked old and out of touch but after a couple of hours of network money grabbing and the other anchors and spokespersons grabbing any little tidbit and turning it into major news I was glad that he had the balls to say that they really had nothing concrete to report except that the thing was gone and watch out for the falling pieces.

Read:
Everything Jamie Moses writes about Mark "Pinnochio" Hamister and don't let Hammy use our money to buy that team.

November 19, 2003

Steve Baczkowski and Mike Hermanson duo opened for Jack Wright (saxes) and Phil Durran (mac laptop) at the newly opened Soundlab. The new space is a great room on the corner of Swan and Pearl (used to be Cheers). With the Pearl Street Brewery just up the street this could be a rebirth zone in way downtown Buffalo. A happening little spot for the adventuresome listeners in Buffalo.

Steve and Mike displayed a sympathy for the resonance of each others instruments and souls. They have been playing together in this format for about a year although I believe this may have been their first gig. Steve was particularly playful on his new didjeridoo. His father traveled to the outback in Australia to choose the hollowed out drone tube with the beautiful aboriginal spirit drawings. The instrument is actually bored out by ants and fire. A truly natural creation. And noone better to connect with that spirit than our man Steve. Mike with his array of mutes, including the ever vibrant pie plate collection, weaved his sound inside of Steve's sax throughout their set. Hermanson's trademark outbursts were there too and the intimate crowd was pleased.

This was also the first gig for smaller combos coming out of the Eulipion experience of 2003. Joe Rozler is doing a solo gig this thursday at the College Street Gallery on Franklin and Mike Allard and I will follow up at the same locale on Nov. 29th. Like the AACM it is important that creative musicians assemble in various combinations to keep our senses in tune and to be able to present our music with whomever is available and whatever the sceneario.

Phil Durran and Jack Wright create soundscapes that remind me of Eno in a way. Very hard to distinguish between their sounds at times. This seemed to be a theme for the evening. A very subdued poetry like performance that was patient and reflective. Enjoyable.

Thanks Soundlab.

Back to News Section
Back to Front Page.