JAM Magazine: August/September 1999 Issue: Correspondence

Bird Lives!
(In More Ways Than One)
Enclosed please find a check for a subscription to JAM; but only if I can get a copy of your April/May issue. That number is the talk in certain jazz circles throughout the ornithological musical scene and I have yet to see a copy.

My name is Ted Joans. I am just a poet and my claim to jazz historical fame is that I invented a term that has become universal: BIRD LIVES! Yes, that's the truth! Ross Russell used my graffiti as the title for his book. Robert Reisner knew about me giving charcoal and chalk to three Bird listeners and instructing them to scrawl on all the subway walls of Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx: BIRD LIVES! And they did just that. But Reisner did not mention that happening, due to the stringent defacement of public places laws.

We "Beat Generationists" got inspired after learning that our fabulous genius had gone-on-to-the-ancestors. Charlie Parker died on Jack Kerouac's birthdate; and years later Jack died on Dizzy's birthdate! Yep -- wow wow -- that is the Jazz Beat Truth! Bird was the breath of the Beat Generation.

Clint Eastwood, who I met during the Paris premiere of his film, told me that he had thought about titling his movie "Bird Lives," but figured that I had copyrighted that bit of graffiti. The Japanese jazz magazine Swing Journal did a special issue devoted to Bird and they did an interview where I informed them that I and my trio of intellectual Bird fans saturated New York City with my "Bird Lives!"

The noted Bird researcher Phil Schaap has, at Columbia University, recorded me for his Birdlore archives. I did know Bird during his Greenwich Village days. I have photos of his attending one of my costume balls. The great photographer Wee Gee was on hand that night and took some shots of Bird.

It would be a feather in my cap if the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors would invite me to Kansas City. I often read my poems with jazz combos. It is rather easy for me since I am a former bopper (trumpet).

For more information about me, see Gale Research Reference Books, Volume 25, C.A.A.S., African-American Poets Since 1955, and The Oxford University Press Companion/African-American Literature -- The Beat Generation: Glory Days in Greenwich Village published by Scribner (and also found in public libraries).

In memory of Charles Parker, Jr.,
Ted Joans
Seattle, WA

An Appreciative Marilyn Maye
Thank you for the copy of the June/July JAM. I'm flattered and really pleased about the Gene Lees comment in Brooks Wright's letter ("Correspondence"). Of course, of all the singers Gene mentioned, I'm the only one still here! Thank God! That's why I'm singing as fast as I can!
Regarding the passing of Joe Williams, he was such a sweet, gentle man. The last time we crossed paths (and verbalized our mutual appreciation) was in Las Vegas. He came to see the show I was doing with Steve Allen. Of course he and Steve were friends, so naturally he came on stage to sit in. He sang with us and we all hung out after the show.

And then I recently returned from Puerto Vallarta to learn the shocking news of Mel Torme's passing. Who will I listen to now? It's another great loss to our singers' world. A tremendous loss. Through the years Mel and I have met and exchanged thoughts on how we must sing what we believe is right for us, no matter what the trends. I'll never forget Mel's last statement to me as I was walking down the hall from his dressing room after one of his shows. He pointed his index finger and said, "Take very good care of yourself, Marilyn... very good care." I said, "Of course, Mel; we couldn't do what we do and not take care..." Four months later he had his stroke. I've often wondered if he had a premonition, even subconsciously. It was such a pointed remark in view of the way he delivered it. We have lost another great voice, and performer, much too soon.

I appreciate the support I receive in JAM, by the way. All 15 of our shows at the Quality Hill Playhouse in May were sold out. Next up in KC is a two-day engagement, September 11-12, at Rockhurst's Rose Theater. We'll be using some of the high school musicians, which will be fun. The show is (appropriately) titled, "Bridging the Musical Gap."

Hope to see everyone there!

Cheers,
Marilyn Maye

(For additional information about Ms. Maye's September 11-12 appearances at Rockhurst High School, call 363-2036 ext. 582. -- Ed.)

This One Says It All
My name is Bassem Nasir and I run the only jazz show in Palestine. My show is called "Night Rhythms," it is on three times a week on "Amwaj 91.5 FM," and it covers Palestine, Israel and Jordan. We also just finished the first Jerusalem Jazz Festival in Arab Jerusalem with the participation of some good people like Franck Amsallem from France, Bradley Williams and his revue from Chicago, Magnus Lindgren from Sweden, the Brasshoppers from the UK... It was quite a rocking festival!

Also, where I live in Ramallah, we are starting to have quite a jazz scene. Every Thursday night a bunch of Palestinian, Israeli and American musicians do a gig at Flamingo's. The band is led by alto player Arnie Lawrence from New York who has played with a lot of greats. A bunch of other gigs also happen during the week.

The reason I am writing with this subject matter is that my other "real" job is managing a computer center for kids. I always have jazz in the background playing on my CD ROM and a number of kids actually groove to it, to my surprise.

Yes, I think there is future for jazz with kids. Not all kids, granted; but hey, it doesn't matter how old you are, you gotta love Ella!

I would love to hear from anyone nearby or far-away.

Peace.
Bassem Nasir
bnasir@hotmail.com

Unissued Recordings Wanted
I'm a good friend of (Jazz Ambassador) Verne Christensen. I was lucky enough to visit Verne, and Kansas City, a couple of times the year before last, and he regularly sends me copies of your excellent magazine, JAM.

I am currently starting a small amount of research for an independent UK record company and am wondering if it is possible to get some mention in JAM. The company is looking for unissued material -- from the 1940s and early '50s, swing and bop, vocalists and bands -- for issue in a new series of collector CDs. They will have comprehensive (and correct!) liner notes, photos and cleaned sound, and full contracts will be issued for all material used.

If any of your readers have such material, please have them send details (dates, personnel, etc.) to me at: Davestonard@tesco.net.
Many thanks and best regards.

Dave Stonard
Surrey, U.K.

Chuck Saults
To Mike Metheny,
Your piece in JAM about Chuck Saults was tremendous. I hope you'll be sure each and every one of his friends gets a copy of it.

I would be surprised if he'd been able to pass his tough editorial eye over your words without it having resulted in a very rare tear.

Thank you very much for sending me a copy.

Best,
Walt Bodine
KCUR-FM
Kansas City, MO

RETURN TO AUGUST 1999 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		Bird Lives! (In More Ways Than One) Enclosed please find a check for a subscription to JAM; but only if I can get a copy of your April/May issue. That number is the talk in certain jazz circles throughout the ornithological musical scene and I have yet to see a copy. My name is Ted Joans. I am just a poet and my claim to jazz historical fame is that I invented a term that has become universal: BIRD LIVES! Yes, that's the truth! Ross Russell used my graffiti as the title for his book. Robert Reisner knew about me giving charcoal and chalk to three Bird listeners and instructing them to scrawl on all the subway walls of Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx: BIRD LIVES! And they did just that. But Reisner did not mention that happening, due to the stringent defacement of public places laws. We "Beat Generationists" got inspired after learning that our fabulous genius had gone-on-to-the-ancestors. Charlie Parker died on Jack Kerouac's birthdate; and years later Jack died on Dizzy's birthdate! Yep -- wow wow -- that is the Jazz Beat Truth! Bird was the breath of the Beat Generation. Clint Eastwood, who I met during the Paris premiere of his film, told me that he had thought about titling his movie "Bird Lives," but figured that I had copyrighted that bit of graffiti. The Japanese jazz magazine Swing Journal did a special issue devoted to Bird and they did an interview where I informed them that I and my trio of intellectual Bird fans saturated New York City with my "Bird Lives!" The noted Bird researcher Phil Schaap has, at Columbia University, recorded me for his Birdlore archives. I did know Bird during his Greenwich Village days. I have photos of his attending one of my costume balls. The great photographer Wee Gee was on hand that night and took some shots of Bird. It would be a feather in my cap if the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors would invite me to Kansas City. I often read my poems with jazz combos. It is rather easy for me since I am a former bopper (trumpet). For more information about me, see Gale Research Reference Books, Volume 25, C.A.A.S., African-American Poets Since 1955, and The Oxford University Press Companion/African-American Literature -- The Beat Generation: Glory Days in Greenwich Village published by Scribner (and also found in public libraries). In memory of Charles Parker, Jr., Ted Joans Seattle, WA An Appreciative Marilyn Maye Thank you for the copy of the June/July JAM. I'm flattered and really pleased about the Gene Lees comment in Brooks Wright's letter ("Correspondence"). Of course, of all the singers Gene mentioned, I'm the only one still here! Thank God! That's why I'm singing as fast as I can! Regarding the passing of Joe Williams, he was such a sweet, gentle man. The last time we crossed paths (and verbalized our mutual appreciation) was in Las Vegas. He came to see the show I was doing with Steve Allen. Of course he and Steve were friends, so naturally he came on stage to sit in. He sang with us and we all hung out after the show. And then I recently returned from Puerto Vallarta to learn the shocking news of Mel Torme's passing. Who will I listen to now? It's another great loss to our singers' world. A tremendous loss. Through the years Mel and I have met and exchanged thoughts on how we must sing what we believe is right for us, no matter what the trends. I'll never forget Mel's last statement to me as I was walking down the hall from his dressing room after one of his shows. He pointed his index finger and said, "Take very good care of yourself, Marilyn... very good care." I said, "Of course, Mel; we couldn't do what we do and not take care..." Four months later he had his stroke. I've often wondered if he had a premonition, even subconsciously. It was such a pointed remark in view of the way he delivered it. We have lost another great voice, and performer, much too soon. I appreciate the support I receive in JAM, by the way. All 15 of our shows at the Quality Hill Playhouse in May were sold out. Next up in KC is a two-day engagement, September 11-12, at Rockhurst's Rose Theater. We'll be using some of the high school musicians, which will be fun. The show is (appropriately) titled, "Bridging the Musical Gap." Hope to see everyone there! Cheers, Marilyn Maye (For additional information about Ms. Maye's September 11-12 appearances at Rockhurst High School, call 363-2036 ext. 582. -- Ed.) This One Says It All My name is Bassem Nasir and I run the only jazz show in Palestine. My show is called "Night Rhythms," it is on three times a week on "Amwaj 91.5 FM," and it covers Palestine, Israel and Jordan. We also just finished the first Jerusalem Jazz Festival in Arab Jerusalem with the participation of some good people like Franck Amsallem from France, Bradley Williams and his revue from Chicago, Magnus Lindgren from Sweden, the Brasshoppers from the UK... It was quite a rocking festival! Also, where I live in Ramallah, we are starting to have quite a jazz scene. Every Thursday night a bunch of Palestinian, Israeli and American musicians do a gig at Flamingo's. The band is led by alto player Arnie Lawrence from New York who has played with a lot of greats. A bunch of other gigs also happen during the week. The reason I am writing with this subject matter is that my other "real" job is managing a computer center for kids. I always have jazz in the background playing on my CD ROM and a number of kids actually groove to it, to my surprise. Yes, I think there is future for jazz with kids. Not all kids, granted; but hey, it doesn't matter how old you are, you gotta love Ella! I would love to hear from anyone nearby or far-away. Peace. Bassem Nasir bnasir@hotmail.com Unissued Recordings Wanted I'm a good friend of (Jazz Ambassador) Verne Christensen. I was lucky enough to visit Verne, and Kansas City, a couple of times the year before last, and he regularly sends me copies of your excellent magazine, JAM. I am currently starting a small amount of research for an independent UK record company and am wondering if it is possible to get some mention in JAM. The company is looking for unissued material -- from the 1940s and early '50s, swing and bop, vocalists and bands -- for issue in a new series of collector CDs. They will have comprehensive (and correct!) liner notes, photos and cleaned sound, and full contracts will be issued for all material used. If any of your readers have such material, please have them send details (dates, personnel, etc.) to me at: Davestonard@tesco.net. Many thanks and best regards. Dave Stonard Surrey, U.K. Chuck Saults To Mike Metheny, Your piece in JAM about Chuck Saults was tremendous. I hope you'll be sure each and every one of his friends gets a copy of it. I would be surprised if he'd been able to pass his tough editorial eye over your words without it having resulted in a very rare tear. Thank you very much for sending me a copy. Best, Walt Bodine KCUR-FM Kansas City, MO RETURN TO AUGUST 1999 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.