Weekend Wax Bits

Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com

Today is Clark Terry's 93d birthday. Happy birthday, Clark! And some great news—Clark tells me he has picked up the trumpet and is blowing again, which is terrific to hear indeed.

"You're giving me so much love I've decided to get serious about playing my horn again. I tried to blow a few notes a while back and it sounded like the south end of a north-bound bear. After that, I decided to just keep on singing and doing Mumbles and let the horn rest. But when Gwen told me of everyone's support, I said, 'Well, if my friends are doing that for me, then I've got to give it my all. I've got to try harder to play again.'

"So, tonight, I put my horn to my lips and kept at it. And I'll do the same thing tomorrow. I can see that I've gotten really rusty because it's been a while. But you've encouraged me so much until I believe I can do it. Gwen reminded me of the time when I had to learn to walk again after my back surgery in 1991. It took six weeks, but  I made it. I can't make any promises about how long it's going to take for me to play again. But with so many friends being kind enough to cover my home-care needs and with Big Prez on my side, I've made up my mind: I'm going to work hard everyday, get my chops together, and do what it takes. More than anything, I want to thank you all for not giving up on me. I'm very, very grateful that you're still in my corner. That means the world to me. I love you, and God bless you!" [Photo of Clark Terry above at the Montery Jazz Festival in 1981 by Brian McMillen]

To donate to Clark's at-home care, go here.

Here's the Clark Terry Quintet with Bob Brookmeyer on the BBC's Jazz 625...

Here's the Quincy Jones big band with Clark...

Here's Clark Terry with Phil Woods in 1959...

Talkin' tinsel on NPR. Last week I was on NPR's massively popular Morning Edition with Steve Inskeep to chat about my six holiday-CD picks for The Wall Street Journal. You can listen to the segment for free by going here (scroll down until you see my name and then click on the circular icon). 

Speaking of The Wall Street Journal, today I interview Maria Kowroski, a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, on her favorite song. Maria is currently performing in George Balanchine's “The Nutcracker” (go here or please pick up the paper). See three superb videos of Maria in action here.

Bill Evans radio. Saxophonist and educator Bill Kirchner will host a one-hour Jazz From the Archives show on the Bill Evans Trio, featuring bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Marty Morell. The group remained together from 1968 to 1974 and recorded extensively. Tune in on Sunday on your computer from anywhere in the world starting at 11 p.m. (EST). [Pictured above, from left: Bill Evans, Eddie Gomez and Marty Morell]

Time for a Dusty break. Director Raymond De Felitta sent along a clip yesterday featuring Dusty Springfield singing A House Is Not a Home with the song's co-writer Burt Bacharach at the piano...

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Used with permission by Marc Myers