Didn't know you were such a fan. You probably know all about his history, starting out as a drummer, breaking his leg, switching to bass, etc etc. The man's musicianship was(is) sick. And as far as I'm concerned you can talk about him or any other musician you like over and over. You'll never be flogging a dead horse (jeeze, I hate that saying) with me 'cause I understand completely your passion. People who equate influence with imitation need to open up their Websters. Imitating and impersonating are close 'relatives'. John Coltrane was deeply influenced by Ravi Shankar but anyone who says that Coltrane imitated, copied, or impersonated him is an asshat (thanks for that word, Mr Fog). To be influenced in the world of art is not to copy. It is to assimilate in your own words or actions that which has inspired you. Ech, I'm sick of hearing myself talk about this. I'm here to have fun, not to have philosophical debates about jazz musicians. Been there, done that.
i've read books about Jaco. but from point of view, music saved my life. in no uncertain terms. i'd either be dead or a serial killer. as a kid, i portable radio, real tin sounding. when stereos got cheap, the one thing my mom would do for me, was buy me a new record player every year. and the big difference, was BASS. so i grew to love bass, big time. and Jaco was the best. but he was also bipolar and into drugs. his perty buddy was Hiram Bullock, who i also like. Hiran died a few years back cuz of drugs.
now, Mr John Coltrane. his mentor was Thelonious Monk. and i adore Monk! outside of Todd Rundgren, he's my favorite musician. he also suffered from mental illness. when Trane got kicked out of Miles' band for drug use, he became close friends with Monk. he'd go get him out of bed and Monk would explain his music theory to him. when Monk got his cabaret card back, which he lost cuz he wouldn't squeal on his best friend, Bud Powell, Trane was in the quartet. much of the time at the 5 Spot, was Trane blowing and Monk dancing. and Monk don't dance if the sax player ain't hitting it.
the next year, when Monk played Carnegie, his sax player, maybe Johnny Griffin, wasn't available. Trane stepped up. that recording, is Trane showing his love for Monk, and Monk having a blast. Monk wrote bebop, but played stride. his idol was James P Johnston. i used to think that Miles' Kind of Blue. was the greatest jazz recording ever. until i hear the Monk Trane at Carnegie Hall.
in fact, this song, Monk's Mood, may be the most spectacular 7 minutes in Jazz history. your hear Trane the leader and Monk just going to town, comping behind him. i always liked the song, but i remember hearing it, the day it came out. i almost cried. i remember Elizabeth, the store owner. i kept shushing her until...Trane came in. i was like, "now listen!"
and you should listen,too. you can hear that Monk is playing stride and Trane show everything he's gonna play in the next few years:
