Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
A jazz musician who composed the acclaimed Under Milk Wood suite, and was a celebrated resident pianist at Ronnie Scott's Club.
On the island
Eight records
Well this was recorded down at the old place. It's A Night with Zoot Sims. It's a nice reminder of those times and I can listen to me having a good time.
Kenny Nappa introduced me to this. … I was completely enchanted with it. I love it. … Also the harmonies, some of the harmonies you hear? Echoes of Revelle's harmonies in Ellington's music.
I guess you could say he was a genius, really. He uh was part of the Bebop movement. And I've always loved his playing. and I'd like to have this one with me.
Mood IndigoFavourite
Jukes been a really big influence on my music. Uh I I love listening to everything he does.
Another influence. I've been fortunate enough to hear. Monk Play Live Quite a few times. A strange character, but a a great musician, great jazz musician
I used to hang out with a A musician called Kenny Graham. He was very much into African music. You know, and we used to have big big discussions about how jazz came from Africa.
New York Philharmonic, conducted by Leonard Bernstein
no particular reason for this one, I just happen to like Stlavinsky.
is by Clark, it's his composition and arrangement.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:30What was it like [at Ronnie Scott's in the 60s]?
It was tremendous fun. The atmosphere in the old place. was something I'd never encountered before or since. You know, it was all about the music, the people who came there. It was just a great time.
Presenter asks
2:40What did [playing at Ronnie Scott's] mean to you?
I was playing the music that I love to play. with uh quality musicians. … I learned a lot during that period, you know, about the music.
Presenter asks
5:47Is the writing of [your music] an easy business once you've found this hook, or is it a painful process?
It's long and tedious. I mean, sometimes you get lucky and uh you know, it writes itself. And there are other times where it it's uphill all the way. It's really a lonely business. You know, you look at what you've written. And you have visions of the musicians chuckling up their sleeve at some of the stuff you've written.
Presenter asks
The keepsakes
The luxury
Video of the film 'Oh, Mr. Porter!'
I absolutely adore that film, I've seen it so many times and I never get tired of watching it.
How bad was [your burnout after leaving Ronnie Scott's]?
Bad. Um, I was completely poop. I I did very little for two years. I wanna left on his argus. creeping about. Like an old man.
Presenter asks
23:42Do you feel you paid the price for being too purist about it all?
Not really. Not I am. quite selfish um when it when it comes to music. I didn't even consider it. And certainly Jackie didn't. get on to me to do it. I mean, she believed totally in what I was doing, still does.
Presenter asks
29:59What's your favorite [context to play in]?
Caught it With larger groups th there's a certain amount of structure. But with a quartet. If you're playing with the right people, the music can go anywhere, at any time.
“I thought Life was a big movie. I thought, you know, the good guys always came out on top and Bab were punished. And that stuck with me for a long, long time.”
“I wanted to become a postman. I'll have a nice pension by now. It had appealed to me just sort of walking about, delivering letters, not talking to anybody.”
“He knows. Everything I'm gonna do before I know it. Um which is bit disconcerting at times. I mean, he really does. Sometimes I'll I'll do something and he's right with me'cause he knew I was gonna do it. And I thought, oh, wasn't it terrible to be that predictable?”