Back in the 1950s, there was an exodus of Hawaiian Jazz Musicians to the mainland, many of whom set up shop in Los Angeles and New York (particularly Los Angeles). My grandfather, Richard Johnson, was one of these yangpela manmeri (young men, in Pidjin). These were great musicians, including people like my granddads roommate in New York and LA, Big Ed Shonk (one of the great bassists from the island, who even worked for awhile with Louis Armstrong). Most were members of the Royal Hawaiian Band prior to coming to the mainland via military service during the Korean war era. Ive just finished reading a great book by one of these cats....the great GABE BALTAZAR. A disciple of Charlie Parker, He was Stan Kentons lead altoist during the Mellophonium and Neophonic era as well as a top studio musician in Los Angeles during the late 50s and 60s before he left the chaos of the music industry to lead a quiet existence in the islands. The book is entitled if it swings, its music and has been rather revelatory for me to read. Up until September (when I had a chance to talk with my grandmother Darla Johnson about Grandpas time as a Bebopper), I had no idea of my heritage. I had no idea of the role Hawaiian musicians played in the shaping of Los Angeles Jazz scene of the 1950s. I highly recommend everyone read the book. In one scene, Gabe is trading a few solo choruses with Buddy Collette at a Dizzy Gillespie rehearsal (with Gil Fullers band in preparation for the Monterey Jazz Festival) and CHARLES MINGUS is hanging out and watching. Here is what happened: Im playing my solo and Buddy Collettes playing, and were blowing back and forth, then Mingus looks at me and says, “Hey man, whos this cat?” Then he looks at Buddy and says, “Hey man! Dont let that Chinaman outblow you. Blow your horn!” What a badass!!!! So, with all of that, heres a clip of Gabe talking some history! https://youtube/watch?v=agxiO2Gd19c
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 06:26:46 +0000
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