[Trombone-l] JJ Johnson's Lament

[Stan Brager]

According to the Lord discography, "Lament" was first recorded in
Hackensack, NJ on August 24, 1954. This was a Jay & Kai session with Billy
Bauer on guitar, Charles Mingus on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. JJ also
recorded "Lament" in 1977 (Yokohama Concert), 1983 (with Milt Jackson
Sextet), 1988 (Village Vanguard) and in 1994 (Tangence with the Robert
Farnon Orch).

Stan 

-----Original Message-----
From: Harry Wootan [mailto:hpw3 at mindspring.com] 
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 8:54 PM
To: 'Patrick & Lisa Bates'; 'Trombone List'
Subject: Re: [Trombone-l] JJ Johnson's Lament

Patrick,

Not much, but this might give you some ideas for notes ...

1. from http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608002973/J-J-Johnson.html

"Johnson's profound influence was made apparent by the wealth of family,
friends, and members of the jazz community who attended his funeral. Nine
trombonists filled the alter, among them Slide Hampton, Steve Turre, and
Robin Eubanks, to perform Johnson's standard piece 'Lament'."

2. from http://www.rayashley.com/superlink/jj.htm

"I think that a lot of the music [JJ] wrote deserves to be played more by
other jazzmen, though only one of his songs 'Lament' was placed in the old
(illegal) 'Real Book', and none are in the New (legal) 'Real Book'."

and

"[Lament] is a great, complex, heartfelt ballad that he recorded several
times.  I lke the original best, but the version he recorded with Milt
Jackson is also very moving.  The chord changes listed in 'The Real Book'
are not quite right (though they sound fine).  I saw the manuscript version
in 'The Musical World of JJ Johnson' and I base my performances of the tune
from that, as well as some of the recorded versions I have analyzed."

3. from http://www.geocities.com/bourbonstreet/2418/gallery.html

"The first Jay and Kai sessions, on Savoy. ... This was the first recording
of J. J.'s classic tune, Lament"

  - Harry


-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick & Lisa Bates [mailto:plbates at netrover.com] 
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 3:08 PM
To: Trombone List
Subject: [Trombone-l] JJ Johnson's Lament


I've been searching the net for information and can't seem to find what I
want. I've come up with a date of 1954 and not much else. I need some
program notes for a community band concert a few weeks from now, just me and
a jazz trio. Can anyone help?

Patrick Bates
Chatham Concert Band
 Primitive Roots