Sloy of Salem, OR wrote:

Hey Doctor Jazz:

I am trying to find out anything I can about Sid Torin's live radio program in NYC in the late 40's, early 50's & wonder if you could steer me in the right direction.

My name is Sloy. I am a writer & pro tem moderator for Beat University, an internet list of beat scholars worldwide. We are tracing down the sounds Kerouac heard On The Road. I'd appreciate greatly any clues you could sent my way.

Sloy:

"Symphony Sid" Torin was active as a jazz DJ and also hosted late night live broadcasts in New York City in the 1940s and 1950s. His airchecks were frequently recorded by a private collector named Boris Rose and they are often the source for live dates such as the Charlie Parker sets from the Royal Roost, most recently heard in Charlie Parker: The Complete Live Performances on Savoy. Torin's hip language and often wild commercial ad-libs, including one for a funeral home, are amusing. Torin retired to Florida and died in 1984.You might try the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers for more information.

Steven Mendelsohn of New York wrote:

Are any of the records Jim Hall recorded for The AM Horizon label or the Artist House label available on CD? If not do you know of any intention to release them on CD?

Steven:

There were three Jim Hall LPs for A&M/Horizon and Artists House:

Jim Hall Live! (A&M/Horizon) Committment (A&M/Horizon) Jim Hall with Red Mitchell (Artists House)

Of the three only Committment has been available as a CD and it is no longer in print. Since Verve now owns all A&M & Artists House masters, don't be surprised if they get around to reissuing all three eventually.

Adam Albright of Omaha, NE wrote:

Hi Ken, you are a man after my own heart. Do you know if "Freedom Now Suite" by Max Roach is available anywhere on CD? I would buy it on LP if it isn't on disc or wasn't scheduled to be issued as a CD. Thank you for your time.

Adam:

I am unaware of Sony's intention to reissue it as a Columbia/Legacy CD any time in the near future, but things could change. Try www.euclidrecords.com or www.redtrumpet.com to see about possibly finding a used LP copy.

C.Jones of Hindhead, Surrey, U.K wrote:

I'm looking for Art Farmer's version of "My One and Only Love"

Mr. Jones:

I've been unable to find a version of "My One and Only Love" on any Art Farmer CD; I have every one of them, but it is possible that he recorded it on any number of his long out of print LPs or as a sideman on another recording. Maybe someone else has it and will pass the info along.

Ron Weiss of Madison, WI wrote:

I am looking for a 2 disc CD: Artie Shaw, "More Last Recordings: The Final Sessions. Musicmasters Records. I would appreciate information where I might be able to purchase the set. Thank you very much,

Ron:

Evidently Musicmasters has folded, so you need to check out sites with clearance and cutout sections. Best bets include www.euclidrecords.com and www.cadencebuilding.com.

Bob Zieff of Carlisle, PA wrote:

There was a Django Reinhardt 10" LP on a Granz label, possibly Clef; he plays electric guitar on this with just a rhythm section in the mid-40s including Confessin' (which he recorded several times), Night and Day, etc. I think it was reissued on a 12"--on one side with Bill Harris (trombone) on the other (which I am also interested in. Is this (or both of them) on CD? Also, the Jerry Jerome Trio including Teddy Wilson on LP or CD?

Bob:

Two versions of "Night and Day" and "I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)" appear on the Django Reinhardt 2 CD set "Peche a la Mouche." There's just a rhythm section on one take of each song, while cornetist Rex Stewart is the leader on the other two versions featuring Django. I believe it's still in print.

Jerry Jerome's 2 CD set "Something Old Something New" (on Arbors Jazz) features Teddy Wilson among many other musicians. It's still in print.

Gregg Niceley of San Francisco, CA wrote:

I have been racking my brain trying to decide where to start 4 and 5 year old boys with Jazz education. I would like to send each of them a jazz cd for their birthday. Do you have and ideas ?

Greg:

My feeling would be to send them jazz CDs with music they might be familiar with, such as tunes from musicals, Disney etc. My suggestions would include:

Dave Brubeck: Dave Digs Disney Columbia/Legacy Phil Wilson: The Wizard of Oz Suite Capri Louis Armstrong: Disney Sings the Satchmo Way Walt Disney

I'm sure that there are many other good choices. All of the above are in print, but don't rely on your local stores to have them in stock; try internet sites if you have the time.

Bruce of Sweden wrote:

I recently watched a tv program the other day and there was this Australian cop who was totally into a trombonist called "Bones Blackwell." I'm sure about the Bones, but Blackwell I'm not to sure about. This was the most chilled music I have heard, really melancholic and beautiful. If you have any idea who this could be please contact me.

Bruce:

Unless that was a documentary you were watching, Bones Blackwell is very likely a fictional character. None of the major jazz trombonists have gone by the nickname of "Bones" on their LP jackets or CD covers, as far as I know.