Ken Dryden

Charles from New York City wrote:

I'm looking for a set of LPs put out by Hi-Fly, one of which I've looked for decades to find! I'm referring to the four LPs: Randy Weston "Informal Solo" (P-101), Roland Hanna "Informal Solo" (P-102), Tommy Flanagan "Informal Solo" (P-103), and Dizzy Gillespie '46 Live (H-01). Now, I know the series exists because I own all EXCEPT the Flanagan. Never seen it. Auction List,ads,trade shows,swaps-NOTHING. Any leads as to whether this item was actually released?

Charles:

I could only find a trace of the Weston LP on the web and I've never heard of ANY of these LPs, let alone the Hi-Fi label. Since the Weston LP is supposedly from 1974 and the rather unimaginative titles suggest that these were rather limited edition bootlegs. I can't say one way or the other as to whether the Flanagan LP was ever released; maybe they went bankrupt or got busted prior to its release.

Dave Todd from Ft.Worth, TX wrote:

I have 2 old Dick and Kiz Harp LPs. One is autographed by both in addition to Reinie Press. In better than VG+ condition, would you know the approximate value of this famous Dallas duo's record in such conditon? Thank you.

David:

I'm afraid that this Dallas duo evidently never achieved much in the way of attention outside their immediate area, so it is hard to assess demand for such releases. Dallas based record dealers would have a better idea of putting a value on them.

Josef Havemann from Cologne, Germany wrote:

IÅœm looking for Mosaic LP sets by Hank Mobley and Bud Shank. Do you know a market for those hard to find LP sets?

Josef:

Almost anyone who offers an out of print Mosaic set sor sale is likely to auction it. I would bet that ebay would be the most likely place to find them. One exception is audiophileusa.com, though they don't have either of these titles in stock right now. Expect to pay as much as $40-$50 per disc for them. Good luck.

Charlie Kleiner from Issaquah, WA wrote:

Can you give any tips on finding information on Billy Arnold's Novelty Jazz Band. I'm trying to get any biography info...in particular on Charles Kleiner, trumpet. I understand that you are limited on time and respect that. If you can only point the direction, I'm having a tough time of it. Thanks.

Charlie:

Billy Arnold, a British jazz pianist, evidently only recorded around 3 times between 1920-1923. Tom Lord's Jazz Discography identifies a total of 18 tracks attributed to this band (the first four songs remain unissued), and it isn't clear if Charles Kleiner is present on each session. I find no record of Kleiner recording on any other sessions, but complete personnel lists weren't always made by record labels during that era. I would have no idea who might have these 78 rpm discs, though it is possible that the latter two sessions could be in the library of either the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers or the Hogan Jazz Archives at Tulane University. It seems unlikely that this material was ever reissued on LP, let alone CD.

Sorry I can't provide more information.

Calvester Smith from Baltmore, MD wrote:

I'm trying to get a DVD by Clint Eastwood After Hours, Live at Carnegie Hall. Thanks for any info on this DVD.

Calvester:

I just recently purchased this DVD and I was greatly disappointed. Though most all of the music is good (Jimmy Scott is an acquired taste and the singer who performed "'Round Midnight" was rather weak), whoever produced it felt the need to splice in parts of Eastwood's films, sometimes with dialogue, right in the middle of many of the performances. It got particularly silly when movies such as "Unforgiven" had no jazz content in them at all. Several dealers at half.com have had this DVD available, so it shouldn't be hard to find, but be forewarned if you expect the music to be uninterrupted.

Stav Raniere from Lakewood, CA wrote:

I'm looking for a piece I heard on KKJZ this morning featuring Elvin Jones with Sonny Fortune on sax and a horn or two accompanying. Possibly the tune was called "Change of Fortune" but I may be getting that mixed up with Sonny's name. It was fabulous. Any idea what CD this is on, or what it's called, so maybe I can buy it?

Stav:

The only song I've located which features Elvin Jones and Sonny Fortune together with the word "change" in its title is "A Change is Gonna Come," an old Sam Cooke tune that appears on Elvin Jones' Enja CD 'It Don't Mean a Thing..." You might try searching the web site of the station to see if they post playlists.

Barnaby Everett from Birmingham, England wrote:

I'm looking for an album called 'Clifford Brown and Max Roach Live at the Beehive'. I've heard rumours of how incredible it is and have some transcriptions but have never been able to find the actual album. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Barnaby:

I own a copy of this two record set, which was available briefly from Columbia during the 1970s. Best bets to find a copy: www.eucldrecords.com and www.vinylvendors.com, with www.gemm.com an alternative (though prices tend to run high through dealers listed there).

Don Emanuel from Gillingham, Kent, UK wrote:

I have a vinyl copy (well worn now) of Irish guitarist Louis Stewart's album called "Louis the First", which has the most exhilarating version of "All the Things You Are", with just bass and drums accompanying, that I've ever heard and I've been listening to jazz for over 50 years. Has this ever been available on CD, as the mixture from Stewart of solo, duo and trio items is one of the best examples of guitar jazz ever recorded and I'd love to have it on CD (without all the scratches and clicks. Cheers Ken.

Don:

To the best of my knowledge, Louis Stewart's 'Louis the First' (an LP recorded for Hawk Jazz in Dublin, Ireland in 1975) hasn't been reissued on CD, but I don't exactly run across Irish jazz releases that often.

Michael Hewitt from Harpswell, Maine wrote:

I am looking for recordings and information about a jazz musician named Jerry Lloyd. He played trumpet, lived in New York and probably recorded in the 1940's-1950's.

Mike:

Jerry Lloyd's first recording as a sideman was with George Wallington in an octet that included Gerry Mulligan (he alos appeared on other Wallington discs), he also appears on Mulligan Plays Mulligan, Harvey Leonard: Jazz Ecstacy (Keynote LP), Jutta Hipp with Zoot Sims (Blue Note CD), Zoot Sims Quartet/Quintet (sessions for Dawn under various titles), Gerry Mulligan: The Arranger (Columbia CD), David X. Young Jazz Loft (Jazz Magnet CD, though he isn't listed). I haven't found any other leaders he recorded with, and no information after 1959.

Bill Cook from Centreville, VA:

I have a 12 record set of "The RCA Victor Encyclopedia of Recorded Jazz" from the Jazz Club of America. The marketing material I have with the set says it was available on the "Convenient Album-A-Week Plan" for 99 cents each! I know it is a repackaged collection of jazz tunes - but there are some really good cuts from artists long forgotten by now. The vinyl is 33 1/3 10 inch discs produced by and with comments written by Bill Grauer and Orrin Keepnews.

Can you tell me what year these were released and are they worth anything as collectors items?

Bill:

These twelve records were released in 1956. Unfortunately, compilations of this sort rarely have much value since they usually consist of material collectors already have. You can check with dealers but I bet they'll say they'll be lucky to sell them for $5 a disc.

Nick Apostlides from Melbourne, Australia wrote:

I have two CDs by Lyle Mays; Self-titled from 1986 & Street Dreams from 1988. My question is: do you know of any subsequent CDs released by Lyle?

Nick:

There have been several CDs released by Lyle Mays in addition to the two you mentioned, shown below with release dates and labels:

1990 Peter Rabbit & 2 More Stories Windham Hill

1992 Fictionary Geffen

2000 Solo: Improvisations for Expanded Piano Warner

Scott Harris from London, England wrote:

I'm trying to track down a CD of "Satchmo Remembered" by Dick Hyman, for my Uncle who is a big jazz fan, but I've not been having any success. Could you recommend anywhere where I may be able to purchase the CD (preferably online)? Thanks for your time.

Scott:

The reason you're having trouble tracking down this CD is that this 1974 concert, with pianist Dick Hyman leading the New York Repertory, was only issued on LP by Atlantic. It seems unlikely to be reissued in the near future. It's a good record!