Greetings Vic...Long time no see,

Did Kenton ever record "Here's That Rainy Day" in the studio? How many recordings of that song did he make? And...

Are there any CD's of Woody Herman's Woodchoppers from the 40's Herman Band?

—Dick Bellach

Greetings, Herr Doktor Bellach,

It has been a long time, hasn't it? That summer in Berlin. I had almost forgotten...the cabaret, the cigarettes, the hefe-weizen. The bombs and the rubble, and the worst thing of all... that terrible schnitzel. And now: You ask not one question but two, my friend?

Kenton did indeed on several different occasions record "Here's That Rainy Day." To wit:

'Round Midnight Concert Hep 2043, 1995
Live at Carthage College Magic 70, 1994
Hits In College Creative World 1074, 1994
Stan Kenton at Fountain Street Status 1014, 1996
Live At Redlands University Creative World 1015, 1994

These are all generally available to a man with your habits and haunts, if you keep your eyes open and wits about you, Doktor Bellach.

Now on to the Herdsman...
You are familiar, I presume, with the expression, "You can't get there from here"? Woody Herman's Woodchoppers did make several recordings, but unfortunately none are available currently. Your Holy Woodchoppers' Grail is:

WoodyHerman's Woodchoppers and the First Herd Verve VSPS-26, 1948
WoodyHerman and His Woodchoppers Columbia CL-6092, 1948
Swingin' With the Woodchoppers Dial 210, 1950

Upon your return to Berlin, Doktor Bellach, please extend my warmest regards to our diminutive friend Chiro. Our companion from the night put me on to a superb Kozluch manuscript.

Case #2

Hello Cool Vic,

Do you know if Herbie Hancock was the featured pianist with any traditional jazz group on a cut of "Con Alma," the original tune by Dizzy Gillespie? Also, who would you consider to be among the best vibes players ever, and do you know of any who may have recorded albums with Freddie Hubbard?

—Martin Slack

Dear Mr. Slack,

Lulu and I beat the bushes (uh...) looking for a Hancock performance on a straight-ahead "Con Alma" and got close but no cigars. I regret not being able to help you.

I am flattered that you ask my opinion about vibe players, because opinions are something I am not short on. I even found one on my list who played with Freddie Hubbard. But first things first...what was your name doing on Lulu's caller ID?

I identify a half dozen vibists as the absolute best. Anybody who don't like it knows where to find me:

• Red Norvo
• Lionel Hampton
• Milt Jackson
• Bobby Hutcherson
• Gary Burton
• Cal Tjader

• Joe Locke
• Stefon Harris
• Bill Ware

If you twist my arm and make me name one, it will be Milt Jackson. No other vibes player possesses the organic command of the blues that Jackson has—just listen to any performance of "Bag's Groove." As for Freddie Hubbard, he made two discs with Bobby Hutcherson, A Little Night Music (Fantasy FCD-9626, 1981) and Keystone Bop Sunday Night (Prestige 24146, 1981).

But you'd better keep your hands off me. Nothing personal, you understand, just business. And business is business.