The splendid jazz drummer and jazz scholar Hal Smith and I share certain serious devotions. One is to the pianist Frank Melrose and his daughter Ida; another is to the clarinetist and brave explorer Frank Chace.
Hal has emerged with yet a third talent to share (generously) with us: he has created a beautiful and lively video tribute to Mister Chace, with a glorious soundtrack of SORRY — played by Marty Grosz and his Honoris Causa Jazz Band from the Riverside recording called HOORAY FOR BIX — as well as a panorama of rare, never-before-seen, highly evocative photographs that open the door to understanding Frank Chace a little wider.
Thank you, Hal! Frank would be amused, perplexed, and I think pleased by your creative act of love. Ultimately, he would be delighted that someone who understood the music so well — and played it with equal grace — had taken the time to honor him:
Hal and Frank can be heard together on two rewarding and illuminating CD sets on the Jazzology label — one with Butch Thompson, John Otto, and Charlie DeVore; the other with Tom Pletcher and Tom Bartlett, among others. Winning music indeed.
May your happiness increase!
JAZZ LIVES 