Hod O’Brien and wife, singer Stephanie Nakasian
The wonderful pianist Hod O’Brien has fans worldwide, so at intervals I get polite emails from people far from me, asking, “Michael, any chance of our getting to see the second set with Hod and Ray Drummond from Mezzrow?” By popular demand, then . . .
And here is the first set, complete with admiring and well-deserved prose.
Now, for the second. Notice Hod’s precise yet warm lyricism, and don’t ignore the beautiful spirit of Ray Drummond — what a gentle wise person and player.
RIDIN’ HIGH:
STROLLIN’:
IF I WERE A BELL:
THEME FOR ERNIE:
LULLABY OF THE LEAVES:
BLUES BY FIVE:
Hod has a new book out — a wonderful unaffected chronicle of his musical adventures — “Have Piano … Will Swing! Stories about the Jazz Life.” Here is an engaging article by David A. Maurer about Hod and the book. I’ll write more soon about the book, which I’m enjoying, but you can find a copy at Hod’s website.
May your happiness increase!
Wow,this second set surpassed the first magnificent one.I checked the stacks and found two sides,the first,under his name,from 1982 with the late great Teddy Kotick on bass and recent movie star Jimmy Wormworth on drums.Another featured the late Alan Eager on tenor-Alan had been away a long time and it showed.Mcbride may win the bass polls,but I’ll take Ray Drummond anytime.Great Posts,Michael,open to hear these cats again.How about it,Uptown?
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