Here is another unique interlude generously offered to us by Dan Morgenstern. I’ve posted earlier segments here and here — with immense pleasure.
In pursuit of the fine surprising stories that have delighted us so, I’d asked Dan to recall his experiences on Fifty-Second Street, slightly after that street’s legendary height . . . and here’s what he recalled, with portraits of Sidney Bechet, Alonzo Levister, Kenny Davern, and Dick Wellstood among others.
I will have the mental-emotional image of a set-long Bechet / Dickenson blues forever. And since Dan was close to both Kenny and Dick, here’s a wonderful performance, little-known, recorded by the very gracious Joe Shepherd at the Manassas Jazz Festival on December 1, 1978. I WANT TO BE HAPPY, with Billy Butterfield, Kenny Davern, Spiegel Willcox, Spencer Clark, Dick Wellstood, Marty Grosz, Van Perry, Tony Di Nicola.
The video quality is a little fuzzy, but the music is memorable and more. And thank you, Dan, for insights and generosities.
May your happiness increase!
Thank you for another great interview with Dan, and a wonderful performance by a stellar group. Davern was famous for driving recording engineers crazy (and he did me), but I loved his playing. And we even had some interesting talks about Furtwangler! I never learned why he died so young after having left New York.
Doug
Wonderful interview with Dan, Michael. Cannot get enough of the Wellstood / Davern stories.
Thank-You, Michael for this wonderful interview. I’m one of Dick Wellstood’s children. What touches me so deeply is the mention of my Mother, Flo. She was a beautiful woman, but also brilliant and creative. There is a giant hole in my heart where my Father and Mother belong. It is in my heart that I carry them. Stories/interviews like this mean the world to me. I see the little house in City Island, Dad’s place in Manasquan, smell and taste his Linguine with Clam Sauce and hers as well! I can see the Ferryboat and see his face as he “shushed” us before we listened to classical music after dinner. I think of him, forever grateful to be his daughter, forever regretful we didn’t have more time! Thank-You for the memories!
Thanks Michael for more of your fascinating interview with Dan. Needless to say I love Dan’s recollections I find his love of jazz and its disciples to be ongoing and delightful.
Thanks Michael for more of Dan’s remembrences; a fabulous memory and a unique way of getting his points across.
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