[jamiejazz]

Here's a link to a great interview with Charles McPherson-it's actually been online for years but is worth checking out. He's a good player to read about and listen to as he's experimented a lot with equipment over the years and has such a beautiful sound. I posted it here as he makes some interesting points about alto sax mouthpiece/instrument combinations.

One of the many things I noticed when seeing him play live was the sheer amount of air he took when he breathing-it felt as though the entire theatre was going to be sucked into his lungs.
http://www.melmartin.com/html_pages/Interviews/chaz.html

Jamie

 

[odsum25]

We're all lucky to still have Charles with us and playing. He's a master musician and someone that we can all learn a lot from.

Great interview.

 

[Jazz Is All]

That's a great interview, both for his musical insights and the Mingus stories.

 

[whaler]

I used to have a recording of his called "Siku Ya Bibi" that was with strings. Unfortunately it's out of print, but at that time he was playing a Conn 6M.

 

[Pgraves]

He was incredible a couple of weeks ago at Pearls in San Francisco.
His son was outstanding on drums, as were the young pianist and bassist.
Waaaay up tempo Cherokee, could have been 400.
"Darn that dream" taken completely apart. Alto sound was perfect.
He played a mark VI, probably with a Meyer.
If you get a chance to hear him live, don't miss it.

 

[milomo]

I used to have a recording of his called "Siku Ya Bibi" that was with strings. Unfortunately it's out of print, but at that time he was playing a Conn 6M.

check the iTunes store, they have it as a download.

 

[jamiejazz]

I love that snaky feel he has, moving in front of, behind and all over the beat. It's a very different approach compared to Phil Woods, Jackie Mac, Gary Bartz etc. I also like the way he has a kind of 'romance' in his playing-a lot of younger players don't get to that.

My favourite thing is a ballad he played called 'A tear & a smile' on the album "Illusions in Blue". That particular recording really made me re-think my tone concept when I first heard it 11 years ago. But the earlier stuff with Mingus is gorgeous & perfect (playing on a Conn back then, I think).

Jamie

 

[dstack79]

I love that snaky feel he has, moving in front of, behind and all over the beat. It's a very different approach compared to Phil Woods, Jackie Mac, Gary Bartz etc. I also like the way he has a kind of 'romance' in his playing-a lot of younger players don't get to that.
Jamie

I agree entirely. He has a passion in his playing that's missing today. He has the best alto sound ever.

-Dan

 

[whaler]

He was incredible a couple of weeks ago at Pearls in San Francisco.
His son was outstanding on drums, as were the young pianist and bassist.
Waaaay up tempo Cherokee, could have been 400.
"Darn that dream" taken completely apart. Alto sound was perfect.
He played a mark VI, probably with a Meyer.
If you get a chance to hear him live, don't miss it.

I always enjoyed playing at Pearl's and got to play with some great players there. I'm glad to hear they still have real jazz there. The last I heard some chick singer (more likely, her husband) bought they place and Sonny wasn't there anymore.