I got into Chicago last night just in time to check into the hotel and get to Grant Park to hear Ray Anderson with the Charlie Hunter Trio. Ray sounded great and it was nice to see Simon Lott, who is now playing with Charlie Hunter. Wolter Wierbos and Eric Boeren, who are in town with the dutch group Bik Bent Braam, were also there listening.
It turned into trombone geek fest back stage as Ray, Jeb Bishop, Wolter Wierbos, Norman Palm, and I got into a gear dialouge about old horns sparked by Norman’s old Conn 40H and Ray’s new/old NY Bach 6. Wolter plays a voca bell 44H and Jeb plays a 78H. I felt a little left out as the guy with the new horn, but that’s ok, I like my new horn.
Jeb, Wolter, Eric, and I continued on to the Velvet Lounge to hear some classic AACM stylings from Douglas Ewart and his colleagues. There is something special in that music. I need to explore more of it. Comments with your favorite AACM listening are encouraged.