Spread the Word About Suicide Prevention

Posted on May 29, 2017 by Scott K Fish
1955_bob_gregg_scott_fish

My Uncle Bob on the far left. Scott K Fish on far right.

SKF NOTE: I write a weekly newspaper column for Maine’s Piscataquis Observer. Most of my topics are not germane to this blog, but this week the topic fits.

Spread the word about suicide prevention
Scott K. Fish, Special to the Piscataquis Observer • May 28, 2017

Suicide. It’s a topic very much in social media these days. The posts I see mostly focus on preventing suicide among U.S. military veterans. Individuals and organizations spread the word through social media that, “We’re here. There’s help. Call us.” Often social media users like me are asked to share these outreach messages, to help spread the word among our social media contacts.

My life is influenced greatly by my father’s youngest brother, Robert “Bob” Fish. Uncle Bob introduced me to drums when I was six years old, planting the seed of love for that instrument that’s still with me. I was a professional drummer, became managing editor of Modern Drummer magazine, and still have a blog about drumming called Life Beyond the Cymbals. Uncle Bob’s suicide when I was just 14 years old was a shock, but not as strong, I find, as the aftershock.

Full story

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Keith Copeland – Preserving Mainstream Jazz for Black Kids (1984) 

Posted on May 28, 2017 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: I rediscovered my Keith Copeland interview transcript in July 2015. Keith and I spoke over dinner at a Centre Island, NY restaurant. I have forgotten the restaurant name. Neither do I remember how this interview came to pass. But re-reading the transcript for the first time in about 30 years, I am impressed! Keith and I had a good rapport, both asking very good questions and giving very good answers.

The audio here has a regrettable buzz I am unable to get rid of without also degrading Keith’s voice and mine. Still, the sound here is much improved over the original tape.

In this first excerpt we are talking about how few young black kids are interested in mainstream jazz — which is a part of their culture. Keith primarily blames the music industry and the educations sytem for not doing enough to promote mainstream jazz to young black kids.

I agree with Keith that the music biz and school system can do better at promoting mainstream jazz, but even in 1984, when this interview took place, I wasn’t accepting that as an excuse for anyone with a real interest in jazz be ignorant of jazz.

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Long Lost Monk Album Set for Release

Posted on May 27, 2017 by Scott K Fish

SKF NOTE: My friend, Christina, brought this new Monk release to my attention. It’s such a treat. Just when I thought I had heard all of Thelonious Monk’s recorded music – a never before released studio recording emerges — and I can’t wait to buy and absorb the CD. Meanwhile, here’s a cut from the album posted on YouTube.

Newsweek / CULTURE
A LONG-LOST THELONIOUS MONK ALBUM IS FINALLY RELEASED NEARLY 60 YEARS LATER
BY ZACH SCHONFELD ON 5/18/17 AT 9:10 AM

On July 27, 1959, Thelonious Monk entered Nola Penthouse Studios on Manhattan’s 57th Street for a recording session…to record music for the soundtrack to the French film Les Liaisons Dangereuses.…supported by a band that included Art Taylor on drums and Sam Jones on bass, [Charlie Rouse on tenor sax] — he recorded new arrangements of some of his best-known compositions.

The soundtrack was never released, quickly lost to history. Monk carried on with his career, retired from public life during the 1970s and died of a stroke in 1982.

Now, 35 years after Monk’s death, two friends at small French labels are co-releasing the long-lost recordings. The story behind the soundtrack’s chance rediscovery? It’s as eccentric as the legendary musician’s hat. Full story.

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Roy Haynes ‘Out of the Afternoon’ Photo

Posted on May 24, 2017 by Scott K Fish

roy haynes outoftheafternoon cd_0001
SKF NOTE: A favorite photo by Chuck Stewart of Roy Haynes from Haynes’s Out of the Afternoon CD booklet. Great album with Roland Kirk, Tommy Flanagan, and Henry Grimes.

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Barry Keane’s Onstage Drumset for Gordon Lightfoot

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Scott K Fish
Photo by Eileen Heidrich
Photo by Eileen Heidrich
L-R: Scott K Fish & Barry Keane

SKF NOTE: I’ve known Barry Keane more than half my life — since 1980 or 1981 when we met for his feature interview with Modern Drummer. Last April we caught up after Gordon Lightfoot’s concert in Orono, Maine. I wrote here about the unique role Barry and the other Lightfoot band members have in supporting the singer songwriter.

I also wrote about Barry’s drumset — which he was playing back in 1980-81, last year in Orono, and again when we said hello at Gordon Lightfoot’s May 17th show this year in Portland, Maine. Barry Keane has his drums and percussion instruments sounding just the way he likes them — right down to the cotton towel with “Do Not Remove” written on it taped vertically over the left side of his snare drum. When something works — you stick with it.

Here are a few photos of Barry’s drums onstage at the Merrill Auditorium.

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