LeRoy Vinnegar Day
Skip Elliott Bowman
This happened before I went on-line, but today is the anniversary.
On May 01, 1996, due to the unanimous and bipartisan support of the
Senate and House of Representatives, and by proclamation by Governor
John Kitzhaber, May 1st has been designated "LeRoy Vinnegar Day" in the
State of Oregon. This is due to his extensive career of contribution to
the legacy of jazz all over the world, for being the "Father Of The
Walking Bass", and for not dropping a beat in almost 50 years.
At 68, Leroy is still going strong, recording and performing at a pace
that would easily tire those half his age. He's been officially
commended by the President of the United States and has enthusiastic
fans and followers everywhere.
Please join us in expressing our appreciation and affection for this
giant, living legacy of American history.
Skip Elliott Bowman
tst...@natsys.fr
In article <336873...@teleport.com>,
skip...@teleport.com wrote:
>
> [SNIP]
> At 68, Leroy is still going strong, recording and performing at a pace
> that would easily tire those half his age. He's been officially
> commended by the President of the United States and has enthusiastic
> fans and followers everywhere.
I'm delighted to learn that Leroy Vinnegar is still going strong, and
vexed that he is so far from the limelight. Where does he play, with
whom, when was the last time he recorded? It's time he was "rediscovered"
by the jazz biz and given the living legend treatment, no?
I always think of "Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary All-Stars" when I
think of Leroy Vinnegar. What a walk!
- Tom Storer
-------------------==== Posted via Deja News ====-----------------------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Post to Usenet
Jay Schornstein
Leroy plays every Friday and Saturday evening at Atwater's, in Portland,
Oregon, with pianist Geoff Lee and drummer Mel Brown. It's a great room.
Leroy also plays periodically at Berbati's Pan in Portland.
Leroy can be heard on the altoist Warren Rand's recently released Dameron II-V
which can obtained in local Portland record stores or by calling Warren at
(503) 434-1113. Mel Brown, Dave Frishberg, Paul Mazzio and Randy Porter also
appear on this compact disc.
Jeff Volkman
On 2 May 1997, Kyle Grieser wrote:
> a trio. I find that I like the bigger group a bit better... not to
> mention the scene at Berbati's is much more "jazz" than Atwaters (which
> is a pretty fancy place at the top of the big bank building).
Yeah, I've played Atwaters a few times, and they tend to want the music to
be quiet, pleasant wallpaper for folks having nice, pleasant business
conversations. Maybe it's different when Leroy's there though.
Kyle Grieser
In article <5kcuca$lo2$1...@cobweb.aracnet.com>,
Jay Schornstein <sch...@aracnet.com> wrote:
>In article <8625639...@dejanews.com>, tst...@natsys.fr wrote:
>>In article <336873...@teleport.com>,
>> skip...@teleport.com wrote:
>>>
>>whom, when was the last time he recorded? It's time he was "rediscovered"
>>by the jazz biz and given the living legend treatment, no?
>>
>Oregon, with pianist Geoff Lee and drummer Mel Brown. It's a great room.
>Leroy also plays periodically at Berbati's Pan in Portland.
Actually, make that *every Tuesday* at Berbati's Pan, usually with
a quartet, or someone extra. It's difficult to say, so you have to
go every week! :-). The fri/sat Atwater's gigs are usually just
a trio. I find that I like the bigger group a bit better... not to
mention the scene at Berbati's is much more "jazz" than Atwaters (which
is a pretty fancy place at the top of the big bank building).
Leroy still rocks. Also, while I'm not *positive* about this since
I haven't been in a while, Leroy's gigs are usually exclusively
non-smoking due to his heart/lung problems.
-yuf
Marc Sabatella
>>> At 68, Leroy is still going strong, recording and performing at a pace
>>> that would easily tire those half his age. He's been officially
>>> commended by the President of the United States and has enthusiastic
>>> fans and followers everywhere.
>>
>>I'm delighted to learn that Leroy Vinnegar is still going strong, and
>>vexed that he is so far from the limelight. Where does he play, with
>>whom, when was the last time he recorded? It's time he was "rediscovered"
>>by the jazz biz and given the living legend treatment, no?
Perhaps not enough for you, but he did release at least one album under
his own name within the last few years, on a label big enough to get
airplay here in Colorado, and there was a feature story on him in
Downbeat or Jazztimes a year or two ago. There certainly shouldn't have
been any doubt he was still around.
--
Marc Sabatella
--
ma...@outsideshore.com
http://www.outsideshore.com/
skip elliott bowman
: > At 68, Leroy is still going strong, recording and performing at a pace
: > that would easily tire those half his age. He's been officially
: > commended by the President of the United States and has enthusiastic
: > fans and followers everywhere.
: I'm delighted to learn that Leroy Vinnegar is still going strong, and
: vexed that he is so far from the limelight. Where does he play, with
: whom, when was the last time he recorded? It's time he was "rediscovered"
: by the jazz biz and given the living legend treatment, no?
Leroy works every Tuesday night with his quartet (Gary Harris on tenor,
soprano, and flute, guitarist Dan Faehnle--rhymes w/"manly", and drummer
Mel Brown) at Berbati's Pan. On weekends, he brings his trio
(pianist Geoff Lee--pron. "Joff", Mel on drums) to Atwater's, located on
the 30th floor of a skyscraper. Both of these venues are in Portland. Leroy
is also called as a sideman on occasion (Marlena Shaw, Les McAnn, Teddy
Edwards, others) when they come to town. He is also a regular performer
at the annual Long Beach Jazz Festival in LB, California.
Recent recordings, all produced within the last 5 years and still in print:
As A Leader--
*Walking The Basses" with the Atwater's trio, featuring Leroy's originals
and a coupla interesting covers--howzabout "The Love Nest"? Or a 4/4
walking version of "How Insensitive"?
*Integrity* with the Berbati's quartet, recorded live at a jazz festival
in Bellingham WA.
As A Sideman--
Jessica Williams, *Encounters*, with Mel Brown on drums, recorded live at
Atwater's.
Teddy Edwards, *Mississippi Lad*
Gordon Lee, *Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants* with Dick Berk on drums
and Warren Rand on alto.
Warren Rand, *Tribute To Tadd Dameron* with Dave Frishberg on piano.
Marianne Mayfield, *Close Your Eyes*, with the Atwater's trio.
: I always think of "Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary All-Stars" when I
: think of Leroy Vinnegar. What a walk!
If you like that one, Tom (geez who wouldn't), then check out these other
classics, all in print on cd:
Hampton Hawes, *Something Special*, with Denny Diaz (Steely Dan) on
guitar, recorded live at the Douglas Beach House in Half Moon Bay,
California. On one cut Leroy plays Fender bass guitar!
Jazz Crusaders, *Lighthouse 66*. Leroy's original composition "Doin'
That Thing" appears on this album, and will appear on the
soundtrack of an upcoming Hollywood film called "Liar!" (not to be
confused witht the Jim Carrey vehicle Liar Liar)
Phineas Newborn Jr, *The Great Jazz Piano of Phineas Newborne Jr"
Red Garland, *Live At The Keystone Korner* with Philly Joe Jones.
The Doors, *Waiting For The Sun*. Jim Morrison must have been smarter
than we thought to call Leroy for this date.
That oughta keep ya bizzy for a minute.
Skippo
JFR
In <8625639...@dejanews.com> tst...@natsys.fr writes:
>
>In article <336873...@teleport.com>,
> skip...@teleport.com wrote:
>>
>> [SNIP]
>> At 68, Leroy is still going strong, recording and performing at a
pace
>> that would easily tire those half his age. He's been officially
>> commended by the President of the United States and has enthusiastic
>> fans and followers everywhere.
>
>I'm delighted to learn that Leroy Vinnegar is still going strong, and
>vexed that he is so far from the limelight. Where does he play, with
>whom, when was the last time he recorded? It's time he was
"rediscovered"
>by the jazz biz and given the living legend treatment, no?
>
I
>think of Leroy Vinnegar. What a walk!
>
>
>-------------------==== Posted via Deja News
====-----------------------
> http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Post to Usenet
No, he has to wait until he is 70 to record something that the record
companies will support, marketing him as an "old tiger".
Richard Bogle
Yes indeed Leroy is still going strong. He has the heart of a lion.
Despite his physical limitations (he is on oxygen 15 hours a day) he
still swings. I wrote the Downbeat article of a couple of years ago.
Next month in 5/4 Magazine, a Seattle jazz monthly publication there
will be another of my pieces on this legend. The Berbati's sessions are
much more jazz oriented than the Atwaters'. Leroy has developed a brand
new jazz audience here in the Portland area made up of youngsters in
their 20's. All I can say is keep on strummin' .
-
RICHARD BOGLE DMR...@prodigy.com