Thursday, August 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
LESTER PARKER.
LESTER PARKER.
When I met Misty Morgan she was with a country band, then she played all kinds of music and finally her own jazz group, before we wound up back in Country Music. We were taken by a friend to meet a sax player for her combo, and when we knocked on the apartment door, this Dustin Hoffmann type guy answered in his boxer shorts. Our friend said to Lester Parker "Go put some pants on!"
He was a wonderful character and the best jazz tenor sax player in Miami... maybe in Florida. We became close friends. Les was so laid back. He could play any requested song and nobody would recognize it except another jazz musician. He spoke in the jive talk of the time, and was an avid chess player. Misty's group, with Lester, packed 'em in at a popular Miami club. We lost track of him for many decades, until recently. I found this home made eulogy to him written by a friend of his named Tim. It was on an Internet musicians' forum, and I'm leaving it in its original non-literary form, just as I found it. It's hard to understand in places, but it's "real".
**********************************
SAD NEWS......Lester Parker,.a Boston tenor sax player and friend of mine since 1969..... passed away October 10 at 9:30 PM. He went in with pneumonia , and they also found tumors on his lungs, and clogged valves in the heart. it was just a matter of time. Lester was 72. He was born Joseph Arena. His mom Angela White is 92 and in a Nursing home in Lawrence Mass. Most musicians knew him as LESTER PARKER. In the 50's Lester traveled with George Wallington the bop pianist. Lester worked the joints in Boston, but more importantly.... he was a master of the standard song form. He practiced at least 4 hours a day, sick or NOT.
Educated musically on the bandstand via the school of hard knocks, Lester had a rough as nails front. He could verbally level ya in a heartbeat, but once you got past that....he was a good guy . ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC. In 1969....I first ran into him in Wallys , at a Sunday session. The first time I saw him, with his King Super 20 tenor....Black shirt, Black tie , slicked back hair....he looked like something outta the 1940s. I had no idea what to think. A WEEK LATER....I had a gig at the " Two O' Clock lounge". Playing for strippers. I was in the back room....diggin' the babes and all ..thinkin'.....when here comes Lester's hard as nails voice.... "Hey kid, Don't touch the BROADS.....it's a one way ticket to trouble"... so we went and gotta pizza on Washington st.
Thru the years , to me...Lester was a good friend. No question. The last time I saw him was last year when he came to NYC lookin' for OLD METAL BERGS (saxophones). - He was told by a shop outside town that they had drawers full. So....we trecked out in my car... Lester was smokin so much that the Lincoln tunnel smelled good.lol
ANOTHER COOL THING- Lester lived... for the session. He practiced CONSTANTLY. He rented, a spot.....in Wakefield to shed (practice). and he was there all the time...in the shed. THAT.....was an inspiration in itself. Thru the years , he helped many rhythm section guys gell on the bandstand. His thing was -PLAYIN'. You'd session with him, and he'll tell ya....." Look ...its either 4 hours minimum or I ain't bringin out my artillery.". lol- You'd play.....and he'd pass out lead sheets . As the song was goin- he'd pull the sheet off the stand and yell "PLAY!" He had a odd way.....but he was real. Lester would throw a kid's "REAL BOOK" on the floor and say..... " your not playin WITH the band..you're relyin' on that book." He meant well. Old school yea...but.......the results were there ...IF....you tried. What he had to offer was different....but ....he cared.
A few years ago he bought a mint condition King Super 20 (sax) as a back up. It was amazing. He had the bread saved to buy a newer car.... but...he went for the SUPER 20. Whatta guy, huh ? His comment was..." Hey......the sled (car) I can get any time... those pieces a junk are everwhere...the Super 20....is ART" .
Lester helped a lot of guys and was one of the cats. So....sorry for the long post.......but it's guys like this guy... who made music 24/7...365. no matter what. You'll never see his name in DownBeat or Sax Journal.... but that's why I put this much here. I owe this guy a lot. Lester kicked my butt to not settle for the OKIE DOKEY.... I valued his friendship big time. His was THE FIRST Xmas card I'd ever recieve. ( over...30 years of them too !!! ) When I wasn't home he'd talk to my mom or in later years my wife. A different kinda cat...but ....ain't we all ?!! I never expected this, as Lester was never sick. He hated hospitals and nursing homes. So in closing , be glad for the days ya got folks and make sure music is part of it. This guy sure did and many were the better for it. Where ever he is I'm sure there is a song in the air. Thanks- Tim .....
**************************************
(Responses from Tim's friends.)
Tim - thank you so much for the info on Lester Parker. I never knew him well. In fact for the last thirty years I avoided him because everyone I knew would never go to a gig or session if they even thought he was going to show up because he "terrorized" the bandstand.The very least we can say is that he was a legend here in Boston. Characters like him are getting rarer and rarer. Tim , thanks man, it's a sobering way to start the day. - TD
**************************************
Great tribute, Tim. I think anyone who spent any time in Boston remembers "Lester the character" but your post remembers Lester the man/musician. Thanks for sharing it with us. Leigh
*************************************
Tim, I don't know whether to be sorry you've lost a friend, or envious that you knew a cat like that.. But I am sorry he's gone.. BobMac
************************************
Sad news, indeed... I never met Lester personally, but spoke to him many times on the phone. He'd call Ralph's shop, rather regularly--- and I'd know it's him--- He'd snarl into the phone "Tell Ralph it's his brother-in-law!" lol- of course they weren't related, but brothers like that, ya know... First time I ever talked to him, scared the crap outta me! Yeah, he had that gruff exterior, in your face and the langauge, but I was ready the next time he called (Ralph explained him to me!) But I soon came to know him as very generous and very knowledgable and we've got this recent picture of him blowing on the wall, black hair still slicked back... Thanks Tim for the info... I'm sorry for the loss. Brian
*************************************
(From Tim again.)
I told Roberto today...about Lester and his eyes teared up. Lester walked in the store and had EVERYONE crackin up with his crazy talk and funny BS. One young player was so touched by Lester's playing that he wanted to buy him a drink at the end of the night. Lester told the kid....save it kid... go buy some reeds and keep working on your horn. You know what his name meant right ? *Swing like LESTER YOUNG, BURN like Charlie Parker !!!!" Pretty cool . The cat who told me_ that was SAM RIVERS (Sam Rivers is a famous jazz musician and arranger).
You always knew Lester was in the building when you heard the sound of a saxophone emanating from the men's (or sometimes the ladie's) room. The next thing you knew he was strutting towards the bandstand all hunched over with his right hand doing that shaking thing of his, playing all the way. He didn't seem to care if the guys in the band welcomed him or not. Lester NEVER bought a drink in a club cuz he had this way cool flask in the Super 20 case with his initals on it...L.P. I know..cuz I was one of the few who got to take a hit off that flask. I REALLY appreciate the stuff ya'll said. Lester used to sign his letters.... " To the Bitter End"...
little did he know, ya know.......little did he know.
I'm sure gonna miss this guy . We need more Lester Parkers.
Thanks- Tim :)
Jack Blanchard
When I met Misty Morgan she was with a country band, then she played all kinds of music and finally her own jazz group, before we wound up back in Country Music. We were taken by a friend to meet a sax player for her combo, and when we knocked on the apartment door, this Dustin Hoffmann type guy answered in his boxer shorts. Our friend said to Lester Parker "Go put some pants on!"
He was a wonderful character and the best jazz tenor sax player in Miami... maybe in Florida. We became close friends. Les was so laid back. He could play any requested song and nobody would recognize it except another jazz musician. He spoke in the jive talk of the time, and was an avid chess player. Misty's group, with Lester, packed 'em in at a popular Miami club. We lost track of him for many decades, until recently. I found this home made eulogy to him written by a friend of his named Tim. It was on an Internet musicians' forum, and I'm leaving it in its original non-literary form, just as I found it. It's hard to understand in places, but it's "real".
**********************************
SAD NEWS......Lester Parker,.a Boston tenor sax player and friend of mine since 1969..... passed away October 10 at 9:30 PM. He went in with pneumonia , and they also found tumors on his lungs, and clogged valves in the heart. it was just a matter of time. Lester was 72. He was born Joseph Arena. His mom Angela White is 92 and in a Nursing home in Lawrence Mass. Most musicians knew him as LESTER PARKER. In the 50's Lester traveled with George Wallington the bop pianist. Lester worked the joints in Boston, but more importantly.... he was a master of the standard song form. He practiced at least 4 hours a day, sick or NOT.
Educated musically on the bandstand via the school of hard knocks, Lester had a rough as nails front. He could verbally level ya in a heartbeat, but once you got past that....he was a good guy . ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC. In 1969....I first ran into him in Wallys , at a Sunday session. The first time I saw him, with his King Super 20 tenor....Black shirt, Black tie , slicked back hair....he looked like something outta the 1940s. I had no idea what to think. A WEEK LATER....I had a gig at the " Two O' Clock lounge". Playing for strippers. I was in the back room....diggin' the babes and all ..thinkin'.....when here comes Lester's hard as nails voice.... "Hey kid, Don't touch the BROADS.....it's a one way ticket to trouble"... so we went and gotta pizza on Washington st.
Thru the years , to me...Lester was a good friend. No question. The last time I saw him was last year when he came to NYC lookin' for OLD METAL BERGS (saxophones). - He was told by a shop outside town that they had drawers full. So....we trecked out in my car... Lester was smokin so much that the Lincoln tunnel smelled good.lol
ANOTHER COOL THING- Lester lived... for the session. He practiced CONSTANTLY. He rented, a spot.....in Wakefield to shed (practice). and he was there all the time...in the shed. THAT.....was an inspiration in itself. Thru the years , he helped many rhythm section guys gell on the bandstand. His thing was -PLAYIN'. You'd session with him, and he'll tell ya....." Look ...its either 4 hours minimum or I ain't bringin out my artillery.". lol- You'd play.....and he'd pass out lead sheets . As the song was goin- he'd pull the sheet off the stand and yell "PLAY!" He had a odd way.....but he was real. Lester would throw a kid's "REAL BOOK" on the floor and say..... " your not playin WITH the band..you're relyin' on that book." He meant well. Old school yea...but.......the results were there ...IF....you tried. What he had to offer was different....but ....he cared.
A few years ago he bought a mint condition King Super 20 (sax) as a back up. It was amazing. He had the bread saved to buy a newer car.... but...he went for the SUPER 20. Whatta guy, huh ? His comment was..." Hey......the sled (car) I can get any time... those pieces a junk are everwhere...the Super 20....is ART" .
Lester helped a lot of guys and was one of the cats. So....sorry for the long post.......but it's guys like this guy... who made music 24/7...365. no matter what. You'll never see his name in DownBeat or Sax Journal.... but that's why I put this much here. I owe this guy a lot. Lester kicked my butt to not settle for the OKIE DOKEY.... I valued his friendship big time. His was THE FIRST Xmas card I'd ever recieve. ( over...30 years of them too !!! ) When I wasn't home he'd talk to my mom or in later years my wife. A different kinda cat...but ....ain't we all ?!! I never expected this, as Lester was never sick. He hated hospitals and nursing homes. So in closing , be glad for the days ya got folks and make sure music is part of it. This guy sure did and many were the better for it. Where ever he is I'm sure there is a song in the air. Thanks- Tim .....
**************************************
(Responses from Tim's friends.)
Tim - thank you so much for the info on Lester Parker. I never knew him well. In fact for the last thirty years I avoided him because everyone I knew would never go to a gig or session if they even thought he was going to show up because he "terrorized" the bandstand.The very least we can say is that he was a legend here in Boston. Characters like him are getting rarer and rarer. Tim , thanks man, it's a sobering way to start the day. - TD
**************************************
Great tribute, Tim. I think anyone who spent any time in Boston remembers "Lester the character" but your post remembers Lester the man/musician. Thanks for sharing it with us. Leigh
*************************************
Tim, I don't know whether to be sorry you've lost a friend, or envious that you knew a cat like that.. But I am sorry he's gone.. BobMac
************************************
Sad news, indeed... I never met Lester personally, but spoke to him many times on the phone. He'd call Ralph's shop, rather regularly--- and I'd know it's him--- He'd snarl into the phone "Tell Ralph it's his brother-in-law!" lol- of course they weren't related, but brothers like that, ya know... First time I ever talked to him, scared the crap outta me! Yeah, he had that gruff exterior, in your face and the langauge, but I was ready the next time he called (Ralph explained him to me!) But I soon came to know him as very generous and very knowledgable and we've got this recent picture of him blowing on the wall, black hair still slicked back... Thanks Tim for the info... I'm sorry for the loss. Brian
*************************************
(From Tim again.)
I told Roberto today...about Lester and his eyes teared up. Lester walked in the store and had EVERYONE crackin up with his crazy talk and funny BS. One young player was so touched by Lester's playing that he wanted to buy him a drink at the end of the night. Lester told the kid....save it kid... go buy some reeds and keep working on your horn. You know what his name meant right ? *Swing like LESTER YOUNG, BURN like Charlie Parker !!!!" Pretty cool . The cat who told me_ that was SAM RIVERS (Sam Rivers is a famous jazz musician and arranger).
You always knew Lester was in the building when you heard the sound of a saxophone emanating from the men's (or sometimes the ladie's) room. The next thing you knew he was strutting towards the bandstand all hunched over with his right hand doing that shaking thing of his, playing all the way. He didn't seem to care if the guys in the band welcomed him or not. Lester NEVER bought a drink in a club cuz he had this way cool flask in the Super 20 case with his initals on it...L.P. I know..cuz I was one of the few who got to take a hit off that flask. I REALLY appreciate the stuff ya'll said. Lester used to sign his letters.... " To the Bitter End"...
little did he know, ya know.......little did he know.
I'm sure gonna miss this guy . We need more Lester Parkers.
Thanks- Tim :)
Jack Blanchard
The Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan Home Page: http://jackandmisty.com
Restoration and mastering studio: 407 330 1611.
CD Baby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/jackmisty
© 2011
Restoration and mastering studio: 407 330 1611.
CD Baby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/jackmisty
© 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
HOW WE RUINED LUNCH HOUR IN DULUTH.
We were not recording stars,
and had no idea we would ever have hit records.
We were just three Florida musicians,
Misty, me, and our guitar player Doug Tarrant,
who somehow wound up in the north country in December.
Our booking was at the Black Bear Lounge in the Hotel Duluth.
Our dog, Brubeck, accompanied us on the tour.
He looked like a Jack Russell Terrier,
but he wasn't anything you could pin down.
Brubeck would not eat dog food.
He would eat cat food
or a foul smelling liver and garlic concoction that Misty cooked up for him.
He would also eat complete motel mattresses,
medium sized linoleum floors, and my better clothes.
We loved him!
Misty felt a need to dress Brubeck up like a rich lady's poodle.
He would be led through the lobby wearing a leopard print dog coat,
a hat,
and four yellow boots,
at least one of which was always turned around
with the toe facing grotesquely backwards.
He would be shaking a rear leg trying to get rid of it.
This gets worse.
The hotel had a classy restaurant which was below ground level.
The sidewalk and snow covered grass
were exactly at eye level with the lunch crowd inside.
The place was packed with well-dressed business people enjoying their food,
when Misty's legs appeared in the far right window,
then the leash,
and finally what looked like a dog in a pimp suit.
The pimp dog went right up to the restaurant window
and proceeded with what seemed to be a long overdue bowel movement.
Misty, totally embarrassed at being the focus of every eye in the crowd,
tried her best to look like she'd never seen this dog before in her life.
It didn't work, and Brubeck went earnestly on and on.
Then she made it worse by trying to drag him away while he was still going.
A LOT worse!
The lunch hour business dropped off abruptly after that.
Jack Blanchard
© 2011.
--
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan...
Home page: http://jackandmisty.com
CD Baby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/jackmisty
Videos: http://youtube.com/jackandmisty
Restoration and mastering studio: 407 330 1611.
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