ONOFFON

[johnnydean1]

Quote:Quote:OnOff,I guess it is time I listened to some of your stuff. I have spent a fair bit of time listening to some of the top dogs around here--like Matto, Ern and Dave, just to see how high the bar is. I haven't reported on any of this because I figure those guys surely ought to know how good they are and I would not be able to tell them anything they did not already know.I will just click on your screen name to get where I'm going, unless you want to direct me otherwise.Thanks horacejesse - I hope you like some of what you hear. All of us have different styles - it's fun to hear the contrasting ideas - after all, we're all working with the same twelve notes.Our stuff is definitely different... TWELVE NOTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!S--T I thought it was thirteen.

[onoffon]

Hey Johnny - nice of you to stop by - you know, I've never known how to count that damn octave... arkjack - I know some guys who play with those semi-tones, but not intentionally...They just can't tune their axes... Thanks for the kind words about our music.

[johnnydean1]

Quote:Hey Johnny - nice of you to stop by - you know, I've never known how to count that damn octave... wosanoctave Von?

[onoffon]

Quote:watsahenway, VonYour guess is as good as mine...

[onoffon]

Alright - alright - I think we've gotten a little off topic here... Let's get back to some serious SSP -I received yet another copy of one of my Guggenheim reference letters, this time from a reknown west coast jazz historian and author, James A. Harrod. He is writing a history of the Pacific Jazz label, whose story crosses over into my father's history quite heavily. Harry had recorded on many albums for Pacific Jazz and his drummer partner, Roy Harte, was a founding member of the label with Richard Bok.Anyway, here's a brief excerpt -"Over the period of these visits where I was able to spend many hours with Von it became apparent that he had a deep sincere interest in the legacy that his father had established in Los Angeles in the 1940s and 1950s as a jazz musician. Since Von is also a trained professional musician I believe that he possesses the necessary background, training and talent to produce a documentary about his father and restore recognition of his father's achievements in jazz which sadly have been neglected."I can't tell you what it means to me to have people like this write such letters in support of this project. Again, although the letter is complimentary to me, it really emphasizes my father and his exclusion from the history books, which is what this is all about.In the bigger picture, this film will highlight many tremendously talented musicians who contributed immeasurably to the west coast jazz movement, helping to define an important time in music history.My sincerest thanks to Jim Harrod for his support...

[onoffon]

Hey BMP -You might have better luck asking for reviews in a new thread - maybe on the 'Review' BB?Just a thought....

[onoffon]

Well... this is rather cool...I have just confirmed an appearance on a television show - it's a cable access show in the Los Angeles area hosted by a jazz historian/professor named Chet Hanley called, "Jazz in the Modern Age". He produces the show on the campus of Cal State, Dominguez Hills, and it's a live show, broadcasting every Tuesday night from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm. I will be the guest on February 27th and it airs on Time-Warner Cable, channel 36. At least, in the East San Fernando Valley. I'll try to get more details as to where it might appear on other cable providers.When I spoke to Mr. Hanley, he was quite gracious and very complimentary about my father's career and legacy, stating that making a documentary about his life was "about time" and that "he only played with everybody".I'll keep you updated about more details as I know them...

[onoffon]

I spoke earlier this week with Chet Hanley - I'll be meeting with him next week to do a little pre-production in preparation for the show on the 27th. He wants to follow the history of the jazz cello in relation to my dad. Cool subject - such a unique sound and something rarely heard even today. Some bassists, like Stanley Clarke, play what they call the 'piccolo bass' but it's not really the same. The timbre of the instrument is totally different.Wait until he hears the duet cello session with Harry and Oscar Pettiford.... That'll knock his socks off!Oh - and BTW -If anyone happens to be in the Orange County area this weekend, I'm playing with my cover band on Friday, Feb. 16, and Saturday, Feb. 17, at -Chaser's Lounge 2765 N Orange Olive Rd Orange, CA 92865 714-637-6530We'll be on from 9:00 pm to 1:30 am.Come on down - we'll have a blast!!!!!!

[onoffon]

I had a wonderful meeting with Chet Hanley this morning, the producer of "Jazz in the Modern Age", the show I will guest on next week. The stuff I had literally BLEW HIM AWAY!!!!! It's so cool when that happens...You don't know how cool it is when I talk to someone who KNOWS!!!!! Not to a million people who politely shake their head and raise an eyebrow - it's nice that they show respect - but when I talk to someone who really KNOWS, we're in a whole different world. He knows EVERYONE who played and recorded with my father. He names dates and studios I barely remember. And he talks about how important my father's contributions to jazz really are... it's truly humbling. I know my dad is looking down at me and smiling - I know he's gently guiding me in the directions I need to be going. I gave Mr. Hanley a handful of pics and recordings and a breakdown sheet of what I gave him in chronological order - he said he appreciated the time and care I put into my preparation and that he will probably just follow my timeline with a little embellishment of his own.He also mentioned he went through the ONOFFON website and was blown away by what we've accomplished as well. He even suggested I bring my bass but I insisted that this time the focus is on Harry and the west coast jazz community that started it all. He told me he'd like me to consider doing additional shows in the future which I would be more than happy to do.So, onward to Tuesday night - btw, I will get a VHS copy that night, a DVD copy delivered about a week later, and full permission by Mr. Hanley to do with anyway I see fit.Plus, I got a great breakfast courtesy of California State University, Dominguez Hills. Can't ask for much more than that...

[onoffon]

Last night was the show - it went very well. As promised, I walked out with a VHS copy and Mr. Hanley said he would drive up to my place to give me my DVD copy sometime next week. Very cool...My family told me, though, that the broadcast was delayed in starting, as a technical glitch didn't start the show until about fifteen minutes into it. Wouldn't you know. It must have been a production problem or something on the cable carrier's end, either way, once it started, everyone was happy. My sons were especially proud.... The VHS copy I have had the entire show.Once I get the DVD, I'm considering editing excerpts out to upload on YouTube, maybe... I'm not sure yet.Mr. Hanley said he would definitely like to have me back for a Part 2 show of Jazz In Hollywood and maybe even an episode featuring ONOFFON...