[Tradjazz] Pee Wee Russell

[Bruce McNichols]

  Oh Boy.  When will I learn to keep my big trap shut?  Probably never, I guess.
Years ago, Jack Fine played cornet with us for several years,  He was aghast when I criticized Pee Wee Russell.  One time I was at his loft in the Village and he played some records for me.  At one point he asked me what I thought of the tenor man.  I said "I love him!" and Jack informed me that it was Pee Wee (from early in his recording career). Well shut ma mouth.   
  One time a guy suggested that I could avoid controversy by stating that "I like early Pee Wee Russell."
As I've said before (and will surely say again) I truly hesitate to classify any musician (or book, movie, restaurant etc.) as being "good," or "bad."  I try to be sure to say things such as "I happen to like it," or "not like it," or my ubiquitous "He may be good, but he ain't talkin' to me."

I adore the playing of Kenny Davern.  I am keenly aware of his Pee Wee influences.  When they come out in his playing, I'm not pleased.  That said, it's part of the package of Kenny Davern.  I know that and I accept that.  Dat's da way it goes.

Some folks may like the way Pee Wee communicated and they may admire his quarter-tone playing that you referred to.  For better or for worse, I don't happen to be one of those people.
  Another point I've written before (and will surely say again): I have a helluva nerve, complaining about some of the players that I mention.  I should be able to play half as well as they do (did).  That said, I don't think I'd choose to use that talent (if I had it) to do quite the same things that they do (did). 
~~~
      GO AHEAD, LIST-MEMBERS.  
      LET ME HAVE IT WITH BOTH BARRELS!
McN


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Barbone" <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
To: <tradjazz at list.okom.com>
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 11:17 AM
Subject: [Tradjazz] Pee Wee Russell


> Hi Bruce:
> 
> So Bruce McN doesn't like Pee Wee's sour notes. Well you are not alone. I
> think it was Artie Shaw (or Benny Goodman) who said he sounded like a leaky
> bicycle pump. And Thelonious Monk was bemused when they played together at
> the Newport Jazz Festival. IMO the world is split about 50/50 regarding what
> Russell does on clarinet.
> 
> Kenny Davern? Loves him as do I. In fact a careful listening of what Kenny
> does with his axe shows Pee Wee influences throughout. And Davern will tell
> anyone who listens what a great COMMUNICATOR Pee Wee Was and how his own
> playing was shaped by Pee Wee's ideas and approach.
> 
> And "communication" is the key. Russell approached the horn as a simple
> communication device, not as an instrument to be mastered as say, Benny
> Goodman believed. Shaw, though he disliked Russell's sound, had the same
> approach to the clarinet. "I don't play clarinet", he would say, "I play
> music." 
> 
> Russell who knew how to play "correctly" (just listen to his recordings of
> the 1920s) specifically chose to communicate the way he did later on. And,
> like Bix, he was harmonically advanced. (they made some neat sounds
> together) Heck, he was blowing quarter tones before any of us reed men knew
> they existed.
> 
> My opinion? Since music is communication, the player should communicate in
> his own creative fashion to "his" audience. Russell was somewhat unique and
> "his" audience is therefore smaller and more fragmented than most. He was a
> multi dimensional character and for me, a joy, both to know and to hear.
> 
> Cheers,
> Steve 
> 

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