RIP George Avakian

I never met George Avakian, no reason why I should. He lived in Manhattan and I didn't. He was just one of those names that appeared on album sleeves - Produced by George Avakian - usually in print too small to read. Fortunately, he frequently also wrote the liner notes himself which, in themselves, became a part of jazz literature. Writing about Ellington at Newport 1956 and, in particular, Paul Gonsalves' 27 choruses long solo on Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue he draws attention to former Basie drummer, Jo Jones, who, after playing with Teddy Wilson, egged the Ellington band on by shouting encouragement and swatting the edge of the stage with a rolled up copy of the Christian Science Monitor about 18 inches from George's squatting haunch. "As this target has grown more inviting over the years, I was careful to stay an arm and a half clear of Jo at all times" writes George in his notes.

That, of course, was just one of the many albums "Produced by George Avakian" in my collection. Not surprisingly, quite a few of them are among my all-time faves. Miles, Duke, Basie, Louis, BG, Garner and countless others all experienced the Avakian at one time or another during the course of their careers.

George Avakian passed away on November 22. He was 98.

Sadly missed.

Obituary.

Lance.