The good do indeed die young and nowhere less than in the world of jazz. However, despite the premature departures of Bix, Bird and many more, there are some who have defied the odds. One such venerable jazzman is Bill Crow who today (Dec. 27) celebrates his 95th birthday.
Bill Crow made his mark as the lynch pin in many of Gerry Mulligan's pianoless quartets which, needless to say, speaks volumes. He was the anchor man who provided the harmonic foundation for Mulligan and/or Baker, Brookmeyer and Eardley to provide an alternative look at jazz and bop as it was then.
However, Bill Crow is more, much, much more than a talented bassist he's also a fine writer who, writing from his experiences of mixing with, and gigging with many of the greatest names in modern jazz, produced two of the best jazz books ever.
From Birdland to Broadway is autobiographical and Jazz Anecdotes is exactly that. An update on Nat Shapiro's Hear me Talkin' to ya and the inspiration for this site's Bebop Spoken There
If you haven't read them then start Googling now. I'm sure Amazon will oblige. Here's a thought - maybe your local bookstore could order them for you.
Whatever, by hook or by crook, seek them out.
Essential reading. Lance
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