One of those 'Lestorian' tenors now long forgotten by all but those of us with long memories (i.e. old timers).
I was fortunate to see him live on a couple of occasions. Once at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the early '80s when he was part of a sextet led by Shelly Manne which also had Curtis Fuller on trombone and Mose Allison on piano. A bizarre combination that worked.
The second time was equally bizarre. It was at a club on the outer fringes of Covent Garden and, to quote one of Ronnie Scott's famous one-liners, the chuckers out really were chucking them in!
Not surprising as we were the only two punters in the room! Needless to say, Eager wasn't eager and he just went through the motions.
However, to hear him at his best there are a few broadcasts with Fats Navarro and a Blue Note album where he holds his own with Wardell Gray that are well worth checking out. Lester once referred to him as 'the best of the grey boys'.
When not blowing tenor he was a racing driver and a ski instructor!
One of those modern jazz characters that are now but a memory. Lance
1 comment :
Beautiful tone ..really feel it 💚🎼💚
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