This had nothing to do with the World Cup where one of the World's super powers, as is their wont, was taking on a banana republic. No, this was Stingray djazz, a Dutch channel that broadcasts jazz 24/7.
When I tuned in they were screening Jaco playing The Chicken - wow! Since then a Kenny Barron quintet live in the then peaceful Ukraine, the Art Farmer/Jim Hall Quartet and several concerts from the North Sea Jazz Festival.
As I type I'm listening to the Woody Herman Herd of 1964 live in the UK.
This was arguably the greatest of Herman's contemporary herds:
Woody Herman (clarinet, alto sax, vocals); Bill Chase, Billy Hunt. Paul Fontaine, Gerry Lamy, Danny Nolan (trumpets); Phil Wilson, Henry Southall, Kenny Wenzel (trombones); Sal Nistico, Garry Klein, Tom Anastos (tenor sax); Joe Romano (baritone sax); Nat Pierce (piano, arranger); Chuck Andrus (bass); Jake Hanna (drums).
This brought back memories of hearing the very same line-up at Newcastle City Hall 62 years ago. Nistico on tenor, Wilson on trombone, Bill Chase on lead, Jake Hanna driving, Nat Pierce and, of course, Woody on vocals, clarinet and alto and the rest of the sixteen swingers blowing like only the Herman herd could.
This was the Jazz World Cup! Lance
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