> Eumir Deodato ... yeahhhh, another blast from my past. I didn't think it was
> jazz the first time I listened to "Prelude" though... at the time I thought
> it was funky instrumental music to dance to. :) Interesting bunch of
...
Yes, I made the transition, or whatever you would call it, from artists
like Deodato and George Benson in the mid-70s, to fusion (Di Meola and so
on) then to the more standard jazz artists of earlier days (Coltrane et
al). I would support any music that gets a person to "want to hear more"
and, eventually, develop a broader understanding and enjoyment of jazz in
particular. "It's (been) a long road" (F.P.) for us geezers but a great trip.
(Non-aj warning) Speaking of Benson, I found out only in recent times
that "This Masquerade" was written and performed by Leon Russell. I found
it hard to believe at the time, having heard Russell back in the very
early 70s at venues such as Fillmore West--then heard the his version on
one of his earlier albums--nice. I mention this because that song remains
Benson's trademark to this day--saw in concert and was dissappointed
because most of the music he played was at least 10 years old and I
wanted to hear his recent stuff. I'm going to the first weekend of the
Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans in a couple of weeks and will
check him out again there, I suppose. At least in that wonderful place,
if I don't hear what I want I can walk over to one of the other tents and
hear something else. Sorry this got way off track (delete).
bil
bdwyer@nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu