'Jazz Name Dropper' a poem by Robin Hill

Jazz has always featured strongly in our lives and its influence can be heard in much of Robin's music.
He also loves poetry and often writes a few verses when the mood takes him.
I was therefore not surprised when, 'Jazz Name Dropper', was passed on to me.
Apparently, for some unknown reason, at the time of writing the whole passage was conceived in a gentle Welsh lilt...


Jazz Name Dropper

I had a beer with Chick Corea
Played a shaker for Chet Baker
Had several binges with Charlie Mingus
Strolled in the park with Stanley Clarke
Bought pizzas and ate ‘em with old Art Tatum
Met the wife, Mavis, through Miles Davis
Sailed in a vessel with Barney Kessel
Received a personal cheque from Dave Brubeck
Was dubbed ‘glorious’ by Jaco Pastorius
Walked across Turin with Flora Purim
Played jazz-rock with Herb Hancock
Lived down the lane from John Coltrane
Appeared on telly with Stephane Grappelli
But I never met Django Reinhardt.....(I did however meet his son, Babik).

Robin Hill - 2013

Sunday Morning Music With Robin Hill

We haven't shared our Sunday morning music session with you for a while so I thought I would today.
As always it's a pretty eclectic mix obtained by putting the iPod on 'shuffle', sitting back, and enjoying.

1) Mozart

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No 23 in A Major k.488 Prelude:III.Allegro Assai.
This version was Chick Corea on piano with Bobby McFerrin conducting.
It was fantastic to hear two jazz musicians cross over to classical performances so convincingly.
I've written about Chick Corea on many occasions but it's a first for Bobby McFerrin. We also have an incredible vocal version of Bobby singing the Henry Mancini's theme the 'Pink Panther'.

Two other jazz players who managed to make the change to classical with great success were Benny Goodman and Herbie Hancock.

2)Come On, Come Over

Jaco Pastorius teamed up with the soul legends Sam and Dave on this extremely funky R&B tune.

3) Tehillim/ The Desert Music

Tehillim II:Psalms 34:13-15. Performed by Alarm Will Sound & Ossia and conducted by Alan Pierson.
This is, of course, the American composer, Steve Reich.

4) Michelle

The Beatles of course from their album 'Rubber Soul'.

5) Joke Shop Man

The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. Need I say more.

6) Prokofiev

Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op.63-1, Allegro Moderato.
Performed by Jascha Heifetz.

7) Respighi

Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No 1: 4. Passo Mezzo and Mascherada.
This was the Boston Symphony performing Respighi.

We had to leave it there as Robin needed to prepare for the last of his three summer concerts in the great outdoors.
Thankfully the sun is shining.

Fort Lauderdale and the Multiple 'Phone Calls

Once again Robin is in Fort Lauderdale. He was only there at the beginning of April! The QE2 docked in Port Everglade, Pier 21, if you are of a nautical persuasion. This is also the day that he jumps ship.
His bags are packed and he has a free day to while away before his flight. Unable to practice, he decided to leave case and guitar in a safe place, and take himself off on a shopping spree.
As this is one of the rare days that we can actually speak to each other, I keep getting 'phone calls telling me of his progress.

1) He's enjoying feeling the land beneath his feet, especially as it is very warm, and sunny.

2)After a short trip into town he found a huge shopping mall. One that he should have been directed to last time he was there when trying to buy clothes to last until his suitcase arrived. The taxi driver told him he was lucky to get out alive from the place he was taken to last time.....

3)He has found a very interesting CD shop where he had purchased a DVD of Joni Mitchell featuring Jaco Pastorius. You will recall that this is Jaco's hometown after all.
Also, a DVD of Chick Corea and some flamenco music.

I look forward to seeing them both, but for now, hopefully, they will keep Robin amused whilst he does some seriously long journeys.
He has more work to do yet, even if it is only to pay for the 'phone calls...

The Robin Hill Saga

And so it goes on.
Robin made it to Chicago, but his suitcase didn't. He's making a habit of travelling very light these days.
He then had to endure another flight to Miami, unsure when, or if, he will get his case back, before the QM2 sets sail.
He spent the night in a hotel, and when he got up early the next morning, couldn't face his travel weary clothes.
The only shop open at that time of day was part of the hotel, so he ventured in to purchase a shirt. No such luck, the only thing they had was a t-shirt, with 'M*I*A*M*I' emblazoned across the chest. I think he's more distressed to be seen wearing it than he is about the loss of 10 days worth of clothes.

There's a bigger problem though. If the case doesn't arrive before 5pm US time, then he won't see it until Thursday when he docks in Bonaire.
Thanks to the security alerts last year, strings, nail kit, footstool, all have to be in the 'lost' case.
Whilst Robin's guitar obviously does have strings on, he needs to change the treble strings prior to every concert. Therefore will need a set of Savarez very quickly.

I read the other day that Fergie, from the Black Eyed Peas, recently suffered a similar fate with the loss of luggage, except they lost all 30 (!) of her cases. How does she remember which case she packed her nail kit in? I'm sure it's tiny compared to the one Robin needs. Which brings me to another point. Every day minor repairs to nails are required. No nail kit, no repair.

So, having settled into his very nice room on board ship, (at least it didn't take long to unpack), he decided it best to assume the case wouldn't appear, so urgent supplies were needed.

With the help of a local taxi driver he found a music shop and got himself some strings and a footstool. He was delighted to see a huge picture of Jaco Pastorius on the wall, and when he asked the shop keeper if Jaco had frequented this store the owner replied, "Hey, he was just a local guy"!

His friendly taxi driver then took him for some basics, you know, toothbrush, razor etc. He even managed to get a few pair of socks, but I, and Robin can't understand why they don't appear to sell underwear in Fort Lauderdale. Anywhere.
If any of our American readers can offer an explanation I'd be delighted to hear it!

So if you have been near Port Everglade, Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale today, and come across a rather dishevelled, unshaven, guitarist, sporting a 'M*I*A*M*I' t-shirt, I hope you were kind to him. If you see him again, will you lend him some suncream.