Donald Raphael Garrett

dhadleyray · #1 12-23-2004, 08:17 PM

I was wondering... Has anyone ever heard of a bassist named Donald Raphael Garrett? He used to play with Sun Ra and John Coltrane. I studied with him in Illinois in the late eighties for awhile. Unfortunately, he died in Champaign IL. in the early 90's. I was in Philly studying with Gerald Veasley, and he knew about Raphael. He's mentioned in a few biographies on Coltrane, but I can't find any records. I know the question is somewhat obtuse, but miracles can happen... or so I've heard.

oliebrice · #2 12-30-2004, 06:32 AM

I know very little about him, but he plays bass clarinet on a few Coltrane records. Not 100% sure which ones, but if my memory is correct then "Kulu Se Mama" and "Impressions"

oliebrice · #3 12-30-2004, 06:34 AM

a quick web-search just showed that he's on Coltranes "Live in Seattle", (I think on b clarinet), and that he worked with Alice Coltrane and Frank Lowe

M Paroo · #4 12-31-2004, 12:13 AM

I ran across this list of selected recordings in Groves Dictionary of Jazz ...

As sideman: J. Coltrane: Live in Seattle (1965, Imp. 9202-2); Om (1965, Imp. 9140); Kulu se mama (1965, Imp. 9106); on [various artists]: Live at the Festival (1970–73, Enja 2030), A. Shepp: Sonny’s Back (1973); J. Jarman and D. Moye: Earth Passage-density (1981, BS 0052); Jazz Doctors: The Jazz Doctors (1983, Cadillac 1011); K. El’Zabar: Sacred Love (1985, Sound Aspects 021).

The brief bio lists some of the others he played/recorded with ... Ira Sullivan, Roland Kirk, the Experimental Band, the Sea Ensemble.

~ Mari

dhadleyray · #5 12-31-2004, 01:19 PM

I'm speechless... I really appreciate the replys. I've been reflecting on a few opportunities I should have explored more. It's kinda strange that for awhile in my life, when I mentioned to people I studied with Raphael, the older cats gave me a lot of respect. I didn't understand who he was until he was gone. I also learned from Pete Bridgewater. Not about theory, but little lessons or tricks he'd play on me. Now he's gone too. I live in London now and I find the music community a little "cold." there isn't that much work, and being a "Philly" guy, I try to help anyone that approaches me. In Philly the community was more open and the cats took you under their wing.(Gerald Veaslet, Jamalaadeen Tacuma) Here everyone seems to worry that you'll take their gig. Also, there are a lot of people around that should still be practicing at home. Therer is a trend of learning just enough to get by. Younger players I meet feel they deserve the success without paying any dues. When I say "why do you deserve success more than the next guy?" 50% of the time I hear "because I'm a good person." No sh*t! I cite Raphael as an example of someone I knew that played for the love of playing and I get the "so what?" vibe. Oops, forgive me, There I was, taking life too seriously. I'm just thankful I knew somebody soo serious about the bass and I appreciate your help.

**Damon Rondeau** · #6 01-01-2005, 08:00 PM

Garrett played with Monk, too, it turns out.

It's a coincidence that I'm reading a Monk bio right now. A few pages back I read that in December 1970 Garrett did a month-long gig with Monk at the Both/And Club in San Francisco. He was a local pickup 'cause Larry Ridley couldn't do it. Apparently he got good notices from a local critic.

Drummer was Clarence Becton.

M Paroo · #7 01-02-2005, 10:59 AM

I just noticed that you get more hits in google if you use "donald rafael garrett".

dhadleyray - welcome to TalkBass.

dhadleyray · #8 01-02-2005, 12:39 PM

thanks! I'll check it out..

teleharmonium · #9 01-08-2005, 01:38 PM

Great player. If you're into more out material I highly recommend the Sea Ensemble recording on ESP. It was a duo with his then wife who is still a busy musician, Zusaan Kali Fasteau.
I have heard some of his less common recordings, such as the two other Sea Ensemble records released only in Italy on Red, the Jarman/Moye thing on Black Saint and the Jazz Doctors LP on Cadillac, I love all of those. Another record with Garrett that I would hope would have some sort of current CD availability is Dewey Redman's "Look for the Black Star", which originally came out in Holland in the 60s but was available in the 70s on Arista Freedom in the US.

http://www.bardoworks.it/rafael.html

dhadleyray · #10 01-09-2005, 09:23 PM

Thanks! I can't believe how helpful everybody's been! When I studied with him, It was intense... The only reason I didn't keep going was the simple fact I was poor. I knew he was occasionally doing a gig at a place in Champaign, Urbana called "Natures Table." Sometimes when things were rough they gave him a gig and fed him and a saxophonist named "Guido Sinclair." Naturally, the University hurt the scene by closing down the club and putting a parking lot there. Alison Krauss's brother Victor played there as well as John Pinell (Union Station).

It's a shame that he didn't get the accolades that were his due, but thanks to you guys, I can get the records. Thanks!