Double Bass Don Thompson

[Eric Jackson]

That fine French bass that Don has, was it a Chanot? It seems he had one of those cool stories about how he got it. You know... a strange happening that allowed him to buy it for some ridiculously low price.
Anyone remember?

Yup, 1846 Chanot. He bought it in the early '70's, he didn't say where or for what price, but he did tell me about having Heinl's in Toronto do a major resto on it. The top was pressed in a plaster cast to eliminate sinkage at the bottom of the bass bar, new bar, post patch, crack repair, etc, etc. It has the same ivory- handled tuning machines that Charlie Haden's bass has. (If I remember right, Haden's bass is also French- a Vuillaume?)

Don's bass has unbelievable power and sustain. I'm sure his sound has a lot to do with his hands, too. As I mentioned at the top of this thread, I sat about eight feet in front of him for an evening recently, and was just totally blown away. As others have said, he deserves much wider recognition.

And yeah, Bourbon Street was the place to go in the '70s. All the heavyweights that came through Toronto played there, and there were a lot of great live recordings made there too. Don was one of the first guys I saw live when I started playing double bass.

Also, rumour has it that Ed Bickert may resurface and start playing again.

 

[Paul Warburton]

This one was just reissued: Ed Bickert/DonThompson "At The Garden Party" (Sackville SKCD-4005). Definitive Don Thompson along with some new tracks not on the LP. Highly recomended.

It's nice to know that Don's still doing it. As I said I spent some time with him when he was with George Shearing....but you guys seem to know a lot more about what's up with him now. He was so much fun to play with when he was playing piano, because he knows how to play with a bass player beause he is one! Some piano players, even highly thought of players, don't know how to voice their chords...even after all those Bill Evans years, they still voice thir chords including the bass notes. That's what we're there for!!
I have the Sackville Ed and Don on vinyl.
The Don Thomson vinyl I mentioned is called "A Beautiful Friendship" with Don on piano and bass, John Abercrombie, Dave Holland, and drummer Michael Smith. Concord, 1984.
Eric, I didn't know Bickert was not playing. His big claim to fame besides being a really great guitarist, using those beautiful Jim Hall type voicings, is that warm sound he gets on that solid body Fender Guitar. Why was he not playing? I knew the Chanot machines looked familiar...yeah Charlies Vuillaume.
As I also mentioned, Don sent me some unreleased Jim Hall with he and Terry Clarke...from that session they did at Bourbon St. ( some people are not aware that Don is also an ACE recording engineer..you can hear the bass plucking open strings, while Don's playing with the volume knob on the machine!!) They play "How Deep is the Ocean" and during Jim's and Terry's guitar and drums exchanges, Jim and Don change the tonal center!! The first time I heard that, I had to go change my underwear!

 

[msw]

I heard Ed Bickert stopped playing, when two terrible things occured in his life: the sudden death of his wife and a serious fall that resulted in two broken wrists. I was told that even when his wrists healed, they were not the same (bad arthritis) and that he decided to retire.
It is great news if he is playing again!

 

[Paul Warburton]

I heard Ed Bickert stopped playing, when two terrible things occured in his life: the sudden death of his wife and a serious fall that resulted in two broken wrists. I was told that even when his wrists healed, they were not the same (bad arthritis) and that he decided to retire.
It is great news if he is playing again!

I know how it feels to lose a wife. The wrist thing sounds awful! It really is good news to hear he's back.

 

[Tom Baldwin]

As I also mentioned, Don sent me some unreleased Jim Hall with he and Terry Clarke...from that session they did at Bourbon St. They play "How Deep is the Ocean" and during Jim's and Terry's guitar and drums exchanges, Jim and Don change the tonal center!! The first time I heard that, I had to go change my underwear!

Jim Hall Live! is one of my favorite recordings. If there are any other recordings of this trio, I'd snap them up pronto. AFAIK it's the only one commercially available.

 

[Paul Warburton]

Jim Hall Live! is one of my favorite recordings. If there are any other recordings of this trio, I'd snap them up pronto. AFAIK it's the only one commercially available.

There's one called "Jazz Impressions of Japan" with this same band. As well as " The Jim Hall Trio in Tokyo" with Don and Terry. Don plays some piano on on the Tokyo concert. You'll have to search for these. I got them from a friend. AFAIK, that's it for those guys. Here's some more of my favorite Jim Hall that are just as enjoyable in different ways: "Beija Flor", "All Across the City", "Jim Hall's Three", "Dedications and Inspirations" "Jim Hall Trio featuring Tom Harrell "These Rooms"
Most of the above have Steve LaSpina on bass who ain't no slouch.
That duo thing Jim did with Ron Carter is nice, and for me, the best Ron Carter available. It's live from some club in NY.
My three favorite Jim Hall things are the two he did with Bill Evans and " Jim Hall and Red Mitchell Live from Sweet Basil's" This one with Red is just plain thrilling...Well, you guys know how I feel about these guys. Unfortunately, it's unavailable unless you can find someone who has it, which is what I did since I wore out the vinyl.
There's some great Jim Hall from "The Old Days" when he was spending alot of time in L.A. working with that Chico Hamilton band with Fred Katz on cello. He and Red worked and recorded together as much as possible, including Red's debut on "Jazz Cello" "Live From the Renaissance" in Hollywood. Early 60's I guess. Red did the Pettiford bass tuning thing on cello. and again for my money was the best of this bunch of bassists who did the jazz cello thing WITH the exception of Oscar Pettiford!
The newer Jim Hall stuff i've kind of lost track of. I've heard a few things he's done with Scott Colley that sounded great. I got to know Scott in Europe when he was with Carmen McCrae. Anyway, you can see I get a little wound up when it comes to Jim Hall........

 

[Huy Nguyen]

I'm a big fan of Jim Hall's "Alone Together" w/ Ron Carter. But I'm in an endless search of Jim's early work. His new stuff is great, don't get me wrong, but his earlier work seemed sooo elegant. What I'm referring to is the period where he's working with guys like Art Farmer or with Paul Desmond. He and Paul Desmond did "Here's That Rainy Day" that is totally killer! Do you guys know of the album names to look out for during this time?

I also have a "Legends of Jazz Guitar Vol. 3" DVD (I don't know if it's still available) that features a tune with Jim Hall & Art Farmer from the 50's or 60's. Just listening and watching him play then is completely awe-inspiring! I almost didn't care for everyone else on that DVD. I could watch it over and over.

Get yourself a copy if you haven't seen it!

 

[Ed Fuqua]

There's one called "Jazz Impressions of Japan" with this same band. As well as " The Jim Hall Trio in Tokyo" with Don and Terry. Don plays some piano on on the Tokyo concert. You'll have to search for these. I got them from a friend. AFAIK, that's it for those guys. Here's some more of my favorite Jim Hall that are just as enjoyable in different ways: "Beija Flor", "All Across the City", "Jim Hall's Three", "Dedications and Inspirations" "Jim Hall Trio featuring Tom Harrell "These Rooms"
Most of the above have Steve LaSpina on bass who ain't no slouch.
That duo thing Jim did with Ron Carter is nice, and for me, the best Ron Carter available. It's live from some club in NY.
My three favorite Jim Hall things are the two he did with Bill Evans and " Jim Hall and Red Mitchell Live from Sweet Basil's" This one with Red is just plain thrilling...Well, you guys know how I feel about these guys. Unfortunately, it's unavailable unless you can find someone who has it, which is what I did since I wore out the vinyl.
There's some great Jim Hall from "The Old Days" when he was spending alot of time in L.A. working with that Chico Hamilton band with Fred Katz on cello. He and Red worked and recorded together as much as possible, including Red's debut on "Jazz Cello" "Live From the Renaissance" in Hollywood. Early 60's I guess. Red did the Pettiford bass tuning thing on cello. and again for my money was the best of this bunch of bassists who did the jazz cello thing WITH the exception of Oscar Pettiford!
The newer Jim Hall stuff i've kind of lost track of. I've heard a few things he's done with Scott Colley that sounded great. I got to know Scott in Europe when he was with Carmen McCrae. Anyway, you can see I get a little wound up when it comes to Jim Hall........

You got that stuff on CONTEMPORARY, the Hampton Hawes ALL NIGHT SESSIONS? Jim and Red with Hampton Hawes and I forget who on drums.

re:recent Jim Hall - I got a copy of the "supergroup" recording - Jim, George Mraz, Joe Lovano and Lewis Nash and, while I certainly wouldn't say it sucks, it leaves me emotionally uninvolved. Something like THESE ROOMS has such gorgeous playing on it and a real sense of "these guys have actually felt something", that it's hard to listen to something that isn't quite up to that level.

When I first moved to NYC I would go listen to music a LOT, especially the Jim Hall Quartet. Whenever they were at Basil's I would make 4 out of the 6 nights of the engagements, sitting close enough to put my feet on the edge of the stage. The band was Steve LaSpina, Gil Goldstein and Terry Clarke then, very swinging.

And Red at Bradley's.

I miss Bradley's...

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I'm a big fan of Jim Hall's "Alone Together" w/ Ron Carter. But I'm in an endless search of Jim's early work. His new stuff is great, don't get me wrong, but his earlier work seemed sooo elegant. What I'm referring to is the period where he's working with guys like Art Farmer or with Paul Desmond. He and Paul Desmond did "Here's That Rainy Day" that is totally killer! Do you guys know of the album names to look out for during this time?

I also have a "Legends of Jazz Guitar Vol. 3" DVD (I don't know if it's still available) that features a tune with Jim Hall & Art Farmer from the 50's or 60's. Just listening and watching him play then is completely awe-inspiring! I almost didn't care for everyone else on that DVD. I could watch it over and over.

Get yourself a copy if you haven't seen it!

RHINO has re released on VHS and DVD the Ralph Gleason JAZZ CASUAL series, 28 out of the 32 episodes that were shot.
Including the Art Farmer/Jim Hall quartet, with Steve Swallow and Walter Perkins (who passed recently). The programs run at about 30 minutes, some of the DVD/VHS combine a couple of programs.

So if you're into Jim Hall -
JAZZ CASUAL SERIES -Art Farmer/Jim Hall Quartet
CD - LIVE AT THE HALF NOTE as above same band
JAZZ CASUAL SERIES - Sonny Rollins Quartet (Jim Hall, Bob Cranshaw, Mickey Roker)
CD -THE BRIDGE - same band as above

The other JH/RC recording is TELEPHONE and they have both been re released as a combined CD.

 

[Eric Jackson]

Also, rumour has it that Ed Bickert may resurface and start playing again.

Mebbe I better be a little more specific here. I've heard two of the on-air guys on the local jazz radio station (Invalid Link Removed) say three or four times on-air that they've heard a rumour that Bickert may come out of retirement, and everyone in the Toronto jazz community is encouraging him to do so. That's all. I haven't seen him or even heard of any dates he's playing anywhere. I've never met the man myself, I only know what I've heard on the radio.

Hmm, what with most FM stations being available online now, maybe jazz radio needs a thread of its own...?

 

[BIg O]

Mebbe I better be a little more specific here. I've heard two of the on-air guys on the local jazz radio station (Invalid Link Removed) say three or four times on-air that they've heard a rumour that Bickert may come out of retirement, and everyone in the Toronto jazz community is encouraging him to do so. That's all. I haven't seen him or even heard of any dates he's playing anywhere. I've never met the man myself, I only know what I've heard on the radio.

Hmm, what with most FM stations being available online now, maybe jazz radio needs a thread of its own...?

I loved Ed's old beat-up Telecaster with the Gibson (?) Humbucking pickup in place of the original neck lipstick pickup. Here's a pic I found.

 

[Mike Goodbar]

"Ed Bickert" is my stock retort to anyone who argues that you can't play straight-ahead jazz on anything but a "big box."

 

[Huy Nguyen]

"Ed Bickert" is my stock retort to anyone who argues that you can't play straight-ahead jazz on anything but a "big box."

Doesn't Les Paul sorta play jazz on his Gibson Les Paul's? Or is he considered something other than a jazz player?

You could say that John Abercrombie does it, but he's probably considered more modern. I just remember photos of him with a tele too.

 

[Eric Jackson]

I saw Oscar Peterson last fall with his quartet, which included Ulf Wakenius playing a black Les Paul- shaped solid body.

 

[Paul Warburton]

You got that stuff on CONTEMPORARY, the Hampton Hawes ALL NIGHT SESSIONS? Jim and Red with Hampton Hawes and I forget who on drums.

Bruz Freeman. Never heard him before or again.
hdiddy, You might search under Paul Desmonds name. One that's real nice is "Glad to be Unhappy" with Percy Heath and Connie Kay. There are several with strings. These were released as kind of "romantic evenings" for the sophisticated folks of that period.The Contempory label stuff of Hampton Hawes Three volumes of Jim, Hamp, and Red (with gut strings!) just playin', that Ed mentions are called " All Night Sessions" because that's exactly what they are. Loose and swingin'!! Those are under Hamps name.

 

[oliebrice]

On the thread of great Jim Hall albums, Concierto is beautiful; Ron Carter, Chet Baker, Steve Gadd and Roland Hanna, all playing fantastically on the first half. The 2nd side is a psuedo-classical, "concierto de rodrigeuz" or something like that, which I can only stand to listen to about twice a year.

 

[Paul Warburton]

Concierto sounds a little slick to me....Roland Hanna's solo on the title cut is so clean, I wonder if he might have written it out? Chet plays some nice stuff on the other side though.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

On the thread of great Jim Hall albums, Concierto is beautiful; Ron Carter, Chet Baker, Steve Gadd and Roland Hanna, all playing fantastically on the first half. The 2nd side is a psuedo-classical, "concierto de rodrigeuz" or something like that, which I can only stand to listen to about twice a year.

I can listen to "Rock Skippin'" for hours from that album. I like happy tunes. **

Besides, Ron Carter sounds really hip on that tune.

 

[Paul Warburton]

. I like happy tunes. **
.[/s QUOTE]

I hate happy tunes.... I like very dark, depressing tunes.
One of my favorite albums is "Gloomy Sunday and Other Bright Moments " by Bob Brookmeyer.


Just kidding

 

[arto alho]

I know Paul Desmond did a live recording with Ed Bickert and Don Thompson ( Toronto about 1977...), I dont´t remember who played drums on that but I´m pretty sure he was also one these Toronto guys. I´d be interested if someone knows how to get a hold on that record. Paul, maybe?

R2