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Philadelphia's Cal Massey was #BOTD in 1928. Here he is (on trumpet) with McCoy Tyner, Tootie Heath, Clarence Sharpe..
Massey doesn't get his due. You could easily make a case for him as one of the standout composers of the era.
What a melodist.
Here come a bunch of his tunes. https://twitter.com/RealMcCoyTyner/status/1303014633721167873
Massey doesn't get his due. You could easily make a case for him as one of the standout composers of the era.
What a melodist.
Here come a bunch of his tunes. https://twitter.com/RealMcCoyTyner/status/1303014633721167873
Cal Massey Festival #1
Everybody... especially his fellow Philadelphians... recorded Massey's tunes.
When I think of Cal Massey, I think first of "These Are Soulful Days," memorably recorded by Lee Morgan.
Everybody... especially his fellow Philadelphians... recorded Massey's tunes.
When I think of Cal Massey, I think first of "These Are Soulful Days," memorably recorded by Lee Morgan.
Cal Massey Festival #2
What about Massey's "Nakatini Serenade" ?
Coltrane....
What about Massey's "Nakatini Serenade" ?
Coltrane....
Cal Massey Festival #3
Another beauty by Massey: "Lady Charlotte," performed here by Cedar Walton
Another beauty by Massey: "Lady Charlotte," performed here by Cedar Walton
Cal Massey Festival #4
"Lady Charlotte" again, this time played by Cal's saxophonist son Zane Massey. (And where is Zane these days?)
"Lady Charlotte" again, this time played by Cal's saxophonist son Zane Massey. (And where is Zane these days?)
Cal Massey Festival #5
Cal composed this one too: "Message from Trane"
Jackie McLean...
Cal composed this one too: "Message from Trane"
Jackie McLean...
Cal Massey Festival #6
"Quiet Dawn," composed by Massey and recorded by Archie Shepp on "Attica Blues" in 1972.
That's Cal's little (at the time) girl Waheeda on vocals.
Leroy Jenkins poking out of the string section on violin.
Shepp's tenor...
"Quiet Dawn," composed by Massey and recorded by Archie Shepp on "Attica Blues" in 1972.
That's Cal's little (at the time) girl Waheeda on vocals.
Leroy Jenkins poking out of the string section on violin.
Shepp's tenor...
Cal Massey Festival #7
"Goodbye Sweet Pops," another of Cal's tunes.
Also from Archie's "Attica Blues"
"Goodbye Sweet Pops," another of Cal's tunes.
Also from Archie's "Attica Blues"
Cal Massey Festival #8
Freddie Hubbard recorded a couple of Massey tunes, as well.
"Assunta," 1962
So wistful and pretty...
Freddie Hubbard recorded a couple of Massey tunes, as well.
"Assunta," 1962
So wistful and pretty...
Cal Massey Festival #9
"The Cry of My People"... Lee Morgan's version, 1967
Cuts to the soul, right?
Cedar Walton's on piano
"The Cry of My People"... Lee Morgan's version, 1967
Cuts to the soul, right?
Cedar Walton's on piano
Cal Massey Festival #10
Is the point being made?
Here's Massey's "Fiesta," played by Philly Joe Jones.
Is the point being made?
Here's Massey's "Fiesta," played by Philly Joe Jones.
Cal Massey Festival #11
And just for kicks: Here's Charlie Parker playing Massey's "Fiesta"
Bird plays Massey...
And just for kicks: Here's Charlie Parker playing Massey's "Fiesta"
Bird plays Massey...
Cal Massey Festival #12
We started with this one earlier today: "I Thought I'd Let You Know"
McCoy Tyner, off "Expansions," 1968
Ron Carter on cello
Perfect solo by McCoy
Herbie Lewis -- bass
Freddie Waits -- drums
Maybe a bit of flute in there from Gary Bartz
We started with this one earlier today: "I Thought I'd Let You Know"
McCoy Tyner, off "Expansions," 1968
Ron Carter on cello
Perfect solo by McCoy
Herbie Lewis -- bass
Freddie Waits -- drums
Maybe a bit of flute in there from Gary Bartz
Cal Massey Festival #12 (continued)
Sorry -- here's McCoy playing Cal's "I Thought I'd Let You Know"
Happy 93rd birthday up there, Cal. You were some kind of genius.
Sorry -- here's McCoy playing Cal's "I Thought I'd Let You Know"
Happy 93rd birthday up there, Cal. You were some kind of genius.
. @GreensteinMusic reminds me of something I should've mentioned.
Stanley Cowell composed a tribute to "Cal Massey." The best-known version is on Clifford Jordan's "Glass Bead Games."
Stanley Cowell
Clifford Jordan
Bill Lee
Billy Higgins
#CalMassey
Stanley Cowell composed a tribute to "Cal Massey." The best-known version is on Clifford Jordan's "Glass Bead Games."
Stanley Cowell
Clifford Jordan
Bill Lee
Billy Higgins
#CalMassey
Finally (I think), the late great Stanley Cowell recorded his "Cal Massey" tribute several times.
This is a good one:
This is a good one:
