Thursday, February 26, 2009

james clay tribute @ arts fifth avenue, 4.9.2009

jhon kahsen sends:

An event entitled "Remembering James Clay" will take place Saturday, April 4, 2009 at Arts Fifth Avenue in Fort Worth.

The great tenor saxophonist passed away in 1995, yet this will be the belated first tribute to one whose musicianship has been highly praised by such famous artists as Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, Don Cherry, David Newman, Dewey Redman, Billy Higgins, Ray Charles, Hank Crawford, and others. He's the tenor player Miles Davis reportedly sought through an ad in Down Beat magazine just before hiring John Coltrane. (I'd love to know if this story is true - Clay was an "inside" player who rightly earned the nickname "Heavy", and he always played from the heart.)

Wow! I'm very excited to be part of this, as I was always privileged to gig with him. His widow will attend the concert and featured performers will include multi-instrumentalist Roger Boykin: guitarist Clint Strong; drummer Duane Durrett, vocalist Sandra Kaye, trumpeter Willie T. Albert, myself and a bassist yet to be determined. Lots of memorabilia will be on display. Clay's recordings will be heard at intermission and before the concert. Musicians and friends will share their memories during a spoken segment of the program.


looking fwd to this. clay worked with my friend brian quigley at the dallas record distributor's warehouse that brian managed off and on while he was getting his master's. we saw him play one gig while he was "retired" from music. my other friend jim yanaway recorded return to the wide open spaces with clay and david "fathead" newman live at caravan of dreams and released it on his amazing records label in 1990.

also noticed that arts fifth will be presenting a performance by thelonious, gtrist sam walker's monk tribute band (including joey carter on piano, rick stitzel on trumpet, and dave williams on tenor), on saturday, march 14th. tickets are $15 for that one.

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