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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1977)
T H E MeCOY T Y N E R S E X T E T Unquestionably. the days when McCoy Tyner was known as “John Coltrane s pianist have passed Although he first came to fame in the saxophonist's legendary quartet tof which he was a member from 195» to 1965), he has in recent years built up a large and devoted following with his own groups. His style, which he describes as “an outgrowth of bebop" a - well as a descendant of Coltrane's modal, scalar approach, has acquired its own definite identity. In a word, his playing is percussive. He is given to pounding out rhythms in the bas register as if it were a »et of drums. He gets striking, bell like tones out of the upper register. Notes sometimes fall with the density and crispness of a hailstorm. His powerhouse playing e ned him Jazzman OF The Year awards in 1975 from both Downbeat and Rolling Stone, as well as outspoken praise from uncommon sources Radical keyboard innovator Cecil Taylor, a neighbor of Tyner's in New Jersey, has called him “one of the leading creative forces on the piano today. (In fact, McCoy seems to be moving in a direction similar to Taylor's, though less free rhythmically and more tune-oriented.I Tyner s formal study began in Philadelphia, where he was born (December 11. I9.»l. He studied at the West Philadelphia Music School and at the Granoff Music School. At 15, he was leading an RftB group, but soon graduated to the local jazz scene. When he was 17 playing with trumpeter Calvin Massey's band at the Red Rooster, he met John Coltrane, who was then between stints with Miles Davis. They worked two jobs logeth. r and parted with a verbal agreement to form a band, if Coltrane ever went out on his own. McCoy spent the next few years as a nocturnal musician, working days as a shipping clerk until he was handed his ticket out of Philly by the Jazztet, a professionally packaged hand led by Art Farmer (trumpet) and Benny Golson (tenor sax). But six months later. McCoy heard that Coltrane was forming hiw own group. Choosing his musical instincts over his obligation to the Jazztet. Tyner went with him. Throughout his career, McCoy's wife Aisha, whom he married in his teens, and his religious conviction have been principle sources of strength. Since his youth, he has been a practicing member of the Ahmadiyaya Movement of Islam. “Jazz in fact, started as a religious music," he remarks, “and music generally began as a form of praise io the Creator." McCoy speaks of ‘the Creator’, not of god'. “I believe that the idea ol man was conceived out of love," he explains. “I like the word Creator because it denotes a deity that loves his creation, instead of something that sits in judgment." For most of us who were at the Concert Saturday night at the Civic Auditorium, we already know about Tyner and his accomplishments down through the years. We just wanted to share in the experience and we did. Charlie Mingus - The Legend Goes On! There aren’t a lot of living legends in jazz music today, but Charlie Mingus is certainly one of them. I wouldn't pretend to say that I can relate to the entire musical spectrum of Mingus because his depth as far as music is concerned is terminal. Some people mentioned after the concert that on a couple of selections Mingus went out too far and they didn’t understand where he was coming from. I told them that I knew what they meant in a way. But when a jazz musician like: Miles, Monk, or a Mingus lakes you out. they always Oring you hack, besides you can expect to go to a Charlie Mingus concert and expect the ordinary from him. Its just not in him. He's won practically every jazz award available, both here and abroad. Yes, he's arrogant, yes, he ignores many of the social graces an artist is supposed to display and yes, he s a living legend! , Check I t Out "Gentleman" Gene Diamond has flown the coop to Houston, Texas for a four-day engagement with comedian Jackie Vernon at the posh Cross Roads International the Palm Springs ol lexas. P .0. Style, a group of young female dancers, won the talent show Sunday night. B.B. King will be appearing April 28 30th at the Hayloft in Vancouver, Washington. Announcement! Highland Community Center T-Shirt day is coming up soon! On April 13th (a Wednesday) the center asks that everyone wear their Highland T-Shirt, The new T-Shirts are top quality shirts with bold royal blue lettering. Bargain prices - $1.99 for boys sizes M, L. and EL and $2.49 for men's sizes M and L. Highland has been an active community agency for the past nine years working with individuals in counseling, advocacy Musical Express.) Unlike the majority of groups in the music industry who are judged by how much of a commercial hit their current record is. The Crusaders are respected for their high quality musicianship. The greatest tribute to their musical genius occurred at a concert last year in Los Angeles when Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Eric Clapton joined The Cru- Modern Jazz Quintet together The original members of the Jazz Quartet, back together again for their first historic tour since disbanding in 1974, appear in concert at the Portland Auditorium on Tuesday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m. Called "The best of the best,” by noted jazz writer Leonard Feather and “best small jazz ensemble in the U.S.A.," by Downbeat magazine, the MJQ fuses the Medical experts are finding today that many physical and mental disorders are the result of hypoglycemia. Dr. Carious F. Mason, a biochemist from Riverside, CA., will speak April 13 at the Downtown YWCA about the problem caused by low blood sugar. The lecture, followed by a question and answer period, is sponsored by the Portland YWCA Health, Physical Educa tion and Recreation Department and will be at the Downtown YWCA, 1111 S.W. 10th Avenue, at 7:30 p.m. There will be a $ 1.50 admission fee. Low blood sugar is a metabolic dis order which can cause depression, irrit ability. headaches, allergies, fainting spells and fatigue. It can lead to alcoholism and even drug addiction. Many doctors now believe that there are 282-8361 FO R B R A N D S ypu kn o w -V A R IE T IE S you like SEMLER EASY CREDIT — — S y iM iW r « « ' All Optical IHSURAM« a .» J 1 i©®« « I i Since 190» * M tS tB tH /b * UNITILI GROCtl* ★ — ★ SOT LINS CONTACT • P m m b m i aad WeMsi PilwOi UskMsd S ffl AUMTORIUM 'SAT., APMl 9 Spa TKWS n». «ut M O l Mfc •! U h T W « M m . « n « T w m a V, Plumbing Repairs This week’s special DRAINS UNBLOCKED WITH ELECTRIC ROOTER SI2.95 PER HOUR. an"d seiv T 'lm es 'aUndry iMClUti“ ’ n° ° r draina ra‘" S ALSO AVAILABLE remodeiingUCet PLUMBING REPAIRS S16.95 AN HOUR. Hot water h*’ater ,a les 4 •«'’vice. Kitchen ft bathroom Phone Tickets for this Northwest Releasing event are on sale at The Ticket Place at Lipmans (downtown). First Federal in Vancouver and the Auditorium. millions of Americans who have a moder ate or severe case of hypoglycemia. Dr. Mason says that hypoglycemia means below normal blood sugar but that is in itself only a symptom. “The real problem is much deeper,", says Dr. Mason, “we cannot come to an under standing by seeing that the sugar is below or above normal." He adds that the many symptoms only confuse re searchers and lists poor prenatal care, stress and poor diet as contributors to hypoglycemia. One reason for the high incidence of hypoglycemia today says Dr. Mason “is that we are now reaping the results of poor diet in the children left at home while the mothers of the ’40's helped to win the war.’’ He points out the growth of fast and convenience foods that fail to provide proper nutrition as factors. He says that we are now living with the results of this diet carried into its second generation. Dr. Mason has conducted extensive research into the problem of hypogly cemia for the past ten years. He has studied the physiology involved with low blood sugar, the roles of the adrenal gland, insulin, lactic acid and lipids and acetone accumulation. His lecture will include how a person gets hypoglycemia, its symptoms, physiology, testing and proper diet. After the speech, he will hold a discussion period for the benefit of participants. Dr. Mason has attended Madison Col lege in Madison, TN., LaSierra College in Arlington. CA., Southern Missionary Col lege in Collegedale, TN. He received his Itoctorate of Science Degree in Biochem istry from the Sussex College of Technol ogy in London, England. He has worked in stress research at the University of California. Further information about Dr. Mason's lecture on hypoglycemia is available by contacting the Downtown YWCA. Stretch youi imagination 227 72IMI Optometrists O p to m » tr n t S.W. 3rd 8 M ORRISON Assad*« Beetan ef Oetemetry-PORTlANB Lurry S E M L IR -M R. N l f U - M . M. KELIT Dr. J. Berry Dr. H. Webb Dr. E Kwan Dr. R. Headerstadt try EZ Dating Bank Am eriCard M aster Charge 286-2890 DR. JEFFREY BRADY Says: Do Not Pot Off Needed Dental Caro” Enjoy Dental Health N a w and Im prove Your Appearance Come In A t Your Convenience Open Saturday Morning • No Appointment Needed • Complete Coojieration On All Dental Insurance Plans • Complete Dental Services Union or Company Dental Insurance Coverage Accepted On Your Needed Dentistry Park Free Any Park n ’’hop Lot HOURS: Weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. . JEFFREY BRADY, DBITIST SEMLER BUILDING S.W. 3rd ft Morrison St. Portland. Oregon Take Elevator to 2nd Floor 3rd ifl. Entrance Phenes 22 8 -7 5 4 5 Bob Nelson Cal Toran Y O U M IG H T BE SURPRISED w h a t your p ro p e rly could sell fo r on the present re a l eslate m arket. C all Cal or Bob for a m arket value update. No o b lig a tio n , of course Still serviag the community AS THE HOME FOLKS FOR Office» Alto in SAUKKONNE A MASU K U Jiffy Drais Service ef Oregee and classical music into the smooth, refined excellence that first startled the world of jazz in the 50's. Ions LocotaU m U M L I t OPTICAL OFFICI S * Stores In Town| — Ask Us About SIZES you w a n t T ■ • »a X r » « i ETE E u m í m I mb Accepted DR. LAKKY finest elements of swing, bee bop, blues Doctor discusses blood sugar Minor Repair« - No Charge Pick -up A Delivery IENOWS Special Quest SERVING ALL OF PORTLAND 7 DAYS A WEEK. 24 HOURS A DAY ONE DAY SERVICE SHOP I on stage for the honor of jamming with them. The group blends the immense talents of Nesbert “Stix" Hooper (drums), Joe Sample (keyboards), Wilton Felder (ten or sax), Larry Carlton (Guitar) and Robert "Pops" Popwell (bass). Their most recent ABC/Blue Thumb album, the two record set “The Best of the Crusad ers”, features prime selections from their previous ABC/Blue Thumb records. Singer Al Jarrean, whose latest Re prise album is entitled “We Got By.” joins the Crusaders on the bill as special guest. Tickets for the Northwest Releasing event are on sale at the Ticket Place at Lipmans (downtown). First Federal in Vancouver and the Auditorium. The Crusaders come to Portland’s Auditorium for a concert Saturday. April 9th at 8:00 p.m. “When it comes to pumping out jazz- funk be-bop rock, sliced over slabs of R and B. and ocean blues, the Crusaders are simply the best, no competition. There’s no one to touch them." (Max Bell. New NORTH a NX. PORTLAND N. Alexander, Proprietor in the courts, youth in recreation and counseling, and various community pro jects. Show support on "Highland T-Shirt Day", April 13th by wearing your High land T-Shirt. Shirts are available at the Highland Office - at the King Facility next to M.L. School. 4815 N.E. 7th, open 9-5 P.M. Limited number available. All proceeds go toward vital community programs. Crusaders visit Portland PORTLAND CLEANING WORKS KNIT BLOCKING OUR SPECIALTY 39 66 N. Wiliams Ave. THE CRUSADERS CaU Vickie 235-1970 f. G. Stassens, Inc. Realtors Hollywood Office 288-8871