Serge Chaloff | Bongo in Squaresville . 15

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These tunes are primarily taken from Boston Blow-up by The Serge Chaloff Sextet ... Serge Chaloff, baritone sax. Boots Musulli, alto sax. Herb Pomeroy, trumpet. Ray Santisi, piano. Everett Evans, bass. Jimmy Zitano, drums. Recorded April 1955 in New York City for the Stan Kenton Presents imprint on Columbia. Other cuts are from Blue Serge. Enjoy this set - and Bongo in Squaresville, devoted to Boston's jazz music, every Wednesday evening - on Radio Roofscape.

Sergical
Thanks for the Memories
Bob the Robin
What's New
All the Things You Are
Susie's Blues
Body and Soul
A Handful of Stars
Stairway to the Stars

Serge Chaloff, born just a few years before Miles, in Boston on November 24, 1923, died at half his age and missed a good shot at earning the mantle of one of the most significant modern jazz masters. But the evidence is preserved in two recordings made leading his own groups during the 50's - Boston Blow-up and Blue Serge.

Chaloff parents were renowned pianists and piano teachers. His father Julius played with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and his mother, known as Madame Chaloff, was an important teacher whose students included Keith Jarrett, Kenny Werner, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Steve Kuhn. And, of course, young Serge.

Image ... Serge Chaloff (lower left) in recording session.

July 26, 2010

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Bob the Chef's on Columbus Ave. is no more and hasn't been for some time. Would that it had held in there, after decades, like Charlie's (maintained by a dynastic Greek family) down the street so that we had one remaining soul food spot in the South End. Since its demise it's gone through 2 upscale jazz club concepts and both folded (the Stork CLub, a doomed name, lasting less than a year), and is about to embark on a third incarnation.

Cleaned the house on Sunday then spent the afternoon at the garden. Too hot to do a damn thing except read, relax and water - myself and the plants. The free ice machine at HoJo's (2 blocks away across from Fenway Park) has been fixed! Now it shoots cubes like nobody's business. So happy! Had ice water all afternoon.

Quote of the Day
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
P.J. O'Rourke

Image ... Mural at Bob the Chef's, South End.