Nice interview. I only met Alan one time years ago at Carmelos, he probably doesn't even remember me. I called him a few years ago and left a message on his machine that I was selling my Yamaha S6 piano if he was interested or might know someone that was-he never called me back. I've heard him play many times through the years and of course always enjoyed him. He likes the same songs I do .
I was probably one of those "3 or 4 people" in the audience he referred to at Dinos in Pasadena, Dontes, Carmelos and other places over a 30 year span. He's right about Charlie O's-brutal piano...part of the reason I never hustled a gig there. It was sad to see it close though.
My good friend who has played on a few of my CDs, drummer Kendall Kay, was part of Alan's trio the last few years along with his long time friend, bassist Putter Smith.
I was surprised when I heard he was moving to NY, I hope it works out for him. I saw in the Times he played a farewell solo concert at the Steinway store in W. Hollywood a few months back. Unfortunately I had a gig that night and couldn't make it.
Interesting his comments in part 1 where he mentions the younger generation of jazz players today playing in 17/8 or whatever with ridiculous facility yet musically there's something that leaves you cold about the music. I feel very strongly like that as well. It's hard for me to listen to most younger players in spite of their odd time mastery and chops...too much angst in the music to my ears.
Great to hear he plays *at* the Chopin Etudes every morning. I've been humbling myself for over 30 years now with those...
Thanks for posting that Jake.
