Russ Long Rides Again

The music of Russ Long got another public airing recently, this time in Topeka, Kan., an hour west of the pianist's home town of Kansas City, Mo. Arranged for septet by Long's long-time bandmate Gerald Spaits, the bakers dozen tunes included the pianist's most widely known, Save That Time.

Long died just over five years ago, after a long illness, but not before recording the septet arrangements for the appropriately-titled album Time To Go. Here's an interview I did with Spaits shortly after the album came out.

Or listen here:



I did my best to agitate for a performance of Time To Go as part of a Russ Long tribute for the Folly Theater's Jazz Season. Didn't happen. But it still could. And would still be fitting.

Russ Long's last project

Kansas City jazz musician Russ Long died of heart failure on New Years Eve, after a long struggle with congestive heart failure. He was 69.

On December 3rd, he'd celebrating the release of Time to Go: The Music of Russ Long, a CD with 13 original compositions and a bonus track: Russ singing Cole Prorter's "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," a leftover from a 2001 session. Most of the tracks are arranged for a seven-piece ensemble that sounds amazingly rich. There's also a solo accoustic guitar rendition of "Never Was Love" by Pat Metheny, who as a teenager played in an organ jazz ensemble with Long.

I talked with bassist Gerald Spaits, a long-time bandmate of Long's, who produced and co-arranged the CD. This feature aired on KCUR.

Too often older jazz musicians die without getting the recognition they deserve. Russ Long got to hear some of his tunes performed by some of the best musicians around, many of them dear old friends.

Time to Go: The Music of Russ Long is available on CD Baby.

Someone is unhappy with Dr. Chuck

This banner has been up for a couple of weeks but I just got around to snapping a shot with my wizbang new camera phone. (Hence the quality.)

Curiously, the sign is on fancy Ward Parkway, not in Redbridge, where Councilman Eddy has made so many friends with his plan to widen Redbridge Road.

I wonder whether the KC sign police are considering action. Is it a yard sign if it's hanging from the trees?

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My feature on Kansas City jazz musician Russ Long's last recording project ran this morning. More info and links coming to The New Low Down soon.