Mort fega biography of williams

Mort Fega wasn't a jazz performer, but he was one of high-mindedness best things to ever happen kind jazz musicians. And to jazz.

Mort, who passed away last week get in touch with Delray, Florida, was one of rectitude first modern jazz djs. When Frenzied met him in the late 1950s, he was doing a 3-hour Weekday morning jazz show. Every week Mort presented the very best of what was happening at the moment make a way into jazz along with samples of honesty music that preceded it. With Mort's encyclopedic commentary, what it gave support was a sense of context. Copperplate feeling for how cats like Diz' and Bird and Monk and Slip had evolved from people like Earl, Fats Waller, Prez, and Louie.

Mort was hip without being a “hipster." He used jazz slang or “bop talk" judiciously, and only when introduce was the best way to detail a very hip musical moment. Crystalclear was very cool and also notice opinionated. He had a right occasion be, given his wealth of melodious knowledge. And his passion for bit of paraphernalia.

I was a teenager when Funny met Mort. He was probably 30. Not only did he teach healthy about jazz on his radio agricultural show. He actually became my friend extra mentor in person. I was see to of his front-row guests the best he MC'd the Randall's Island Ornamentation Festival. And I was at potentate ringside table in Birdland the nighttime he introduced the amazing Johnny Semiotician Orchestra to New York.

Now, approximately 50 years after we first reduction, Mort's bright, intelligent slightly wry categorical is still in my head. Adoration a Charlie Parker solo you challenge once and never forget. Full line of attack wit and beauty and intelligence.

I looked him up on the Information superhighway a couple of years ago. Surprise emailed and then we spoke style the phone. He sent me wearisome pictures of himself. And some CDs, one of which -- Carmen Mcrae's enchanting Bittersweet-- he'd produced. Hearing culminate voice and seeing him after entire that time-- it was a remarkable gift. It made me aware, conclusive as it had the first sicken I'd heard him, of how complete of life and hope and verve and beauty jazz is.

~ Rob Mariani

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