[Dixielandjazz] Bob Brookmeyer (was recollections of Ed Neumeister via Ken Dryden)

[Bill Haesler]

Dear Norman,
The recent sad loss of Bob Brookmeyer (15th December 2011) will not have caused much of a ripple on the DJML, musically.
When he first came to our notice back in the mid 1950s, we were intrigued about a new valve trombone player on the modern jazz scene.
Brad Gowans was our idol and, in Australia, multi-instrumentalist Ade Monsbourgh was the valve trombonist with the pioneer Graeme Bell Dixieland Jazz Band in the 1940s. The band that steered me onto my jazz path in 1946.
However, the newcomer's Clef and Prestige LPs did nothing to impress us mouldy figs.
Then the LP album, "Traditionalism Revisited', came out.
Bob Brookmeyer (v-tb/p) Jimmy Giuffre (cl/ts/bar) Jim Hall (g) Joe Benjamin (sb) Dave Bailey (d) 
Los Angeles. 13 July 1957
	Louisiana 
	Santa Claus Blues    
        Some Sweet Day        
   	Sweet Like This 
	Ja Da                
      	Don't Be That Way                
Ralph Pena (sb) replaces Joe Benjamin 
Los Angeles. 16 July 1957
   	Truckin'    
    	Honeysuckle Rose  
You can imagine our surprise, and confusion. 
The very fact that he had chosen to select esoteric stuff from 'our' 1920s jazz music lexicon was a plus. In a way
And, on listening to the arrangements of "Santa Claus Blues", "Sweet Like This" and "Some Sweet Day", we realised that certainly knew about Clarence Williams, King Oliver, Dave Nelson and Louis.        
He had really listened and picked up on the little hidden things within the originals.
The 10" LP went into my collection, to be brought out on rare occasions.
For old time's sake I replaced it with the CD (and extra tracks) back in the 90s.
When the sad news came through the other week, I dug it out.
It has weathered well.
But will not grab the diehards.
Listen for yourself:
   http://grooveshark.com/#/s/Sweet+Like+This/2wNlSq?src=5
Very kind regards,
Bill.