[Dixielandjazz] Rudy Van Gelder interview on JazzWax.com

[Norman Vickers]

To:  . DJML,Musicians and Jazzfans list and a few friends

From: Norman Vickers Jazz Society of Pensacola

 

Marc Myers has previously mentioned recording guru Rudy Van Gelder on his
blog JAZZWAX.COM.  The Feb. 25 blog has a 22 minute video

produced by Michael Cuscana, president and founder of Mosaic Records.  This
is fascinating to watch as Cuscana has Van Gelder elaborate on how he got
started recording.  As most on the list know, Van Gelder set up the
recording studio in his parents' home in Hackensack, NJ.  Subsequently, he
built his own studio nearby.  During that time he began his practice of
optometry but as he got busier with the recording business-his real love-he
dropped the optometry part.  It was fascinating to hear him say that he
would assign recording companies certain days for them to record.  Also
reported that when Alfred Lion, co-owner of Blue Note Records, would have
him record live at nightclubs  in NYC , it would take him three days-set up
day before,  sound check and record, and 3rd day,  take down and re-assemble
equipment in his studio in NJ.

 

This is a real contribution to understanding how Van Gelder did his work and
how he was sought after by recording companies because he could get
authentic sounds of the music which, at the time, other recording studios
were unable to match.  Hence, it was worthwhile to make the trek from NYC to
Hackensack.

 

Also of interest, in the interview he mentions that  it was our late friend
Gus Statiras who had him do his first professional recording.

Gus was son of Greek immigrant restaurateur in NYC, worked for Milt Gabler
at Commodore Record Shop/Commodore Records, and subsequently did independent
recording.  In later years, helped Jazz Society of Pensacola, among others,
in organizing jazz parties.

JSOP parties in '89-91.  Also helped George Buck with his Jazzology and
other multiple labels.

 

Search  www.jazzwax.com  

 

One my subscribe to Marc Myers'  jazzwax blog.  Thanks Michael Cuscana and
Marc Myers!

 

 
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