I attended the 2005 Charlie Parker Jazz Fest yesterday and I ran into James Zollar and his new bride. It was quite a day in Tompkins Square Park. It rained, then it cleared up for the rest of the day.
The first group, I wont give their names, played some conFUSION music. I was backstage with Jimmy Heath and Frank Wess. The rolled their eyes toward where Bird is currently residing. John Hicks was the second band to play. "Fathead" Newman was the featured sax player with the band. Bird smiled.
I had been on a "Fathead" Newman record years ago, but he was not in the studio.......the magic of recording
I left after the Odean Pope Saxophone Choir played. They are a philly based group. I went to JHS with some of them. Sam Reed, one of the sax players, attended Mastbaum with Lee Morgan. They are tight!
I had to leave after they played, so I missed Geri Allen.
It was a pretty good celebration of Bird's birthday.
Wilmer