I Never Knew - Ruby Braff

  • 17 years ago
I Never Knew Braff Ruby 1989

Thomas P. Hustad, a professor at the Indiana University wrote me last night and told me that he enjoyed many of my postings . He also mentioned that he is in the process of writing a book about Ruby Braff's career, together with a discography and performance directory. The 500 page book will be published by Dan Morgenstein and Ed Burger in a series with Scarecrow press.
Although he uncovered considerable information about Ruby's life and performances,
he wondered if I would perhaps be able to supply him with additional information.
From what I have I don't think I can help Tom very much. However, Tom helped me with musicians' names in some of the videos and for that very much thanks.
Next to Whispering, which I had posted before, I had kind of forgotten about another four tunes from this concert in Bern in 1989 that I had hidden somewhere in my video jazz collection. So here they are! Thanks Tom.
These were recorded in the Kursaal in Bern, Switzerland on April 29, 1989.
Ruby Braff, cornet, Howard Alden, guitar, Gray Sargent, guitar, Eddy Jones, bass and Oliver Jackson, drums. At the end of the broadcast tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton and pianist George Wein were invited to join and they played a few chorusses of "I never knew" after which the end credits came up.
Ruby Braff was such an inspiring voice on cornet and every time it is such a thrill not just to hear him play, but also to see his facial expressions on video. I thought there should have been much more of Ruby on film, but just too bad there obviously isn't . Let's be very grateful for the German, the Swiss and the Danish TV broadcasters who had the foresight to film some of Ruby's performances.

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