Al ... good players, yes ... BUT ... I guess because of my age (67) I just don't put guys like Richard Elliott and the rest, even Grover, as much as I really liked his playing, in the same category as Miles, Getz, Brubeck, Desmond, Mulligan, Oscar, Jimmy Smith, etc ....

t.

I agree completely, Tony. Although great players, I don't think that even THEY would put themselves in the same class with these legends. I had the pleasure of playing a few gigs with Grover in Atlantic City very early in his career and even then he was a great, great player. A shame for someone so talented to die so young.

chas

Chas..was it early 70's....outside Atlantic City..an after hours club...?

I also remember sitting in (on accordion)..Washington was the same age as I..Drums , bass , sax and...accordion.

If I can recall the tunes were Just Friends, Bernie's Tune and Robin's Nest..

Do you guys remember those...

Washington actually sat in with the HiFiv (our group} it was late 60's
Bob Gough on upright bass, Walt Russel on drums, Walt Sedden on guitar(the best I ever seen or heard}..Our Sax player was Rob Filer...and me on accordion..
Rob and I were 30 years younger than Walt, Walt and Bob

Fran, it was probably a couple of years earlier. Grover was quite young (as were we all). I can't think of the name of the club we played in but it was definitely not an 'after-hours' joint. There were about six main clubs in the Black area of the then well-segregated AC. Grace's Little Belmont (Bill Doggett 'owned' that one during the summer, the only season I worked as I was either teaching or had started grad school at U. of P.), Club Harlem across the street and hosting the better known acts (Nipsey Russell was the MC there), the Old Cotton Club, and the two whose names escape me at the moment (old age). If we were fairly well known, we were allowed to sneak through the back door and catch (from the kitchen area) Sinatra or whatever big name was playing the 500 club. May be uncomfortable to hear now, but that was MY memory of the 'fabulous 60's'.

I played there for (AC) 4-5 summers and with the exception of Pat Martino and one or two other jazz players, I honestly don't remember any White players sitting in at any of those clubs (especially on accordion). I'm not saying I don't believe you (in fact I do), but it must have been after my time there. The reigning guys on 'our side of the track' (I've even forgotten the name of the street (Pacific Ave.?) that divided the 'two America's) were Don Paterson, Johnny 'Hammond' Smith, Qui Qui (pronounced kiki) somebody-or-other, Wild Bill Davis, Jimmy McGriff, 'Chops' Turner, and a host of other great but anonymous organ players (EVERY group then was an organ-based group). Jimmy Smith always came through once during the course of the summer (to us he was GOD). It was a great time, musically; socially, not so much. I feel very fortunate to have been able to meet and, in some cases, play with, some of the great musicians from that era. I'm sure you feel the same.

chas

Chas I made the correction..Grover was the one sitting in...and yes I remember different "sides of the track"....Besides I was Italian ..not "white"..

If we're still talking about Standards/Songs that stand the test of time, I think - "I'll be Seeing you" (music/Sammy Fain,lyrics/Irving Kahal) is one of the most moving, beautiful songs I know.

I don't know of it's "overall popularity" compared with songs like Summertime, All the Things You Are, Teach me Tonight etc etc, but I sincerely believe it deserves to be right up there....(2 cents)