++$1000
AND MORE++ULTRA RARE++SOUGHT AFTER! The reason why labels work so hard to track
down musicians to re-issue their privately released music is normally because
the original records are very hard to find and very expensive. Demand within
the 'collectors scene' is crucial. So what do we have here?
None of
the adjectives mentioned above apply for the albums of Don McCaslin's Warmth.
Born in Tacoma Washington in 1926, Don moved to the San Jose area during the
first year of life. He took a few piano lessons as a child, but it was boogie
woogie music that really inspired him. While attending San Jose State he formed
a band which had piano, guitar, vibes, bass and drums. Following his graduation
from college, Don played music on the weekends and worked as a high school
English teacher for fifteen years. Then in 1970 he quit his teaching job and
moved to Santa Cruz, making music his main pursuit. In 1971 he was invited to
bring a jazz combo to play at a political rally. The event took place in the
patio of the 19th century courthouse building, now called the Cooper House. The
owner told Don that he was putting a sidewalk cafe there and invited him to
play on opening day. Don ended up playing there until the 1989 earthquake
ruined the beautiful old building.
Don and
his fellow musicians were forced to move to the Warf House, a restaurant
situated at the tip of the Capitola pier, and played there for 20 years. Today
you can find Don's band The Amazing Jazz Geezers play at Severino's Lounge in
Aptos, California. The Geezers are not necessarily "amazing" because
of their musicianship. To become an "Amazing Jazz Geezer" one must
merely be over 75 years of age, know over 1000 tunes written between 1935 and
1950, and still be able to play a full gig.
Regardless
of rarity and demand, for Don McCaslin the time has come for representation and
appreciation. Neither of Warmth original albums are considered to be sought
after nor they sell for big money. Until now.
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