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Jay Anderson's avatar

Excellent as expected sir. Three things. My father who himself was a pianist of great talent after ww2 chose the teaching route and enrolled at Stanford University.He had an opportunity to meet AL a few times. He told me that AL was very glad to know him and was very supportive and impressed by my dad's efforts. A complex man in some ways as many are but still in my opinion underrated is AL. Thank you sir for your work. It has inspired me and enlightened me as well. Once again thanks.

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Todd Coolman's avatar

Thanks, Jay. Underrated, indeed!

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Linda Moody's avatar

Cool Man, this was a great story. I love learning about your history. Then there is that video with Moody, Diz, Sarah, etc. Al Haig was a complicated guy.

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Todd Coolman's avatar

As you know, Linda, your beloved Moody was special to me as a musician and an exemplary human being. He was always teaching without preaching. I learned and grew by his example alone. I am blessed to have so many caring people looking after me in my career and life. To modify Jimmy Heath's tune title, "Without THEM, no me!"

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Bill Poole's avatar

Todd - thanks for such a beautiful, poignant, interesting, & captivating story. I’m listening to that tune “all too soon” as I write... & pulling up Al Haig on YouTube to find video & learn more about his history.

Unfortunately, I never got to that restaurant & also sadly missed out on the famous Bradley’s; if you have any stories about playing there or similar small cafés/bars, would be fun to read.

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Todd Coolman's avatar

Thanks, Bill, for reading and offering your comments. I have duly noted your suggestion, which has already given me some ideas for future posts. Stay tuned!

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Bret Primack's avatar

The wisdom you gained from the masters didn’t just shape your music — it molded you as a person. Those invaluable lessons, passed down from seasoned hands and time-tested voices, are a gift that not every musician has the fortune to receive. The guidance, insight, and mentorship you experienced set you on a path of growth, both creatively and personally. It’s a rare privilege, yet one you’ve earned through dedication, passion, and persistence. You are blessed — not by chance alone, but because you put in the effort to learn, absorb, and apply those lessons with humility and respect.

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Todd Coolman's avatar

Thank you, Bret. You are most kind. I admit I have always loved learning.

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Dena DeRose's avatar

Beautiful, Todd! Thank you 🙏🏼🌹🎵♥️

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Todd Coolman's avatar

Glad you enjoy it, Dena. Miss you…

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Dena DeRose's avatar

Miss you, too, Todd…sorry just saw this :) getting to know this app😂hope you’re fine! 🎵🌹♥️

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Scott Reeves's avatar

this is a great story. Unfortunately I never got to hear Al Haig play live, although I was peripherally aware of his work. I sympathized with the "teachable moment" you received. Whenever I have received similar rebukes it has always been because of my time or ability to play tempos, not harmonic knowledge or skill on the instrument. It really taught me a lesson that I've worked at for years

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Todd Coolman's avatar

When asked, "How do you improvise?" Dizzy Gillespie, one of the all-time great teachers, said, "I think of a rhythm and put a note on it.

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zan stewart's avatar

Todd, great piece today. Andrew Hill got to play a gig with Bird way back in the day in Chicago and he told me in an interview that Bird said, "I'll give you a tip. The rhythm is the melody." No wonder he and Diz were so in tune. And I loved your line about playing simple, rhythmic motives. I was trying to help a student play Blue Bossa the other day and that's exactly what I told him: keep it simple, keep it rhythmic. He did it and sounded way better. Cheers to you on this great blog.

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Todd Coolman's avatar

Thanks for your kind words, Zan. I am reminded of the title to one of Red Mitchell's tunes; "Simple Isn't Easy."

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Andy Geiger's avatar

Space and time! Elusive but necessary. Love this piece, as it teaches and entertains!

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Todd Coolman's avatar

Thanks for your comments, Andy, and for upgrading your subscription. I emailed you some cool perks. I hope to continue teaching and entertaining!

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Emanon's avatar

Wonderful story indeed!

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Lawrence Silverman's avatar

Wonderful read as always Todd. Thanks for making me think about my own approach to soloing

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Todd Coolman's avatar

Thanks, Larry. Sometimes, less is more!

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Lawrence Silverman's avatar

As I have learned over the years!

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Chuck Mitchell's avatar

An exquisite memoir. Thanks.

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Todd Coolman's avatar

Thank you for subscribing.

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Bill King's avatar

Lovely

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Allen Lowe's avatar

I just did a little research, and two movies filmed at One Fifth were Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors, and Jill Clayburgh's An Unmarried Woman.

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Allen Lowe's avatar

Al and I were close friends - as a matter of fact you and I met at the time - and he was complicated. But you hit it right about being shy of certain kinds of venues. He told me he hated when people came up to him and said "remember that night on 52nd Street?" Some of it was weariness, and some of it was his nervousness about people bringing up his legal problems (Flo Kennedy, a Civil Rights pioneer, was his lawyer). But left alone, he frequently told me interesting things about Bird and he had a lot of insight into Parker, who he thought at heart really wanted to just be a family man, but in the end could not stay away from his habits.

One Fifth was interesting, and he told me he thought the money was less than he wanted but the piano was so good he took the gig (I am pretty sure there was a well-known movie that shot scenes there, but I cannot remember the name of it). I also remember seeing him play there with Bob Cunningham, a bassist who seems to have vanished. And one night Dustin Hoffman was there and Al told me a lot of celebrities showed up.

As for Bradley's, the room is still there and it is pretty much the same, physically; a friend took me there for a drink a month or two ago, but I cannot remember what it is now called. Al went there regularly to hear Barry Harris when Barry was the Sunday pianist; Al told me Bradley wouldn't hire him because Al had dated Bradley's wife (before they were married).

I should also mention that apparently he was born in 1922 not 1924, and so was 60 at the time of his death, which was sudden and shocking, though Joanne told me he had been sick all day and refused to go to the hospital. Jamil Nasser called me with Joanne that day and it was one of the saddest days of my life.

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Todd Coolman's avatar

Thanks for the info.

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