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Henry Grimes and Giuseppi Logan, Lost and Found Jazz Stars, Are Both Gone Henry Grimes and Giuseppi Logan, Lost and Found Jazz Stars, Are Both Gone
(about 1 month later)
The lives of Henry Grimes and Giuseppi Logan already felt like the stuff of legend long before they came to an end last week — just two days and one borough apart — from complications of the coronavirus.The lives of Henry Grimes and Giuseppi Logan already felt like the stuff of legend long before they came to an end last week — just two days and one borough apart — from complications of the coronavirus.
Mr. Grimes, a bassist, and Mr. Logan, an alto saxophonist, were once the two biggest disappearing acts on the jazz avant-garde. Each shot to prominence in mid-1960s New York and then vanished, quickly and darkly, for decades. And then, in the new millennium, they both mounted triumphant returns.Mr. Grimes, a bassist, and Mr. Logan, an alto saxophonist, were once the two biggest disappearing acts on the jazz avant-garde. Each shot to prominence in mid-1960s New York and then vanished, quickly and darkly, for decades. And then, in the new millennium, they both mounted triumphant returns.
Though they were never close friends or collaborators, their stories now feel cosmically linked. For a couple of artists whose music was about individual expressive freedom as well as interdependence, it is fitting that Mr. Grimes and Mr. Logan would now take their respective places in history side by side.Though they were never close friends or collaborators, their stories now feel cosmically linked. For a couple of artists whose music was about individual expressive freedom as well as interdependence, it is fitting that Mr. Grimes and Mr. Logan would now take their respective places in history side by side.
Both Mr. Logan and Mr. Grimes were born in 1935 in Philadelphia, a metropolis then flush with black musical innovation. Both passed through modern jazz groups (Mr. Logan with Earl Bostic; Mr. Grimes alongside a number of leading bandleaders, including Charles Mingus and Sonny Rollins) and the academy (Mr. Logan studied at the New England Conservatory; Mr. Grimes at Juilliard).Both Mr. Logan and Mr. Grimes were born in 1935 in Philadelphia, a metropolis then flush with black musical innovation. Both passed through modern jazz groups (Mr. Logan with Earl Bostic; Mr. Grimes alongside a number of leading bandleaders, including Charles Mingus and Sonny Rollins) and the academy (Mr. Logan studied at the New England Conservatory; Mr. Grimes at Juilliard).
In New York, they became two of the primary voices in free jazz’s heady first generation, using sound to convey huge amounts of energy and agony. Embodying a kind of total sensitivity to the moment, pushing improvisation to its limits, Mr. Grimes and Mr. Logan contributed to a revolution in music that continues to ricochet, more than 50 years later, far beyond jazz.In New York, they became two of the primary voices in free jazz’s heady first generation, using sound to convey huge amounts of energy and agony. Embodying a kind of total sensitivity to the moment, pushing improvisation to its limits, Mr. Grimes and Mr. Logan contributed to a revolution in music that continues to ricochet, more than 50 years later, far beyond jazz.
Mr. Grimes eventually became a linchpin of free-improvising groups led by Cecil Taylor and Albert Ayler, and in 1965 he released a well-regarded album of his own, “The Call,” on the influential independent label ESP-Disk. Mr. Logan tended to lead his own groups, playing a range of instruments — from the Pakistani shehnai to the bass clarinet — and challenging his bandmates to upend their own roles.Mr. Grimes eventually became a linchpin of free-improvising groups led by Cecil Taylor and Albert Ayler, and in 1965 he released a well-regarded album of his own, “The Call,” on the influential independent label ESP-Disk. Mr. Logan tended to lead his own groups, playing a range of instruments — from the Pakistani shehnai to the bass clarinet — and challenging his bandmates to upend their own roles.
Like Mr. Grimes, he released one studio album on ESP-Disk (“The Giuseppi Logan Quartet,” from 1964), following it a year later with a live recording, “More.” On both albums, harmony, rhythm and melody became agents of texture and suspense: Whether Mr. Logan is playing in apoplectic fits or in a long atonal smear, the radical open-endedness of each moment is palpable.Like Mr. Grimes, he released one studio album on ESP-Disk (“The Giuseppi Logan Quartet,” from 1964), following it a year later with a live recording, “More.” On both albums, harmony, rhythm and melody became agents of texture and suspense: Whether Mr. Logan is playing in apoplectic fits or in a long atonal smear, the radical open-endedness of each moment is palpable.
But by the late 1960s, Mr. Logan and Mr. Grimes — each seemingly at the height of his powers — had disappeared from the scene. For decades, each of them was a whisper in the back of jazz fans’ minds, a question it seemed wise to leave unanswered. Both struggled with mental illness, though maybe it’s more apt to say that each struggled to bring the world in tune with the music of his life.But by the late 1960s, Mr. Logan and Mr. Grimes — each seemingly at the height of his powers — had disappeared from the scene. For decades, each of them was a whisper in the back of jazz fans’ minds, a question it seemed wise to leave unanswered. Both struggled with mental illness, though maybe it’s more apt to say that each struggled to bring the world in tune with the music of his life.
Mr. Grimes had traveled to California to perform with the vocalists Jon Hendricks and Al Jarreau, but when his bass broke he sold it for a meager sum. Soon he was without either an instrument or money. For more than 30 years, he worked off and on as a janitor while battling bipolar disorder and scribbling dreamlike, often-beautiful poetry into notebooks. It was not until 2002 that a social worker and jazz devotee tracked him down in Los Angeles. The bassist William Parker had an instrument sent to him. Soon after, Mr. Grimes finally returned to New York, receiving a hero’s welcome at the 2003 Vision Festival.Mr. Grimes had traveled to California to perform with the vocalists Jon Hendricks and Al Jarreau, but when his bass broke he sold it for a meager sum. Soon he was without either an instrument or money. For more than 30 years, he worked off and on as a janitor while battling bipolar disorder and scribbling dreamlike, often-beautiful poetry into notebooks. It was not until 2002 that a social worker and jazz devotee tracked him down in Los Angeles. The bassist William Parker had an instrument sent to him. Soon after, Mr. Grimes finally returned to New York, receiving a hero’s welcome at the 2003 Vision Festival.
Mr. Grimes had always had a bold, resounding bass sound, but upon his return, what those who played with him often noticed was his note choice. Even amid rancorous free improvisation, he still seemed able to select notes that were in perfect counterpoint to what surrounded him, such that they not only fit in but unlocked extra dimensions in the group sound.Mr. Grimes had always had a bold, resounding bass sound, but upon his return, what those who played with him often noticed was his note choice. Even amid rancorous free improvisation, he still seemed able to select notes that were in perfect counterpoint to what surrounded him, such that they not only fit in but unlocked extra dimensions in the group sound.
The drummer Chad Taylor, who played hundreds of shows alongside Mr. Grimes in the Marc Ribot Trio, described the bassist’s note choices as “3-D.”The drummer Chad Taylor, who played hundreds of shows alongside Mr. Grimes in the Marc Ribot Trio, described the bassist’s note choices as “3-D.”
“He was always thinking of playing something against what you were playing,” Mr. Taylor said in a phone interview. “Against might not be the right word. Playing something different that would be complementary to what you’re playing.”“He was always thinking of playing something against what you were playing,” Mr. Taylor said in a phone interview. “Against might not be the right word. Playing something different that would be complementary to what you’re playing.”
Updated June 5, 2020
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Mr. Grimes was a man of painfully few words, making it easy to misinterpret his silence as a consequence of age. But even as a young person he had been famously laconic; and as the decades advanced, he remained first and foremost committed to listening. In New York over the past 10-plus years, you were just as likely to find Mr. Grimes in the front row at a younger musician’s concert — eyes bright, body held upright, listening — as to see him onstage.Mr. Grimes was a man of painfully few words, making it easy to misinterpret his silence as a consequence of age. But even as a young person he had been famously laconic; and as the decades advanced, he remained first and foremost committed to listening. In New York over the past 10-plus years, you were just as likely to find Mr. Grimes in the front row at a younger musician’s concert — eyes bright, body held upright, listening — as to see him onstage.
“He said very few words, but when he played, it was like kinetic radar waves,” Mr. Parker said. “He could listen; he could hear; he could push the music.”“He said very few words, but when he played, it was like kinetic radar waves,” Mr. Parker said. “He could listen; he could hear; he could push the music.”
“He was just very perceptive in his own way,” Mr. Parker added.“He was just very perceptive in his own way,” Mr. Parker added.
Mr. Logan was chattier by nature, and perhaps this became his saving grace. After bouncing for decades between Virginia and New York, cycling through homelessness and mental institutions — where he was often barred from playing music, only deepening his despair — Mr. Logan was at a music store in Manhattan one day, trying to buy a single reed for his saxophone, when he struck up a conversation with a young sales clerk.Mr. Logan was chattier by nature, and perhaps this became his saving grace. After bouncing for decades between Virginia and New York, cycling through homelessness and mental institutions — where he was often barred from playing music, only deepening his despair — Mr. Logan was at a music store in Manhattan one day, trying to buy a single reed for his saxophone, when he struck up a conversation with a young sales clerk.
That clerk was the trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist Matt Lavelle. When he discovered that this man was, indeed, the famous Giuseppi Logan, Mr. Lavelle became dedicated to bringing the saxophonist back into the music world. They recorded an album together, “The Giuseppi Logan Quintet” (2010), featuring a mix of Mr. Logan’s avant-garde compositions and the jazz standards he had by then been playing for years in public parks.That clerk was the trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist Matt Lavelle. When he discovered that this man was, indeed, the famous Giuseppi Logan, Mr. Lavelle became dedicated to bringing the saxophonist back into the music world. They recorded an album together, “The Giuseppi Logan Quintet” (2010), featuring a mix of Mr. Logan’s avant-garde compositions and the jazz standards he had by then been playing for years in public parks.
For Mr. Logan, even walking back into more standard repertoire was an expression of openness. As he had said years ago, describing his musical mission in a short documentary in the mid-1960s, “You have to get closer to your creator. Because that instills in the individual a love for everything, an unbiased heart.”For Mr. Logan, even walking back into more standard repertoire was an expression of openness. As he had said years ago, describing his musical mission in a short documentary in the mid-1960s, “You have to get closer to your creator. Because that instills in the individual a love for everything, an unbiased heart.”
More than any happenstance similarities, it’s that omnivorousness that formed the crucial common bond between Mr. Logan and Mr. Grimes. They followed a hunger for listening into careers as performers, and found themselves pulled back into the fold, celebrated anew, by a community that wasn’t finished listening to them yet.More than any happenstance similarities, it’s that omnivorousness that formed the crucial common bond between Mr. Logan and Mr. Grimes. They followed a hunger for listening into careers as performers, and found themselves pulled back into the fold, celebrated anew, by a community that wasn’t finished listening to them yet.