More music with Clarence “C” Sharpe
A while after I out up some music featuring legendary alto saxophonist Clarence “C” Sharpe in this posting, canadian born multiinstrumentalist Phil Dwyer contacted me, writing that he found a tape fom Jerry Thomas’ loft including Sharpe and Sonny Fortune on alto sax, Steve Grossman and Phil Dwyer himself on tenor. Hakim Jamil was playing bass, Jerry Thomas was playing the drums. Phil did not know the pianist and did not get to know him later, so he does not know his name.
Clarence “C” Sharpe. Photo by Otto Flückiger
Here is what Phil wrote to me about this session:
It took place in a loft in Brooklyn belonging to Jerry Thomas and his wife (Mary??). Anyway this was back in 1983 or so (could have been early 1984), during a time where I was living in New York and hanging out a lot with Steve Grossman. As I remember, late one afternoon I hopped in a cab with Grossman to go to Jerry Thomas’ loft for a session. I think it may have been in the Red Hook area, just based on my recollection of the route we took. Anyway I remember it being a nice big, welcoming space, Jerry’s wife made some food for us, it was comfortable. Tough neighbourhood.
Phil Dwyer around 1984/1985. Courtesy Phil Dwyer
I would have just turned 18 at the time this tape was made. I don’t remember recording it, but maybe Steve did and gave it to me. I had been spending way too much time with Grossman and at the time this tape was made I recall being under the influence of [different stuff] (…)
“C” was generally up for a party, at the time he was the same age I am now (46) but had a lot of street miles on him. He totally lit it up on these two tunes though. I hadn’t heard him play before this, but we ended up hanging out a bit in the year or so after this.
Phil was so generous to allow me to post 45 minutes of music from that evening on my blog. You hear the band playing two long tracks.
First we have the standard “Star Eyes”, with the following solo order:
Sharpe, Grossman, Fortune, Dwyer, unknown pianist, Hakim
The second tune is Miles Davis’ composition “Vierd Blues”. The order of soloists:
Sharpe, Dwyer, Fortune, Grossman (fade out)
I know that there are many people out there who cherish every newly found music featuring Clarence C Sharpe and this here is a very fine example indeed, also as regarding the other musicians and last but not least the sound quality which really is fine regarding the circumstances. So my heartfelt thanks go out to Phil Dwyer!
Enjoy!
July 29, 2013 at 10:09 am
Great Stebie!!!
April 3, 2014 at 11:31 am
I just can’t believe there is only 1 response to this post and these recordings of C Sharpe. Just, unreal.
May 11, 2014 at 5:08 am
What a treat to hear C Sharpe! My husband and I got to see him play back in 1986 and we’ve been talking about it ever since. Thank you!
June 3, 2014 at 7:25 pm
Greetings. Cool blog. I did a search for Miles Davis to no avail. I maybe wrong, but, i seem to remember reading that he played there. Have you ever heard of this? Cheers!
June 3, 2014 at 7:37 pm
Played where? At the Crown Propeller?
April 12, 2016 at 5:24 pm
The day that recording was done I had the great fortune of being present. Jerry’s loft was the place in Brooklyn 4th ave btween Dean and Bergan sts. There the music was at such a high level. Being a close friend of Hakim Jami and Jerry I was there almost and any given day there was always a great talent there. I remember it well. Glad to see this was posted.
April 17, 2016 at 12:17 pm
I have just uploaded even more C Sharpe!
April 17, 2016 at 12:11 pm
[…] Ever since I uploaded this concert featuring legendary alto saxophonist Clarence C. Sharpe, people have been sending me more tapes featuring Sharpe that were recorded at different jam sessions in N.Y.C. at various dates in the 1980s. One of these can be found here. […]
May 6, 2016 at 5:22 pm
Thanks once again! (See my comments re my friend C. Sharpe on the other links here).
September 24, 2020 at 11:44 pm
Thanks again—to all responsible!—Joel Fass
September 24, 2020 at 11:45 pm
One slight correction: the bassist was Hakim Jami—not Jamil. I remember him…
March 12, 2021 at 5:40 pm
Thank a lot for your generous life!