 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: James
Date: 2007-07-04 00:00
Wow, this is truly terrible. I'm actually pretty good friends with his nephew Zack, and he was just visiting Boots in early June. From what I heard he was in perfect health, so I'm really shocked to hear this.
Post Edited (2007-07-04 00:04)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-07-04 00:09
Sadly, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage last week and had been hospitalized in a coma. He was taken off a respirator early today...GBK
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Author: Mags1957
Date: 2007-07-04 00:10
I learned Yakety sax note for note from the recording when I was in high school. I saw Boots live in Nashville in the 80's and I was blown away by his straight ahead jazz playing. He was a real monster.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-07-04 00:16
Mags1957 wrote:
> I learned Yakety sax note for note from the recording when I
> was in high school.
Same here. When you are 13 years old and can play a pretty smokin' rendition of Yakety Sax on the tenor, you become an instant legend in your school. ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) ...GBK
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2007-07-04 00:28
The first sax album I purchased was one of Boot's ballad albums when I was in junior high. Funny thing, I've told more than a couple of folks including both of my instructors that I have been channeling Boots using his 'When the Spirit Moves You' CD with sheet music. Well, at least he led a full and adventurous life!
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-07-04 01:39
I have great memories of an evening [cocktail party] in Jacksonville FL. He was featured with a small group and I was flat amazed at his skill on tenor, he played much more "sweet" , breathy jazz than the Yak. I bet he tired of me just standing a couple feet away and absorbing fine sound for at least an hour. Ever since I have tried to get sounds like those out of my alto/bari playing, with mediocre success. Ah, in memoriam tenere. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Bill G
Date: 2007-07-04 03:06
Boots was a better jazz player than most people knew. The year of the big riot at the Newport Jazz Festival, he and a group of Nashville musicians had gone there to listen. When the event was aborted, RCA decided to record a jazz album by the Nashville group. Boots played alto sax throught the session, which also included guitar whiz Hank Garland, Chet Atkins, Floyd Cramer, Brenton Banks (on violin and piano), Buddy Harmon, and one or two more. These guys played jazz regularly after hours in the clubs on Printers Alley. I had fun at times over the years playing this album for travelling jazz groups who visted my house. No one could guess the players. Boots always enjoyed playing in jazz settings, and could hold his own. He will be missed. Too bad there aren't more musicians who are willing to please the paying customers.
P.S. Gary Burtpn. vibes, was in the group at Newport, He was about 17, and this was one of his first recordings, as I recall.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2007-07-04 11:14
Hi All,
As many have pointed out, Boots was a much better jazz player that one would realize. There is an album by Boots and Richie Cole called Yakety Madness that is really great.
I envy Don's perch in front of the band with Boots playing. I know that position well from hearing all the big bands come through Cedar Point and Crystal Beach in the 1950s. Boots will be missed.
HRL
PS Bill G., great story.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-07-04 12:40
TKS, Hank, Yup it was GREAT. I believe I have an LP of his in my "boxes", and will look and report its "designations" when/if found. Tributes, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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