"Giant Steps" One Step Leads to Another

Mark Adams posted a YouTube item by pianist Don Friedman, a trio recording of John Coltrane's "Giant Steps". This led me to the YouTube of Tete Montoliu's recording of "Giant Steps", another fine recording, one of my favorite Montoliu recorded efforts. In turn, I was pushed to find Matthew Goodheart's article in Perspectives of New Music (Vol. 39, No. 2, pps. 63 - 95). In this very interesting article, Goodheart makes many insightful points, relating Coltrane's music and his "Giant Steps" composition to other music - Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, Miles Davis. I had first read Goodheart's article five or so years ago.
   Next, I thought about Jackie McLean's comments about "Giant Steps" in the fine documentary, Jackie McLean on Mars. Professor McLean was trying to explain to his students the difficulty that he experienced in learning "Giant Steps" - check this out on YouTube.
   As I recall, the first time that I heard a live performance of Coltrane's "Giant Steps" was at Bert's Black Horse Lounge, in Detroit (fabulous '60s). It was a remarkable performance by the Chicago saxophone legend, Eddie Harris (check out his "Giant Steps" on YouTube).
   Although I heard John Coltrane perform in person many times - in Detroit at the Minor Key, Drome Lounge, Cobo Hall and in New York at the Village Gate - I don't recall his having played "Giant Steps". When I got to Trane in person, the music or muse had taken him in other directions. The first time I heard Trane in person was at Ford Auditorium in Detroit when he was with Miles Davis - the legendary Miles Davis Sextet.
   Lastly, I recall being very fond of Rahsaan Roland Kirk's "Giant Steps" (check out his YouTube "Giant Steps"). I met this wonderful musician at the Half Note in NYC - Christmas Holidays 1959. Fabulous!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHQEujakWbw

Good-bye Pierre Boulez and Bye-Bye Facebook*

Today I discontinued my Facebook account. In the beginning, I started Facebook to keep up with my granddaughters. In the mean the time, they have, for the most part, moved on to other social media outlets -- I will not follow them in this move.
*Not quite, not so fast - post something? Facebook won't let go!
   Instead of spending my time answering liberal-hating, keyboard racists and suchlike, I thought that resuming blogging, reading, listening to music would be better for me.
   Pierre Boulez died yesterday at the age of 90. Maestro was one of my heroes. I have started listening to the 13 CD DG set of the Maestro's music.
   I certainly treasure having had the opportunity of meeting Pierre Boulez -- a great soul and a great composer-musician. Take a look at the link below.
   http://boulezian.blogspot.com/