 |
| The original El Morocco on Wall Street |
For the
many musicians who worked the room and the fans who witnessed their artistry in
action, it was a jazz Mecca
 |
| The new building, when it was relocated across the street from the original |
The
intent of this piece is to shed some light on what’s been documented out there, explore
the sound, and dig up the many layers of pavement on old memory lane.
The
earliest recording is one of the finest. Recorded live at the El in 1980, it’s
called Herb Pomeroy: Pramlatta’s Hips.
It was produced by longtime
Marc
Myers, a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal and author of Why Jazz Happened, has written widely on
the subject.
What’s in
a name? He asked trombonist Hal Crook, the composer of the piece,
“Pramlatta’s Hips.” "If I recall, back in the mid-1970s, I was reading a
book written by a yogi and there was a story in it about this beautiful Indian
woman named Pramlatta who seduced men and drove them mad with her hips. This
suggested to me the sound of the music I had just written for Herb's band. So I
called the song Pramlatta's Hips.”
When
asked about the woman on the album jacket, Crook said, "I think the
drawing on the cover may be of Betty [Loftin], a jazz singer from Georgia
and Herb's wife at the time. She's the Betty from Benny Golson's tune, 'Along
Came Betty.' When Pramlatta's Hips came out, everyone was very
surprised by the cover. It was totally unexpected. Some loved it, some hated
it. Sadly, Betty later died, and I remember everyone was shaken by her
passing."
Unfortunately,
as of this writing, the album is still not yet released on CD. For more go
here: http://www.jazzwax.com/2011/10/herb-pomeroy-pramlattas-hips.html
Another
historic recording is The Count Basie Orchestra Live at El Morocco
Recorded
in the “Green Room” at the El on two nights, February 20-21,
1992 , the
album came out in June of that year. In addition to many of the hits from the
Basie band book including, “Corner Pocket,” “Shiny Stocking,” and “One O’Clock
Jump,” the repertoire includes a tune originally titled, “Easy As It Goes,” now
renamed “A Night at the El Morocco,” in dedication to the Worcester venue. It
was written by Melton Mutasfa, the trumpeter on the date, and like Dizzy
Gillespie’s “Groovin’ High,” it was based on the standard, “Whispering.”
According
to the liner notes, written by Don Elfman, the piece is a “tribute to the
setting and to the graciousness of the Aboody family.” Special thanks also went
out to Mary Mardirosian of WICN-FM “for her support and encouragement.”
 |
| Jazz radio host, Mary Mardirosian |
* Note:
Saxophonist Boots Mussulli also wrote a tune for the room. It’s called “El Morocco Man.
Another
commercially available CD is Jim Porcella and the Jeff Holmes Big Band release,
You’ve Got That Look! with special
guest Dick Johnson Live at the El Morocco. Recorded in 1994 by Signature Sound,
the disc features a dozen tunes including two written by Porcella and the title
track by Holmes.  |
| Saxophonist Dick Johnson on soprano |
For sound
samples of the disc go here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/porcella1
Vocalist,
former radio programmer, and TV host, Toni Ballard captured a collection of
live performances that were recorded at variety of venues throughout the city.
They were presented on her outstanding program, "Studio 3." Three were taped at
the El Morocco. They include:
 |
| Amy Rome w/bassist Ray Appleman |
Jim
Porcella and the Jeff Holmes Big Band http://www.jazzhistorydatabase.com/content/media/studio_3/jazz_videos_1-20.html
To see a
Ballard report on the restaurant, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxuPnSP61iY
For many
years radio station WCUW 91.3 FM at 910 Main Street Worcester
Best known for offering cutting edge artists such as Archie Shepp, Max Roach, and Jaki Byard at venues such as the New England Repertory Theatre, the Worcester Artist Group, and the planetarium at the Ecotarium, for a couple of years they produced shows at the El as well, including:
Best known for offering cutting edge artists such as Archie Shepp, Max Roach, and Jaki Byard at venues such as the New England Repertory Theatre, the Worcester Artist Group, and the planetarium at the Ecotarium, for a couple of years they produced shows at the El as well, including:
Emily Remler – http://www.jazzhistorydatabase.com/content/events/wcuw_jazz_festivals/1985.html?zoom_highlight=Kenny+Werner
Kenny
Werner
Marty
Ehrlich
 |
| Saxophonist Bob Mover |
Bob Mover
–
A couple
of bootlegs have been passed around by collectors over the years. They include:
Charlie Rouse with special guest Emil Haddad on trumpet and the Mike Metheny
Quartet.
Videos
Some
notable videos also are circulating recently on facebook, including the Rebecca
Parris Quartet with special guest Emil Haddad.
 |
| Rebecca Parris |
As
mentioned, the El Morocco was a dream.
Here is a partial list (in no particular order) of other performers who made it so dreamlike.
Here is a partial list (in no particular order) of other performers who made it so dreamlike.
(In the
Nile Room)
- Freddie Hubbard
- Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis and Harry “Sweets” Edison
- Makoto Ozone
- Bobby Shew
- Chet Baker
- Joe Turner
- Roomful of Blues
- Ahmad Jamal ...
 |
| Scott Hamilton/Warren Vache in the Nile Room at the El |
- Ruby Braff
- Dick Johnson
- Philly Joe Jones
- Red Rodney
- Etta
Jones and
- Jerry Bergonzi – Con Brio
- Richard Carr Pro Bow Trio
- Shorty
- Scott Hamilton
- John Pizzarelli
- Richie Cole
- Mark Murphy
- Chris Neville
- Art Farmer
- Warren Vache
- Mike Turk
- Joanne Brackeen
 |
| Gray Sargent, Emil Haddad and Dave McKenna in the Green Room at the El |
In the
Green Room
- The Buddy Rich Band
- The Count Basie Orchestra, under the direction of Frank Foster
- Dave McKenna, Donna Byrne, Gray Sargent and Marshall Wood
*Note: This is a work in progress. Comments,
corrections, and suggestions are always welcome at: walnutharmonicas@gmail.com. Also see: www.worcestersongs.blogspot.com.
Thank you.
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