Tag Archives: Powell

Nature’s Table Archive Vol 9: Boneyard Jazz Quintet – February 9, 1990

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Volume 9 of the Archive keeps us in the later days of the Table. This is another from trombonist Morgan Powell’s collection of recordings; Morgan gave us quite a few recordings from his collection to help get the NTAP off the ground, and we’re glad he did!

This iteration of Morgan’s “Boneyard Jazz Quintet” is heavy on the ‘bone. Indeed, no other horns are present at this gig. While Morgan plays his slide trombone, the group also features Mike Gabriel on valve trombone.  Gabriel once turned down an offer to play in Woody Herman’s  band in the early ’60s, choosing a career in academia instead. Mike is now in St. Augustine, Florida, and still playing; you can find recordings of his current group here. This is also the first recording in the NTAP to feature the electric bass of Glenn Scheutz, a longtime Champaign-Urbana musician. Glenn’s gigging down in Austin, TX these days.

This is a nice, clean recording with a good balance of instruments. Hope you enjoy it!
The Band:
Morgan Powell: Slide Trombone
Mike Gabriel: Valve Trombone
Woody Woodward: Piano
Glenn Scheutz: Electric Bass
Bill French: Drums

Boneyard Jazz Quintet – February 9, 1990 (NTA Vol 9)

Nature’s Table Archive Vol. 5: Quintet – May 1980

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Volume 5 of the Nature’s Table Archive Project is another recording from the Morgan Powell collection. In fact, it’s the oldest recording made at the Table we’ve found so far. Nature’s Table opened in September 1979, but didn’t start hosting live music until early 1980, so this tape was made just a few months after Terry opened the stage to musicians. Quite a find! We also get a nice little artifact on the tape: the sound of a cash register! Most of us don’t ever remember a cash register being there.

Quintet features the Ray Sasaki/Morgan Powell combo again, accompanied by electronic music master Sal Martirano on acoustic piano. The bass player and drummer are a bit of a mystery, but both Powell and Sasaki feel comfortable with their guesses: Pat Castle (bass) and John Meyes (drums).

This is a solid set and a pretty good recording! We don’t know the title of track 7, however. If you know it, please contact us and let us know.

Quintet – May 1980 (NTA Vol 5)

Nature’s Table Archive Vol 4: Team Concept – July 19, 1990

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Volume 4 of the Nature’s table Archive takes us to a hot summer night in July 1990. Trombonist Morgan Powell and the quintet leaned heavily on the classic jazz repertoire, with plenty of music from Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins and Miles Davis.

Team Concept – July 19, 1990 (NTA Vol 4)

The Band:
Ray Sasaki – trumpet
Morgan Powell – trombone
Donnie Heitler – piano
Dan Anderson – bass
Bill French – drums

Thanks to Morgan Powell for the source tape.