5 on Friday - Set 180

Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.

This week I'm handing the set list over to my uncle, Charles Doucet (father of my historical-romance-novelist cousin, Julianne MacLean.)

My uncle has been a musician, among many other things, for most of his life. He's heading off today for a three-day art show with his painterly photography collection at Victoria Park, across from the Public Gardens on Spring Garden Road, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. If you aren't in the area, you can check out his web site where all pieces are available (just contact him through the web site.)

Brad and I are heading over this afternoon to visit my aunt and uncle at the show -- that's them pictured above at their 50th wedding anniversary celebration last summer.

And now...over to you, Uncle Charlie.

~~~

Charlie Doucet’s 5 Tunes from Musicians of Influence

1 - St. Thomas - Barney Kessel

Barney Kessel:  My first and greatest influence as a beginning teenaged, potential jazz guitar player! Bought his album, “The Poll Winners, with Ray Brown on Bass, ( another major influence!,) Shelly Manne on drums. Wore the album out attempting to duplicate what I heard thru my 331/3 LP player in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

2 - All the Things You Are - Hank Garland

Hank Garland: A very tasty guitar player… I learned his tune, “Relaxin”, back in the 1960’s and it’s in my repertoire to this day.

3 - Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me - Ed Bickert

Ed Bickert: A Canadian, working out of Toronto, is recognized as one of the best jazz guitarist in the world. He plays guitar on the Moe Koffman hit, “Swinging Shepard Blues.” Also backed up Paul Desmond, the alto sax player formerly with Dave Brubeck of “Take 5” fame.

4 - Django in Paris - Joe Pass

 Joe Pass: A superb and truly amazing  jazz guitarist! His playing is immaculate, every note true and crystal clear, even at fast and furious tempos. I have a number of his teaching DVDs…too bad he has passed away… a real loss to up and coming guitarists looking for a creative path to follow!

5 - Lady Be Good - Ray Brown

Ray Brown: A Bass Player of impeccable talent. The foundation of time for any musicians he played with… such as Barney Kessel, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitsgerald and countless others. At 76 years old, he had just finished a golf game, went to bed in his hotel room for a nap before an evening performance… and didn’t wake up… another great loss!