“Professor John Graves is a true gentleman, by definition: Someone who knows how to play accordion… but chooses not to in the presence of others.”
Jazz with John Graves: My surrogate father.
I met John in 1998 in Pagosa Springs. I’d read that there was a new jazz pianist playing solo at the Pagosa Lodge, so I decided to check him out. I was definitely impressed with his playing and his massive repertoire. I introduced myself to the man, and the rest is history.
When we met, John was 70 years old – and I was 47 going on 18. (According to my wife.)
I finally started playing with John’s Quartet, Rio Jazz, in 1999, after another insane stint with the Ravin’ Brothers. We played Sundays at JJ’s Upstream on the San Juan River – hence Rio Jazz. (Of course, I was still playing with Dog @ Large, etc.) John played keyboard-vibes and keyboard-bass, Bob Hemenger played saxes, and musical phenom, Lee Bartley, played keyboard-piano, and I played my little jazz kit. We soon developed a large jazz following – almost unheard of for such a small mountain town.
Most of our fans were retirees from big bustling cities in search of a good jazz fix.
“Four” by Miles Davis – performed by Rio Jazz
In his younger days, John was a one-time piano man with Red Fox & His Musical Hounds. He was known as “Deadpan Digger Graves.” (His trademark was his conspicuous frown, and even when we played together much later, he portrayed the loveable curmudgeon.)
According to John: “Part of the format with Red Fox consisted of funny hats, false noses, a bedpan, and a musical tree in which each branch sounded a tuned ‘honk’ when pushed down. And as a grand finale, a brassiere on a spring flew out of the birdhouse on top.” A real class act! (Don’t laugh. As you know, I once played with Joe Banana & The Bunch: “Music with Appeal.”)
John Graves was something more than a mere local celebrity. He was a treasure and an institution, sort of like the institution of marriage without all the yelling and screaming.
Professor Graves (Professor Emeritus at the University of Central Missouri): “One of my favorite jazz singers was the former Gene Krupa vocalist, Anita O’Day. When we went to nearby Hanford [California] to see Stan Kenton, whom should I see backstage but Anita O’Day herself! I told her how much I admired her singing . . . and then she asked me to dance with her! So, at fourteen years of age, there I was dancing with my favorite vocalist!” (Lucky dog.)
Hence the inception of “John Graves: Chick Magnet!”
Read my essay, “The incredible legacy of John Graves”.
By 2001, the boys in the band came to the conclusion that it might be a good time to record a really outstanding CD. I think the idea was that John wasn’t getting any younger.
We decided to record a live concert at the Timbers in Pagosa Springs, and we’d hire Doug Eagle (from Eagle Sound Studios in Durango) to record it. Our friend and biggest fan, Mr. John Porter, came up with a terrific plan: we would sell advance tickets to the concert, and allow fans to purchase the finished album in advance. Pure genius!
As it turned out, we had paid for the recording, the mastering, artwork, and the production of CDs weeks ahead of the scheduled concert! Plus, we got our local radio station, 106.3 FM “The Wolf” to sponsor us, promoting and selling tickets and the future CD over the airwaves.
Rio Jazz was a member of the Pagosa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce – how many bands are members of their local Chambers? My friends, we had everything covered. The whole project came together like clockwork (and I’m NOT talking A Clockwork Orange!)
The album cover:
Excerpts from the interior liner notes:
When Rio Jazz played this concert on May 6, 2001, we all agreed that it was definitely a magical evening. We had no idea that we could muster such a large crowd of jazz enthusiasts… especially in little Pagosa springs! The energy at the Timbers that evening was awesome! Our hats are off to our amazing audience. They are as much a part of this recording as is the actual music.
We have selected these thirteen songs from the concert with much deliberation. We feel that this collection captures the essence and scope of Rio Jazz. We hope that listening to this CD gives you as much pleasure is it gave us making it!
Recorded live at the timbers, Ron and Jenelle Arrington, owners and our gracias hosts.
Produced by Rio Jazz; Engineered by Doug Eagle; Mixed at Eagle Sound, Durango, CO; promoted by Ratwoos Productions (Steve Rogan, John and Beth Porter) Emceed by Chris Olivares, KWUF; Graphic design by Bill Hudson; Cover Photo by DC Duncan; Other photos by Jeff Laydon, Pagosa Photography; Research and licensing acquisition by Jaye Duncan.
“Take Five” by Dave Brubeck – performed by Rio Jazz
In October of 2003, the Professor was to be honored (ridiculed?) with a Roast. Tickets were selling out as the public looked forward to witnessing John Graves being mercilessly roasted like a Butterball turkey.
Unfortunately, I had a little gig out in Arizona and sadly would not be able to attend. I was playing drums for Bo Diddley at the Cascabel Blues Festival. The event was sponsored by the Tucson Blues Society and Bo was the headliner. My friend Jammin’ Jeff Cerwinskie had contacted me and fretless bass player, Jeff Hibshman. Jammin’ Jeff was an old friend of Bo’s, so we were a shoo-in.
I wrote a little statement for John to be read at his Roast: “I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it on this special occasion, John, but I’m playing with Bo Diddley in concert at a festival near Tucson. I told Mr. Diddley that I played with the great John Graves, and he was amazed! Bo told me that as a child, his grandfather once took him to a John Graves club date and thought he was very good… for a white guy. He reckoned that you would be about one-hundred years old by now. He sends his love.”
When I was initially told about the concert, I had my doubts. I thought that it could be one of the coolest things I’d ever done – or it could be a complete cluster fuck. We were to play “cold” without a rehearsal or even a set list! The night before, we played a club with Jammin’ Jeff in the town of Patagonia, near Nogales, Arizona and went over a few Diddley tunes (and probably partied a little too hardy).
Front: Bo Diddley, Rear L to R: Jeff Hibshman & DC
The next day at the festival was a hot one and I couldn’t seem to drink enough water. I was introduced to the additional two band members who would be joining us on stage. The other bands in the line-up were really good. I complimented several of the drummers but didn’t let on that I was playing with the headliner, just in case we sucked. It was getting close to start time and still no sign of Bo. And then a white stretch limo made its way through the crowd to the front of the stage. It was the great one: “The Originator,” who I’d been listening to all my life and playing his famous ‘Bo Diddley Beat’ with scores of band mates.
The stage was already set when they helped the star to his spot. Bo looked a lot older than I’d expected and he’d be playing sitting down. (Of course, I always played sitting down.) I thought I better go and introduce myself (before he keeled over) and at least ask what the first song might happen to be. He frowned at me and said: “Hey, Bo Diddley, of course!” Like I was some kinda idiot.
Bo started the song and I kicked us in. And from that point on, the whole show was pretty damn good! It was a dancing crowd that cheered us on; and I was surprised at the number of young groupies parked front and center, blowing the old man kisses. Who’d a thunk? Some of the other drummers watched me from the wings and gave me the thumbs-up. I couldn’t help smiling out of shear relief…
For me, the highlight of the show was when I was banging out a drum solo and Bo put down his guitar and joined me. He grabbed some sticks and played my 16” floor drum while I played the 14” floor. We were ‘trading’ and feelin’ good. The old guy was finally smiling. Now I could return triumphantly back to Colorado – and with 500 bucks in my pocket!
In 2004, John formed his new band, John Graves & Friends. The friends were the sidemen – Larry Elginer on trumpet and vocals and Dan Fitzpatrick on upright bass – and all the sit-in singers that showed up every Tuesday (or Wednesday) for years to come.
Trumpeter and vocalist Larry Elginer
Bassist Dan Fitzpatrick
I soon took over from their novice drummer. The band played at La Tazza restaurant… later sold to my friend Daniella from Santa Fe. (She was the manager at the Ore House that was perturbed that I had ridden my Harley into her bar!) HShe cahnged the restaurant’s name to: Nello’s.
Lee Bartley and Bob Hemenger from Rio Jazz had moved on. Lee moved to Mancos, Colorado and Bob began playing with Victor Wooten, et al. But Rio Jazz would often get together for special events and the occasional concert. All the while I was playing with ‘working’ bands trying to make a living.
Professor A. John Graves: 1928 –2014
Music had brought John and me together, but our relationship had become much more spiritually connected than simply playing music together. We continually contemplated philosophy, psychology, sociology, religion and politics. Not only was John my trusted mentor, he had become my surrogate father. He was the kindest, most intellectual person I’d ever met – and one of the funniest. And yes, he was a true gentleman.
Fast forward to 2012 when John’s favorite student, Phil Swearngin and his family, moved to Pagosa. He had worked at FOX Sports in LA and ended up at Parelli International here. He and I were like brothers from different mothers and in 2013 we decided to stage and film a tribute to John Graves called: A Sentimental Journey. John was now 85 years old and the time was right. The show was a stunning success and the video is priceless.
John had inspired me to join his Pagosa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Of course he played piano every Sunday. He enjoyed the fellowship very much, even though he claimed to be an atheist. I told him I was agnostic.
He grinned and said: “An agnostic is an atheist without any balls!” (Alrighty then…)