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About two weeks ago, I met with and was interviewed by a journalist, Ishkhan Jinbashian, who writes for The Armenian Reporter, a prominent Armenian newspaper that has international circulation, from Glendale, CA to Switzerland. He was blown away by the story of my father and the film project and published a story about my father and my struggle to make the documentary. As well as being printed and at many newsstands, there is also an online version that is available in downloadable .PDF files.

For those of you interested enough to read it, you have to go to their homepage -

http://www.armenianreporteronline.com/

Then, you hit the "ACCESS" button in the lower left hand corner to be taken to the mainpage. Hit the PDF link and open 'Section C - Arts & Culture'.

Here is the opening paragraph -

"Rediscovering the miracle of West Coast Jazz
The story of Harry Babasin
by Ishkhan Jinbashian

Inventor of cool
Years before “The Girl from Ipanema,” Harry Babasin helped create the Bossa Nova sound

The space in Von Babasin’s living room seems rather inadequate for his drive – let alone his towering figure. On a glum Los Angeles morning in July, he picks out an LP record from a neatly organized bookcase row of albums. It’s an extremely rare 10-inch record featuring the music of his late father, Harry Babasin. As Von talks about the album at approximately the pace of a tommy gun, his demeanor is that of a boy permanently let loose in a toy store. There is also veneration in his voice. It comes from a deep, joyous, almost spiritual appreciation for extraordinary music, which ultimately animates his determination to help publicly honor his father’s legacy on the one hand, and that of West Coast Jazz on the other."

It was very gracious of Ishkhan and the editors at the Armenian Reporter to take such an interest in my father's story - I can't thank them enough.

I've been given permission to post this article on my own website so now you can read or download it directly from this link -

http://www.onoffon.com/JazzArticle.pdf

Thanks again to the fine people at The Armenian Reporter for caring about this culturally important piece of music history...

You have great perseverence Von !!! I hope it pays off for you (not that it hasn't already) and that the documentary gets made!!

Thanks Herbie!!!

I have to admit, at times, it's a struggle, but ultimately, I can't imagine a more rewarding journey to be on.

As I've stated before, this is more than just a son honoring a father. It's about helping to define an entire artistic movement and honoring all those great west coast jazz musicians so deserving of recognition they have never received.

Just last week, I received a call from Herb Alpert. No - he didn't want to sign ONOFFON or fund the documentary, but we talked at length about my father's contributions to jazz history and the illness that led to his all too early passing at the age of 67. It was wonderful to speak with Mr. Alpert.

The journey continues...

I don't think I ever posted this photo here, but, if I did, it's still worth reposting -



It's a publicity still from the 1947 movie, "A Song Is Born". You can see my father just over the shoulder of the great vibraphonist, Lionel Hampton.

In the foreground, from left to right, is Charlie Barnet, Louis Armstrong, Danny Kaye, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, and Virginia Mayo. Just over my father's shoulder, between him and Benny Goodman, is the great Brazilian guitarist, Laurindo Almeida.

This movie was extremely significant to my father's career as it led to his identity as one of the most innovative bassists of his time.

I have just made a new contact that may finally put me over...

In my research, I've had multiple conversations with filmmaker, Ken Koenig, who produced a jazz documentary a few years ago on the Lighthouse. As we spoke, I discovered I will be using some clips of a TV series that he also used, although they are from different episodes. He told me he had to license through a film archivist named Mark Cantor, who lives near me in SoCal.

I contacted Mr. Cantor and, as it turns out, he knew of and worked with my father in the sixties. He had nothing but wonderful things to say about Harry. So, last week, we set up a meeting at his home. He is a very gracious man and well connected in the jazz and film world. Also, in speaking with another jazz historian, Bill Rudman, he suggested I try to get in touch with another film producer by the name of Jean Bach. Turns out that Mr. Cantor was the archival consultant for "A Great Day in Harlem", a documentary film based on Art Kane's August 1958 photograph of 57 jazz musicians on a Harlem street, produced and directed by Jean Bach and 1995 Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary.

As a result of our meeting, he has offered to be the archival consultant on my film. He knew of more film clips of my dad that I was previously unaware existed. How amazing this journey truly is...

There's more in the works but they will have to wait for future posts...

That's a great article,Von! I loved seeing the photos! What a great legacy your Dad left you and how cool that you too are a musician. Keep us informed about the documentary's progress. Take care.

Thanks JeanB!!!!

I was very honored by such a wonderful article. Makes me feel like my years of dedication to art may allow me to fulfill my destiny...

Looks like I'm getting a small article in the December issue of Jazziz Magazine.

Raising the funds is the hardest part - even with the sponsorship from the New York Foundation for the Arts, it's still a daunting task.... perhaps by building a more prominent profile and raising the public's consciousness about the project, I'll be able to garner someone's interest.

Only time will tell...

Thanks again...

crap...

Just found out that my story got bumped from the December Jazziz...

They're still deciding if it will go for January...

It's hard out here for a pimp...