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Well... this is rather cool... in regards to the documentary film I'm producing about my father and the west coast jazz museum I'm building.

I have just confirmed an appearance on a television show - it's a cable access show in the Los Angeles area hosted by a jazz historian/professor named Chet Hanley called, "Jazz in the Modern Age". He produces the show on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills, and it's a live show, broadcasting every Tuesday night from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm.

I will be the guest on February 27th and it airs on Time-Warner Cable, channel 36, the Los Angeles Channel, LACH. At least, in the East San Fernando Valley. Check your local cable providers for their listings.

When I spoke to Mr. Hanley, he was quite gracious and very complimentary about my father's career and legacy, stating that making a documentary about his life was "about time" and that "he only played with everybody".

I'm scheduled to have a pre-production meeting with Mr. Hanley next week...

More later...

Way to go Von...

What is your father's name?

Thanks Louis!!!!

Hi Gary - my father's name was Harry Babasin - here's a pic of him playing with Charlie Parker and Chet Baker in 1952 -



I've been accepted for a fiscal sponsorship by the New York Foundation for the Arts to produce a documentary film about his life and career and that's what I will be discussing, among other things, on the show with Mr. Hanley.

Cheers!

WOW! I will be sure to watch it!
Congratulations! Your dad's legacy continues...

Bravo

Emily

Thanks Emily!!!!

I had a wonderful meeting with Chet Hanley yesterday morning, the producer of "Jazz in the Modern Age", the show I will guest on next week. The stuff I had literally BLEW HIM AWAY!!!!! It's so cool when that happens...

You don't know how cool it is when I talk to someone who KNOWS!!!!! Not to a million people who politely shake their head and raise an eyebrow - it's nice that they show respect - but when I talk to someone who really KNOWS, we're in a whole different world. He knows EVERYONE who played and recorded with my father. He names dates and studios I barely remember. And he talks about how important my father's contributions to jazz really are... it's truly humbling. I know my dad is looking down at me and smiling - I know he's gently guiding me in the directions I need to be going.

I gave Mr. Hanley a handful of pics and recordings and a breakdown sheet of what I gave him in chronological order - he said he appreciated the time and care I put into my preparation and that he will probably just follow my timeline with a little embellishment of his own.

He also mentioned he went through the ONOFFON website and was blown away by what we've accomplished as well. He even suggested I bring my bass but I insisted that this time the focus is on Harry and the west coast jazz community that started it all.

He told me he'd like me to consider doing additional shows in the future which I would be more than happy to do.

So, onward to Tuesday night - btw, I will get a VHS copy that night, a DVD copy delivered about a week later, and full permission by Mr. Hanley to do with anyway I see fit.

Plus, I got a great breakfast courtesy of California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Can't ask for much more than that...

How exciting! Break a leg. Keep us posted on the film's progress and also the show.

I am really glad when great unknowns get their due. Congrats for you and your father. You need to follow up with him and get your own attention on the show.

Von, That's awesome! I'm just curious, are you familiar with Herman Green by chance?

Congrats Von!!
I'll have to figure out where it is on in Culver City... any chance it's on Direct TV somewhere you know about?

Chuck Crowe

Thanks Jean!

The show's tonight - I can hardly wait....

Thanks Jack!

My father had such an impact on jazz and he is a virtual unknown. It blows me away when I see some book that claims to be a concise history of jazz and not include him in some way... I am getting the history books rewritten, though.

Cheers!

Hey bc - thanks for the kind words. No, I'm afraid I'm not familiar with Herman Green. I Googled him and he certainly has had an illustrious career. There were and are so many great players out there that made an impact. I think that's what makes me so determined to see them get recognition on the scale they deserve....

Thanks for mentioning him....

Thanks Chuck! I don't know if Direct TV carries it or not. As I mentioned, the station's call letters on TimeWarner are LACH.

If you can't see it, I'm hoping to at least upload some excerpts of the program, either on the Jazz In Hollywood site or YouTube, or both. We'll see what I can do...

Great!!! Yes, history often leaves things out....and eventually that becomes "truth" until someone challenges it....so yes, get the history rewritten NOW!

Please keep everyone posted on the documentary you'll be doing.

Congrats - break a leg!

Brenda

Von, The reason I asked about Herman Green was because I got got to sit in with his band "Freeworld" at Blues City Cafe on Beale Street last summer {and hope to do so again THIS summer.} He's a legend on Beale, and has played sax with B.B King, Muddy Waters, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Lionel Hapmton, to name a few.} To say it was an honor would be a gross understatement! Anyway, having heard your music, I Think you'd dig them. Their Bassist/vocalist Richard Cushing {No relation, believe it or not!}is a MONSTER! {like yourself}. They're on MYSPACE, if you'd like to check em' out. www.freeworldjams.com www.myspace.com/freeworldjams

Thanks Brenda!!!!

The show was last night - I think it went very well. As promised, I walked out with a VHS copy and Mr. Hanley said he would drive up to my place to give me my DVD copy sometime next week. Very cool...

My family told me, though, that the broadcast was delayed in starting, as a technical glitch didn't start the show until about fifteen minutes into it. Wouldn't you know. It must have been a production problem or something on the cable carrier's end, either way, once it started, everyone was happy. My sons were especially proud....

The VHS copy I have had the entire show.

Once I get the DVD, I'm considering editing excerpts out to upload on YouTube, maybe... I'm not sure yet.

Mr. Hanley said he would definitely like to have me back for a Part 2 show of Jazz In Hollywood and maybe even an episode featuring ONOFFON...

I'm planning on being well into production by then...

What a treat for you, bc!!!! It's so amazing to play with guys like that, that just seem to do what they do so effortlessly... it's absolutely awe inspiring!

I hope you get the chance to play with them again...

It looks like I don't have to edit excerpts of the episode of "Jazz in the Modern Age" after all (although I probably still will). The entire show is archived and available for viewing on the Cal State Dominguez Hills website. Here are the links -

California State University, Dominguez Hills Homepage -
http://dominguezonline.csudh.edu/

Online-TV Archive, for those who may want to view other shows in the series -
http://dominguezonline.csudh.edu/archives.php

Direct link to the actual show I was guest on -
http://dhtv2.csudh.edu/Jazz07/IDS336_7HB.wmv

It is a 90-minute show so it may be better for me to edit excerpts.

Until then, there is a GREAT clip from the movie, "A Song Is Born", that has a couple of wonderful close-ups of my dad playing, next to Virginia Mayo...

And that's just the tip of the iceberg...

Just wanted to let you know that I was NOT chosen for nomination for a 2007 Guggenheim Fellowship. I have appreciated the opportunity to even apply for such a prestigious award.

In the meantime - follow the links above and enjoy that film clip and quite a few tracks with my dad as bassist, cellist, and original composer...

What did I miss ONOFFON? You're not going to do your documentary, your museum? Don't let already-been-done stop you. This is yours, your opportunity to tell your Dad's story, and the bigger stories of life and jazz, your way, from your unique perspective, cutting it together in a new way, carrying it forward so someday, maybe your son, your grandson's grandson, can find it and redo it and carry it forward again. It's bigger than anything that's been done before. It's all that came before plus what's been done since, and passing it all through that one-of-a-kind filter, you.

Thanks Gary - I love your passion and support!!!!

No - I'm NOT giving up on my destiny!

I just had to report that the Guggenheim passed on me. Big deal - their loss...

They now become merely one of 167 foundations who have chosen not to support me, out of 403 proposals I have sent.

That leaves 236 I'm still waiting to hear from while I continue to send out more. And I still have the support of the New York Foundation for the Arts - that's significant in of itself.

Every time I get turned down, it just furthers my resolve to succeed!

The documentary will be first and that will bring the museum to public consciousness. Step by step...

Thanks again Gary!

Way to Go onoffon.....How sad though that our culture places more value on fame than artistry. The true history of jazz is populated by hundreds of people like your dad who made jazz a vibrant living artform. We generally only know about the guys who get a record deal.
Did your Dad play with Chico Hamilton???

ChuckS

Is the Doris Duke Foundation on your list? They support the performing arts.

I fancy myself a good wordsmith and a cute college girl told me I was the Yoda of editing. I'd be glad to read your proposal. If I could improve it, good. If not, well, nothing lost but whatever it took you to get it to me. I advise that the DVD, the links you cite above, and perhaps a transcript of the DVD, and perhaps a letter of support from Profesor Hanley, could all be added to your proposal.
And a second show with Professor Hanley is splendid! You might get him to re-play that lost 15 minutes by way of intro. And take your bass man! You don't get invites like that every day. Maybe you could rig a duet with a film of your father, ala Nat King and Natalie Cole. Anything for a splash!

You are also probably aware of corporate philanthropy, companies that give to causes. IBM gave $84 million in equipment in one recent year. Don't overlook them. Perhaps a little seed money from one of them could be a credential to a bigger funder.
The city, county, and state where the museum will be has an interest in this and may have seed money too. Perhaps it's a game of percentages you need to play, a bit of support here, added to a bit from there, until the final big angel flies in with the pot o' gold.
And, keep moving forward with the documentary project, getting as much of it done as time and personal funds enable. The research, the plan, the actual script, as I'm sure you know, can be continually gathered so, when the angel flies, you're ready to fly too. And fly, by all means, fly. Catch fire! www.garyeandrews.com (domain only)

Doris Duke is on my list of rejections - as are Annenberg, MacArthur, Universal, Ford, Getty, Skirball, ASCAP, GRAMMY, Pulitzer, Oprah, Xerox, Rockefeller, IBM, Bill Clinton, Carnegie, Occidental Petroleum, etc. etc. etc.

The four letters of support I had for my Guggenheim application were from the musical director of KKJZ-FM, the president of Peggy Lee Enterprises, an author writing the history of Pacific Jazz, and an Emmy, DGA, and Peabody award winning television producer/director. The level of personal references are of the utmost integrity - each one was extremely gracious in taking the time to help me in my quest to fulfill my destiny.

I appreciate your offer of help. Though, I am very confident in my presentation. I don't feel that is my weak point. I think my most vulnerable area is my lack of actual documentary filmmaking. But, with my backgrounds in film and video production and direction, I know exactly what it will take to produce this film.

I truly believe it is just a matter of time...

Thanks Chuck - appreciate your kind words.

I don't think my dad ever played with Chico. Maybe a gig here or there. I know Fred Katz, who regularly played with Chico, followed my dad's lead and played jazz cello.

I do have an AMAZING recording of my dad playing duet cellos with Oscar Pettiford - a four song EP that has to be one of the most unique and innovative sounds in recorded jazz history. I don't think any bassists/cellists have ever tried to do the same thing again.

THAT would be something I would love to recreate...

Cheers!

A minor update on my cultural pursuits...

I have now approached more than 442 foundations and individuals that support arts and culture and have yet to break through with any funding for my father's documentary.

After six months and five different presentations, the Guggenheim turned me down - 189 fellowships with more than 2,800 applicants they said. Still, I felt this story was too compelling.

I may be bruised and battered but I'm more determined than ever to bring this project to fruition!

Don't give up...as Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

Good luck

Emily

Perhaps a new tack is needed. There is also corporate philanthropy, companies that give funds for purposes, one or more of which might be interested in your project.
You must continue to create the project, the film, with or without help, continually amassing material, identifying where it can be found when you're ready for it, creating actual footage, writing the script for narration, still photos, documents, etc. The more complete the project is, the more likely others are to buy in and want to help you complete it and go to market.
As for the museum, someone in government at some level would love to have another tourism draw to add to the tourism and cultural mix in their locale. You need to find out who and where they are, and maybe interest more than one, to get them competing for it, supporting the whole project. Good luck. Such diligence will be rewarded in the end, and all the sweeter for the struggle.

Thanks Emily and Gary! It's great to have support from people like you that keep encouraging me in my quest.

I have to say, Gary, that I have more material than I need to do the film. In fact, it will be hard to determine what will end up on the cutting room floor. That being said, I have been acquiring more and more and others have been sending me additional material as well.

I know I'm on the right path - I'm speaking to the right people - I just have to connect with someone or some organization who has the same vision... I spoke with the House of Blues Foundation and while they stopped short of funding, they said they would be willing to work with me in hosting a fundraising concert(s) at their facility.

With the connections I have in the jazz world here throughout Los Angeles, we could put on one heck of a show!

Thanks again for your encouragements...

Ok. There's the funding to begin production. How much more impressive will the pitch become when you say, "Here's a short film, 25 or 45 minutes, the beginning of the longer one I need your help to produce." The film then is PR and product for the museum fundraiser.
The script may be the real task in ordering together all the material you have. Some general once said, "We are surrounded. Conditions excellent. We will attack." Attack, my friend; attack.

Actually Gary, I think it would take a much shorter "work-in-progress" reel or "trailer" to get my point across. Problem is, I don't have the money to purchase the appropriate equipment to do the job or to hire a facility that does.

All I have is the content, the legacy, and the passion....

That was compelling enough for the New York Foundation for the Arts.

I wanted to express how important the fiscal sponsorship from the New York Foundation for the Arts truly is. They were created to help artists in all disciplines, to fund projects that can't find traditional means of funding. To have their sponsorship is extremely prestigious.

They have a page of prominent artists who have gotten their starts from NYFA. On the top of the list is Spike Lee. Here is what it says -

"Spike Lee (1985 NYFA Fellow, Film) is one of America’s best known and critically-acclaimed filmmakers. His oeuvre includes Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, Jungle Fever, and 25th Hour. Said Lee: "While their file says that I used the no-strings attached money from NYFA to finish editing She's Gotta Have It, it makes no mention of the recognition I felt at that crucial point in my career -- recognition that I was a filmmaker, that I had something important to say. I can't begin to describe how much that meant to me as a young artist."

I'm certainly not a young artist - but that doesn't lessen the importance of NYFA recognizing me as a filmmaker and finding my project worthy of sponsorship. Their prominent artist page goes on to list Academy and Tony Award winners and Pulitzer Prize winners. It's a total honor to be able to work with NYFA and I can't thank them enough.

Not to mention, the positive PR that will go to the organization(s) and individual(s) that help this move forward is immeasureable.

It's good on all levels...

I'm very saddened today to learn that my father's longtime friend, trumpeter Buddy Childers, passed away on May 24th.

The whole purpose of my dad creating the Nocturne Record label back in 1954 was to highlight the musicians that had been sidemen in mainstream big bands for so many years - lost in the commercial music of Hollywood. While Buddy didn't have a Nocturne release, he did have two albums produced by my father, in the Jazz In Hollywood series that were released on Liberty Records in 1955 and 1956. My dad gave him the chance to lead his own groups, The Buddy Childers Quintet and Quartet, and Buddy never forgot that, always praising my father for allowing him to do that.

When I first met Mr. Childers, he was as honored to meet me (and my son) as I was to meet him. He was a very gracious and talented man.

On my recommendation to the board of directors of Los Angeles Music Week, Buddy Childers was honored in 2004 for his contributions to L.A. culture. It was wonderful to see him receive his certificates at L.A. City Hall from the city council - a long overdue honor.

As countless boards of foundations ponder whether or not to fund my documentary, we are constantly losing these wonderful musicians who helped to shape the west coast jazz movement...

Time marches on....

Wow, very cool! A well deserved "break" indeed!
I hope your Dad is still living, but if he isn't,
even then it's never "too late" to get such great recognition.
It's great that you can be involved in the whole process.

Please keep us posted and maybe send a link to YouTube after the show airs,
so the rest of us can see it again and share with friends and family!

Best regards,
Michael