Before I relate this story I want to acknowledge my gratitude for what George Avakian contributed to our culture and the music business too.
If it wasn’t for George and people like him who had that deep passion and love for jazz and all forms of music most likely I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today.
So thank you George and R.I.P.
George Avakian & Jazz For A summers Day
Retired NYC school teacher and avid jazz autograph collector Seamus Mullen shared this George Avakian story with me last year.
Over the years Seamus tracked down as many of the living musicians who appeared in the famous jazz film JAZZ ON A SUMMER'S DAY NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL 1958 and got them to sign his poster for the film.
The film was directed by commercial fashion photographer Bert Stern.
The musical director for the film was George Avakian.
According to Seamus Mullen when he asked George Avakian to sign the poster he got an earful about Bert Stern taking the director credit signing the poster this way:
I am Avakian, the director and editor.
And again under where it says A Bert Stern Movie he writes:
A fuckin’ liar – GA
Watch The Film
Jazz on a Summer's Day (1959)
In addition to this signed poster Seamus has an amazing collection of signed albums and art:
One of the more amazing items in his collection was found by his son James Mullen, who is also a jazz educator in Rockland County and Westchester County High School Jazz Coordinator for 2016/2017.
He purchased this Sonny Stitt LP from Ebay
The white inner sleeve was crumbled up inside the album jacket and had to be taped back together.
This is what he found:
And what makes this even more poignant is these were his adoptive parents.
What an amazing jazz find!
Jim Eigo
Jazz Promo Services
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jim@jazzpromoservices.com
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