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@imhardforhardbop

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Happy 100th Birthday John Coltrane

On the eve of his centennial celebration, I joined two dozen other of my fellow @longplay.hifi compatriots to listen to some of Coltrane’s most seminal works. We began by listening to his magnum opus A Love Supreme—dropping the needle as the clock turned midnight and paired our listening session with a refreshing Petit Albet from Albet i Noya. As exhausted as I was since it was a weekday night, I couldn’t help but close my eyes and just soak it all in.

Rounding out A Love Supreme, we began the encore starting with Coltrane Sounds. I’d have to agree with my friend @amanandhismusic that Coltrane Sounds is one of if not my favorite collection of recordings during Coltrane’s 1960 sessions. It was a beautiful way to round off a wonderful night filled with fellow music lovers alike.

@longplay.hifi has quickly become a second home and one of San Diego’s crown jewels. If you are ever in San Diego, it’s a must hit spot!

I hope you’re all listening to some Coltrane today. Happy #Coltrane100! by @imhardforhardbop

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23 days ago

Not a normal post I usually do but I found some cheeky gospel records today at the thrift.

I grew up Catholic but always felt my experiences going to my friend’s Southern Baptist church was wayyy more fun. Here are some of the highlights! They’re all well loved but that just means I get to be the next person to enjoy them.

Remember, love has no bounds or borders—no exceptions. Whether it’s your weekend, sabbath, or work day, I hope everyone is enjoyed their Sunday! #vinyl #funk #soul #gospel #raregroove by @imhardforhardbop

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25 days ago

Lee Morgan - Cornbread (Blue Note BLP 4222, 1965)

61 years ago today, Lee Morgan alongside Herbie Hancock, Billy Higgins, Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, and Larry Ridley recorded Cornbread at Rudy Van Gelder’s Englewood Cliffs Studio. Coming off the success of 1964 hit “The Sidewinder”, Lee and Co. continued with that same soulful boogaloo formula. While I’m not particularly a huge fan of The Sidewinder and the Rumproller, Cornbread does it for me.

During high school, I often played opening track on Side B Ceora and it continues to be a favorite of mine. At this point, Lee Morgan had grown beyond that prodigy label and returned to jazz as a new man and composer.

Taking a break from Coltrane100 and spinning some other things. I haven’t played this album in quite some time but it was nice to pull it out today and celebrate my favorite jazz musician. Thank you, Lee ❤️

#jazz #vinyl #bluenote #leemorgan by @imhardforhardbop

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a month ago

Happy 69th Recording Anniversary to Blue Train. I can’t believe Lee Morgan was only 19 years old during the time or recording. I’m continuing to celebrate Coltrane100 this entire month and what a way to honor his legacy than by spinning this masterpiece. Big shoutout to @jetztspinnen for selling me his Liberty Mono copy a few years back.

#jazz #vinyl #johncoltrane #bluenote by @imhardforhardbop

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a month ago

johncoltranediscography.org (link in bio)

Exciting news! This month, @johncoltrane will turn 100 years old! To honor his legacy, Ryan Yoder (@amanandhismusic) and Donovan Le (@imhardforhardbop) have joined forces to build johncoltranediscography. This open-source website serves as a searchable record of everything Coltrane has played on. Over 245 releases spanning studio albums, live dates, bootlegs, 78s, and sideman material.

This project began almost 7 years ago. For the better part of a decade, Yoder (@amanandhismusic) has been fine tuning his own Coltrane Discography and completed it back in 2023, curating every physical piece of material Coltrane recorded.

For all the record collectors and Coltrane completists, johncoltranediscography.org has @discogs integrated so users can see which titles are already in their collection and which ones they still have left. As the month goes on, there will be updates especially with the Discogs integration. We appreciate your patience and support!

We welcome corrections, additions, and conversations: johncoltranediscography@gmail.com

A special thanks to:
The Coltrane Family & Estate
The Coltrane Reference (Lewis Porter, Chris DeVito, David Wild, Yasuhiro Fujioka, Wolf Schmaler)
Jazzdisco.org (Nobuaki Togashi, Kohji Matsubayashi, Masayuki Hatta)
Michael Cuscuna (Rest in Peace) & Lisa Cuscuna of @mosaic_images
Cem Kurosman of @bluenoterecords
Francis Wolff Photography Archives
Richard Capeless (@dgmono) of RVG Legacy @rvglegacy
Michael Farina (@bounderby99)

#JohnColtrane #Coltrane100 #jazz #vinyl #coltrane by @imhardforhardbop

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a month ago

I had the pleasure of being a guest selector at @longplay.hifi the other week and dropped a full jazz set. Big thanks to @narbig and the staff! taken in Longplay HiFi by @imhardforhardbop

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2 months ago

Summit Blue - S/T (Monolith Records, 2023)

Now more than ever do we need to support young artists. Eau Claire based band Summit Blue formed back in 2023 by a group of students at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: tenor saxophonist Hannah Harder, trumpeter Aidan Buck, keyboardist Zach Luginbill, bassist Patrick Lubben, and percussionist Riley Johnson.

I met Aidan (@bucks.records) through Instagram and we have kept in touch over the years. In three years, Summit Blue has released 2 albums and a new single back in 2025 specializing in live improvisation and original compositions. Recorded in a home studio Summit Blue self titled presents an intimate recording, fusing elements of jazz and r&b. When Aidan told me Summit Blue was releasing a CD for their self titled, I was so excited. There aren’t many CDs or records in my collection that I can say I personally know the artist. It’s an album I’ve introduced to many people but one I haven’t had the chance of highlighting.

Go support @_summitblue

And excuse the dust lol by @imhardforhardbop

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2 months ago

Tucked in an alley behind long time Convoy residents O’Brien’s and Tofu House sits @convoymusicbar. Beyond this inconspicuous door houses one of San Diego’s Crown Jewels in the Hi-Fi Listening Bar scene.

Paying homage to the Jazz Kissa culture formed after WWII, Convoy Music Bar is the ultimate audiophile getaway. Acoustically treated, this small venue is packed with youthful energy, great drinks, and some of the craziest JBL Studio Monitors I’ve ever seen. Modeled after the legendary JBL 4300 series monitors, these KRS 4351s by @kenricksound are incredible.

I had the opportunity to see @narbig of @longplay.hifi drop a set and it was fantastic. The system had great low end drive, crisp highs, and a rich midrange that I personally seek. Huge shoutout to Jonny, Rob, and the entire CMB Fam. It’s been a year since I’ve returned but I’m glad I did! I added some photos from my last visit. by @imhardforhardbop

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2 months ago

You just got Traned (credits: me) #coltrane #johncoltrane by @imhardforhardbop

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3 months ago

Happy Birthday Lee Morgan!

My second birthday tribute to a legend in one week. Today would have been Lee Morgan’s 88th Birthday and so I decided to go all the way to the beginning when he debuted as a leader in 1956. From November 4th to 7th, Lee Morgan recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s Hackensack Studio. From these sessions spawned Introducing Lee Morgan, Indeed!, and Hank Mobley’s Jazz Message No. 2!

On this record, Lee’s style proves he is a student of the craft. We hear influences from Dizzy, Clifford Brown, etc. Despite his confidence and prodigal genius, Lee leans on his veteran band led by Hank Mobley. It’s a privilege to hear the him in this manner especially with Van Gelder’s mastering and the intimacy of his parents’ Hackensack home. Is it my favorite Morgan album? Far from it but it’s an addition worthy of my shelves.

Happy Birthday to my favorite jazz musician. Thanks for everything Lee!

Introducing Lee Morgan - Lee Morgan with The Hank Mobley Quintet (Savoy Records, 1956)
Mid-1960s RVG Mono Pressing by @imhardforhardbop

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3 months ago

Happy Birthday Hank Mobley!

Today would have been the tenor saxophonist’s 96th birthday. No Room For Squares follows the typical Blue Note Blueprint: Incredible Francis Wolff photography, Reid Miles’ ability to bring photos on a contact sheet to life, and the genius of mastering engineer, Rudy Van Gelder. This record highlights Mobley’s writing with standouts in the title track and “Three Way Split”. While I enjoy the tracks with Lee Morgan more than with Donald Byrd, my ultimate preference is when all three play simultaneously like on BLP 1540!

Happy 96 years to the Middleweight Champion himself!

No Room for Squares Contact Sheet by Francis Wolff

Reid Miles Pull Back Effect coined by the late Michael Cuscuna

Photo selected by Reid Miles

Final Result! by @imhardforhardbop

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3 months ago

Today we say goodbye to one of the greats—one of the few remaining relics of jazz’s golden age.

Thank you, Sonny, for all you’ve given to humanity.

His legacy lives on, for he was not only large in stature, but larger than life itself.

Rest in peace to the Saxophone Colossus <3

#sonnyrollins by @imhardforhardbop

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5 months ago