Lucy Gellman Photos
When jazz musicians Phil E. Brown and Bob Winters met each other, Top Notch Ensemble wasn’t yet Top Notch Ensemble. It was Black Elm, so named for the Elm City. It felt natural to change the name, so they did.
Soon, they felt like they had been playing together for a lifetime. So when people asked them time and time again at shows “if they were still playing,” they knew that it was a sign that they needed to make a first CD.
That product, I’ve Been Around All the Time, And Yeah, I’m Still Playing, is now out.They appeared as guests on WNHH radio’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” to talk about the project, and their long careers in New Haven music.
“We all have done little small projects, and during that time during the early ‘60s, ‘70s, you did 45s. I’ve done many small projects just promoting. When you come to doing a full 10-track or 12-track CD, that is a big commitment. When I retired from the parking department, I decided: Well, that is a project and now I have time to do it,” said Brown.
“it’s different now. There aren’t that many clubs with music. A lot of musicians stop playing. When they do get jobs, they’ll play for peanuts. They’ll stop the other ones for playing. Therefore … a lot of people stop playing. It’s not like it used to be. New Haven used to be full of musicians. Good musicians. Vocalists and everything. It’s starting to winnow down,” added Winter.
To listen to the full episode, click on the audio above.