[Clive]
The greatest modern jazzman of them all, Miles Davis, captured in his pomp in a 1959 TV performance of "New Rhumba". Gil Evans is the conductor. (Yes, they used to allow jazz musicians on the small screen in those days.)
That kills two birds with one stones, as the tune was composed by my favourite jazz pianist, the arch-minimalist Ahmad Jamal, seen here doing some sweet improvising on a blues.
All of which is as good an excuse as any for one of the silliest musical Christmas jokes of all time. I first came across it in bass-player Bill Crow’s priceless collection of anecdotes.
A guy walked into a pet store looking for a Christmas gift for his wife. The storekeeper said he knew exactly what would please her and took a little bird out of its cage. "This is Chet," he said, "and Chet can sing Christmas carols and songs."
Seeing the look of disbelief on the customer’s face, he proceeded to demonstrate. "He needs warming up," he said. "Lend me your cigarette lighter." The storekeeper lifted Chet’s left wing and waved the flame lightly under it. Immediately, Chet sang Oh Come, All Ye Faithful.
"That’s fantastic," said the customer.
"And listen to this," said the storekeeper, warming Chet’s other wing. Chet sang O Little Town of Bethlehem.
"Wrap him up," said the customer, "I’ll take him!"
When he got home he greeted his wife: "Honey, I can’t wait until Christmas to show you what I got you. This is fantastic." He unwrapped Chet’s cage and showed the bird to his wife. "Now, watch and listen."
He raised Chet’s left wing and held him over a Christmas candle that was burning on the mantlepiece. Chet immediately began to sing Silent Night. The wife was delighted. As Chet’s right wing was warmed over the flame, he sang Joy To The World.
"Let me try it," said the wife, seizing the bird. In her eagerness, she held Chet a little too close to the candle flame. Chet began to sing passionately:
"Chet’s nuts roasting on an open fire…"
Well, I did warn you it was silly.
The Dish 