Raggity Man

Willie Thomas | August 16, 2011

Imagine my surprise when I saw the Album cover with the five members of the MJT+3 looking at me on YouTube this week. I can assure you that a rush of fond memories accompanied the encounter as I looked back 50 years ago when I wrote that tune. It was at the peak of the big success this incredible group from Chicago was enjoying on the national scene. Playing opposite Coltrane, Miles, and Diz in all of the hot jazz clubs in NYC and around the circuit. I remember how hard I worked pulling this tune together from a crazy little riff that had been buzzing in my head for weeks. It was to feature Frank Strozier on flute and I wanted something sheik and different. Everyone was doing the blues march thing with clever titles. The term Raggity Man had a special connotation that seemed to fit the tune and the times. Frank liked the tune and it was fun to play and worked well for flute. The bridge is reminiscent of a bugle call with the troops marching over the hill, in fact, Cannonball Adderley liked it so much he asked me for permission to record it. Unfortunately, he died before he and Nat had the opportunity. So, many thanks to MonkeyIslandBlues from Italy for making a bright spot in my day.