The four leaders I've been most completist about: Sun Ra, Monk, Carla Bley, Sam Rivers. Sabir Mateen played a fine show in New Orleans the other night w/ his Quintet -- Raphe Malik, drummer Ravish Momin, bassist/cellist Jane Wang and pianist Raymond King. I had never heard of King before but he' s the one who really blew me away -- never a wasted note, every statement beautifully formed, however choppy or asymmetrical, and when he suddenly broke into stride for a few bars, the whole crowd kind of vibrated with excitement. Apparently he's 75 and has never recorded -- I heard he's from Philadelphia, perhaps Skip can shed some light? Jane Wang was especially cool, too. She really listens and the quirky elegance of her playing was a very interesting contrast to the excitable horns. Hamiett Bluiett was also here this week, but unfortunately, it was another show w/ his old buddy Kidd Jordan -- apparently he won't come down unless it's to play with Kidd. Like last time, there ended up being a lot more Kidd than Hamiett -- not just because Hamiett''s arrival was delayed by fog that shut down the airport, but also once he made the gig, Kidd still pretty much ruled the roost with his usual squalling. Yawn. There was one solo piece by Hamiett that was pretty cool, but the group never gelled at all.