Artist: Sonny Rollins

What I wanted to share is that the first time ever I heard a recording of Mr. Rollins playing, not being too exposed to any Bop – Be Bop or Hard Bop at all really, probably I was 17 (??). I can say that I actually remember “waking up” as I listened… Started then taking Jazz daily… Listen… Rinse… Repeat!!!

– Daniel Oneill
Born: Montreal Quebec, March 26, 1955

Artist: Sergios Mendes

Famous for the crossover hit Brazil ’66, but I much more love Brazil ’65! Less pop, more genuine Bossa Nova. I was surprised to have them as the opening act when I went to see the Smothers Brothers in San Francisco at age 15. Check them out – far superior (for me) than Brazil ’66! This was my introduction to Bossa Nova and the music of my life!

– Lou Judson
Born: Fort Belvoir, March 7, 1950

Artist: Dave Liebman & Richie Beirach

I have followed these guys for over 50 years. Their book, Ruminations & Reflections: The Musical Journey of Dave Liebman and Richie Beirach, is a wonderful story of their long relationship in music.

– Frank Yanow
Born: Malone, July 26, 1939

Artist: Horace Silver

I saw Horace in the late sixties with Randy Brecker and Joe Henderson at the Aqua Lounge in West Philadelphia. Great night, great music.

– Alfred Harrison
Born: Upper Darby, January 27, 1948

Artist: Laurindo Almeida

I was fortunate enough to see Laurindo back in 1977 (when I was young!) in Saratoga at the Paul Masson Mountain Winery, as it was known back then when it was a much more intimate setting than it is today… folding chairs, bleachers, and umbrellas. You could secure a great seat by getting there early and throwing your jacket or sweater over the back of the chair. Laurindo was very engaging with the audience while playing with the great Ray Brown, Shelley Manne, and Bud Shank, also known as the LA Four. This is a moment in time I have always cherished, as I still remember one of the stories he told about his poodle howling at him during practice if he hit a sour note. One time during the concert when Laurindo was playing a beautiful solo, a very loud bird started squawking and then flew overhead, squawking all the way. Laurindo made some comment, I don’t remember what, but everyone just started laughing!

– Susan Hubbart
Born: Illinois, September 11, 1953

Artist: Kenny Dorham

Back in the sixties and onward, I was in charge of hiring talent for the Louisville Jazz Council, later renamed the Louisville Jazz Society. We held Monday night concerts on the top floor of Stouffer’s in their main restaurant at the corner of E. Broadway and First Street. I hired Kenny Dorham and Lee Konitz to play together with a local rhythm section. Unfortunately, I can’t recall anything about the concert. Back then, no one had a camera, and besides, we all thought everyone was going to live forever, so we figured we’d get some shots the next time. I hope I can find the date, etc., in one of the boxes I have on LJS history.

– Jamey J. Aebersold
Born: New York City, July 21, 1939

Artist: Charles Mingus

When I represented Charles Mingus as his lawyer, he once told me that he wanted me to sue the state of California for failing to educate him!

– Howard Fischer
Born: New York City, May 2, 1939

Artist: Russell Malone

In October 2023, I had the pleasure of spending most of the day with Russell Malone and Mr. Ron Carter during their four-day engagement here in Denver, Colorado. They met 103-year-old Charlie Burrell, the legendary bass player and uncle of Dianne Reeves.

Charlie Burrell was the first African American musician in the world to be hired by a major symphony when he joined the then-Denver Symphony in 1949. He is also the last living musician to have played at the historic Rossonian Lounge in Denver. In the presence of Charlie Burrell and Ron Carter, Russell Malone said that we were looking at the world’s two greatest living bass players. They represented the Martin Luther King and Desmond Tutu of the music world.

I first met Russell when he toured with my cousin Dianne Reeves some thirty years ago, and he was truly a giant among guitar artists.

– Purnell Steen
Born: Denver, April 15, 1941

Artist: Lester Young

In the ’50s, Lester was opening for a Dakota Staton concert. He came on stage staggering, and the audience jeered. Then he managed to get the horn to his mouth. They got it. You could hear a pin drop.

– Robert Weinstein
Born: Connecticut, April 29, 1939

Artist: Russell Malone

Russell Malone was a jazz giant and a gentleman, and we attended his lovely concert at Scullers in Boston. He had a guest trumpeter from Germany, as I recall. Russell had a warm personality and a great sound on his guitar. Gone from us way too early, as I was looking forward to his next concert.

– Jim Townsend
Born: Hanover, February 25, 1946

Artist: Eddie Durham

Amazing!

Love your reaching back to bring attention to Eddie Durham in music! I first watched him play trombone and then pick up his guitar and solo at the West End Cafe in 1976.

– Daniel Kassell
Born: Dover, April 15

Artist: The Count Basie Band

I heard the Count Basie band playing at the Westbury Music Fair on the rotating stage. Basie was in a motorized wheelchair, but he still swung like mad. The band sat in a circle facing the center, and God, they were tight and dynamic. I’m so lucky to have seen and heard the man himself.

– Jay Singer
Born: New York City, January 28, 1952

Artist: Bill Evans

I was fortunate to see Bill Evans several times. The last time was in the late 1970s. I was a medical intern in Boston, and I made my way over to Lulu White’s on Appleton Street in the South End. Bill Evans was brilliant that night. Along with Bill, the extraordinary Dave McKenna was also on the bill. What a night listening to and enjoying two of the greatest.

– Alan
Born: Long Island, August 22, 1951

Artist: Bill Evans

Met him in Sausalito and Monterey, CA, around 1976 after sending a tune I wrote called “Tanace” (jazz waltz). He acknowledged receiving it and playing it on a college tour here. I’ll send copies of “Tanace” out to anyone inquiring and display the music on my FB site and LinkedIn under the Nick Williams Trio name. Loved “Midnight Mood,” especially with Philly Joe on drums! Exciting live performance. Thanks.

– Nicklas Williams
Born: Seattle, April 2, 1941

Artist: George Shearing

Back in the early ’60s, the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church staged a series of concerts called “The Boxwood Concerts,” named after the boxwood hedges the church retained when it purchased the Thorpe Estate, Hollin Hall. These concerts were free and open to the public, held in a bucolic natural amphitheater where a small stage had been constructed. They featured big-time folk and jazz artists.

One of these was a solo concert by George Shearing, where he performed a number of jazz standards, including his own “Lullaby of Birdland.” This piece has particular resonance for me since I met the lyricist, George David Weiss, who explained that when he wrote the lyric, it was attributed to B. Y. Forster, a pseudonym he used to get around the conflict between his contract with ASCAP and Shearing’s with BMI. Incidentally, other jazz artists in the series were Teddy Wilson and Charlie Byrd.

– Archer Anhony Jordan
Born: New York City, November 7, 1946

Artist: Pat Metheney

The year I cannot recall, but the performance was stellar. “Are You Going With Me” quite literally blew us away. Pinned back by a wall of incredible sound, reaching higher and higher with ever-increasing complexity. It left us overwhelmed and exhilarated! Thank you, Pat. Unforgettable!

– Vincent Maiolini
Born: London, May 3, 1948

Artist: Oscar Peterson

I saw Oscar for the first time in 1952 at the Tiffany Club in Los Angeles. I had studied classical piano starting at age 7, and now in high school, I wanted to move on to jazz. I had formed a small quintet based on George Shearing’s quintet and hoped to pay our way through college.

When I heard Oscar play, I was just blown away. Technique never entered the equation. He swung so hard, and he could play anything. Knowing that achieving that level of genius was beyond my grasp, I continued to study at LACC and play casuals but utilized my background to find work in the film-music industry. I reveled in Oscar’s playing over the years and saw him last at Yoshi’s in Oakland in 2005. He was sick and frail, but the spark of genius was still shining through.

– Jim Henrikson
Born: Los Angeles, August 26, 1934

Artist: Rahsaan Roland Kirk

I went to the record store after hearing Jethro Tull on the recently-formed underground radio station. The owner said, “If you like this, you ought to hear this.” I bought “The Inflated Tear.” I still play it a lot, along with other Kirk albums. Sometimes my personal DJ intrusions might be a pain to acquaintances. They should listen. Kirk’s improvisations, especially with Ron Burton on piano, make me cry every time. My wife just smiles.

– Fritz Groszkruger
Born: Santa Monica, October 4, 1945

Artist: Rahsaan Roland Kirk

Rahsaan played all night at my clothing store called New Breed Clothiers in Oakland, California, at 1737 Broadway, after a concert in San Francisco.

– Larry Fowler
Born: Oakland, September 29, 1947

Artist: Rahsaan Roland Kirk

I was chairman of Arts, Concerts, and Lectures at Goddard College in 1969 when I booked Kirk’s band for a three-day workshop and concert. He had Ron Burton on piano, Vernon Martin on bass, and Joe Texidor on rhythm stick, but no drummer. He assumed there would be a drummer at the college who could fill in. This was problematic since, while there were several potential set drummers, a fellow who went by the name Bubba Fume, who was a conga drummer, intimidated the other drummers on racial grounds. However, Bubba couldn’t play a trap set, as Rahsaan remarked, taking the sticks in hand and demonstrating. Bubba said, “But I’m black!” to which Rahsaan replied, “Well, I’m blind, but I can hear and you can’t play.”

On the third day, when the group played their concert in the Greatwood cafeteria, a union drummer from Boston came up to fill out the combo. Rahsaan knew his audience well, opening with “Pinball Wizard” at breakneck tempo. The bulk of the concert was from the soon-to-be-released “Volunteer Slavery” album. He concluded the concert by playing “Hey Jude” while marching around the hall with the audience following in Pied Piper style and singing the chorus.

– Archer Anthony Jordan
Born: New York City, November 7, 1946

Artist: Carl Saunders

One summer, visiting friends in Anchorage, I had the opportunity of seeing Carl Saunders performing with local music students living there. I had never heard of him before, but I was ‘blown away’ by his amazing range and jazz technique on the trumpet. I bought his album, “Can You Dig Being Dug” featuring Carl in a quartet setting, and this has become one of my all-time favorite jazz albums.

– Frank Yanow
Born: Malone, July 26, 1939

Artist: Airto Moreira

We have been in awe of his phenomenal talent since seeing him with Corea and Return to Forever at Berkeley Community Theater in the ‘70s and never missed a show at Yoshi’s with him and Flora… also catching him with other bands as well… a true monster percussionist of our time… We really miss his presence… Wishing him a very happy and healthy birthday ❤️

– Dennis Hartelius
Born: Sweden, March 8, 1947

Artist: Bix Biederbecke

I’ve been researching my ancestry and discovered that a cousin, Angela Searle, was once engaged to Bix. He gave her his class ring and someone in the family still has it!

– Susan Hubbart
Born: Illinois, September 11, 1953

Artist: Philly Joe Jones

As a child, I sat in his living room with my grandfather, Albert Rucker (bass player), listening to them talk about the old days. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I realized how blessed, privileged, and rich in culture my childhood was.

– Terence Reed
Born: Philadelphia, December 1973

Artist: Patty Waters

I lived in Santa Cruz from 1983-89 and did sound at the Kuumbwa Jazz Club. I met Patty there and was amazed at her talent and incredible shyness. She introduced me to “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing” and had the strangest way of singing. Innovative doesn’t cover it; she was like a Sun Ra of the voice, and like a beat jazz poet without peer. I never knew what to make of her, and just made her sound as good as possible. A strange, shy, quirky person I’ll never forget.

– Lou Judson
Born: California, March 7, 1950

Artist: Duke Ellington and his Orchestra

Duke Ellington and his orchestra performed in New Delhi on September 25, 1963, as part of a world tour. After the concert, some of us from the Delhi Music Society invited the band out for dinner. The Indian capital in those days was less cosmopolitan than now, but there were some fine restaurants with their own bands. We headed for Alps, in what was then known as Connaught Place, in the center of town. As expected, the resident band was gobsmacked to see Duke Ellington and his band walk in. They were thrilled to hand over their instruments, and an impromptu concert followed. I still have the program with some autographs from that unforgettable night and would be happy to share a facsimile of it.

– Suman Dubey
Born: India, February 21, 1943

Artist: Jim Rotondi

Jim was one of the finest trumpet players on the planet. I have fond memories of sharing a bed and breakfast at the Orsara Jazz Camp and Festival in Italy years ago. In the house with Jim and me were Joe Farnsworth, Jerry Bergonzi, and John Weber. We had the most fantastic week together, playing and hanging out. Jimbo was the nicest guy and such a pleasure to play and hang with. Gonna miss him! RIP, brother!

– Mark Sherman
Born: New York City, April 17, 1957

Artist: George Washington (trombonist)

I met Abe Lincoln, a trombone player, at the Bighorn Jazz Fest in Illinois in the early ’70s. He told a story about how he was driving to a gig in Nebraska and got pulled over. After the cop asked his name, he looked over at the passenger and said, “And I suppose this is George Washington,” to which the passenger replied, “Why yes, as a matter of fact, I am!” The cop ran them in.

– Donna Springer
Born: Chicago, March 9, 1950

Artist: John Williams

I’d like to leave a brief note about Count Basie’s baritone saxophonist, John Williams. We worked together touring Japan and Europe—he with Basie and me with George Benson (as a keyboardist). I got to know John that way and always loved his gentle kindness and musicianship. I’m sorry to learn that he has passed. He was a beautiful musician and such a nice cat.

– Thom Hall
Born: Detroit, June 12

Artist: Oscar Peterson

My wife and I would go anytime Oscar played in Los Angeles. Personally, I know there are many excellent jazz pianists, but Oscar always takes his playing to a level few can approach.

– Bleicher Howard H.
Born: Chicago, April 17, 1936

Artist: Butch Miles

I lived in Edmonton, Alberta, from 1972 to 1984. I had the thrill of seeing Butch live twice: the first time was with the Basie band in a 3,200-seat theatre. The second time was much more personal. I was the programmer for a 750-seat theatre at the University of Alberta, and I presented the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Dave’s son Chris played electric bass and trombone, and Butch was the drummer (I cannot remember who the sax player was, sorry). I also got to see him a third time, playing with a quartet at Eddie Condon’s Place in New York. One of my favorite jazz drummers ever.

– Peter Feldman
Born: Amherst, October 19, 1949

Artist: Gene Cipriano

Cip was not only talented; he was the nicest man on the planet. He was always helping others, and when he was with someone, he wanted to know how they were, seldom if ever talking about himself. He was a friend to all.

– Mike Vaccaro
Born: California, January 29, 1943

Artist: Lonnie Smith

Lonnie Smith was in Kalamazoo, MI, for the 2018 Gilmore Int’l Keyboard Festival. I was his driver, as I was also for the Emmet Cohen Trio, which was making its first non-NYC appearance.

After the Trio’s noontime performance, I hosted them for lunch. During lunch, I showed them the Festival program book, which had a small picture of them across from a full-page photo of Lonnie Smith. The young trio was agog … “Lonnie Smith was here?” they asked. I answered that not only was he here, but he was still here and that I would be picking him up in two hours to take him to the airport.

I asked if they would like to meet him. They were eager to do so. I called Smith at the nearby hotel and explained that this very young trio would like to meet him. He readily agreed, so I dropped the Trio off in the hotel lobby where he was to meet with them, which he did.

Two hours later, I returned to pick up Dr. Smith, and even at his relatively advanced age, he and the Trio were still engaged in a lively conversation. He didn’t need to take time out of his day to meet with a trio of then-unknown musicians, but he did.

He was a true gentleman (and, of course, the Emmet Cohen Trio—who arranged their first tour using Gilmore Festival money—has since skyrocketed to the top of the profession). Their juxtaposition at this Festival and my fortuitous involvement with them has made that Festival day one to remember.

– Bill Maxey
Born: Indiana, September 13, 1939

Artist: Roy Hargrove

I saw Roy Hargrove at the Carter Theatre in Princeton, N.J., many years ago. I loved his performance, but I was spellbound by one particular piece.

– Mitch D.
Born: New York City, September, 1942

Artist: Joe Chambers

His recent performance with a dynamic quintet he brought to Ronnie Scott’s in London in April was a treat to witness. Musicianship at its finest!

– Gerry Wood
Born: Surrey, August 29, 1941

Artist: George Russell

I studied big band arranging with Bill Russo at the Manhattan School of Music circa 1959. One day, George Russell substituted when Bill couldn’t make it. It was then that I was introduced to the Lydian Chromatic Concept and bought George’s book. He told us at the time that Art Farmer used it. Interesting concept.

– Eddie Winston
Born: Ventnor City, April 30, 1938

Artist: Jon Faddis

He was invited and proved not only to be a great Trumpeter, but a GREAT Musician!

– Raul Cordova
Born: Puerto Rico, May 11, 1947

Artist: Eric Dolphy

I attended a Mingus Sextet concert at an indoor arena while I was a medical student in Bologna in 1964. The group was well received, as evidenced by the audience’s calls of “bis” (encore). Apparently, Charlie had no idea what “bis” meant in Italian since, at the end of the first set, he mentioned that the audience’s hissing meant they did not appreciate his music. I managed to get to the stage before Charlie and the group left for their break. I explained to Charlie that the audience, though it sounded like a hissing sound, was truly expressing overwhelming approval of their music.

Another memory I have of Eric Dolphy is from sometime in the late 1950s in Milford, Massachusetts, at the Sons of Italy Hall, where Chico Hamilton and his quintet played one evening. Eric was featured as a new member of the group. I even managed to get autographs from Chico and Eric.

– Noel C. Bon Tempo
Born: Cleveland, October 21, 1937

Artist: Lalo Sharon

The MJQ and Third Stream album was my first time hearing Lalo’s music. It opened my ears and broadened my appreciation of classical music.

– Susan Shawl
Born: San Francisco, July 3, 1940

Artist: Andy Hunter

I had the pleasure of playing lead with Ernie Krivda’s Fat Tuesday Big Band in Cleveland, Ohio, with Andy Hunter. What an amazing trombone soloist Andy is! He is now in the WDR Big Band, one of my favorite big bands to listen to. I always enjoy listening to Andy, and he is a very nice fellow. We have been friends ever since Cleveland. I also enjoy his Facebook page, where he has shared things about his family and boating. Andy is a gem.

– Linda Landis
Born: Ohio, October

Artist: Jerry Gonzalez

The first time I saw Jerry González and the Fort Apache Band (The FAB) was in the late 1980s at one of the “Salsa Meets Jazz” sessions on Monday nights at the Village Gate—right around the time “Rumba Para Monk” came out, which, in my humble opinion, is one of the best offerings of Monk’s music by any other artist!

After seeing the band, I became a big fan and I’ve seen The FAB at least 10 times. Twice at the Village Gate, four times at the Blue Note, once at Sweet Basil (which I wrote about previously), once at the Iron Horse in Northampton, MA, once at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, and once at a neighborhood park in Schenectady, NY.

The last time I saw the band was Saturday, May 26, 2012, at the Blue Note. I remember it because Steve Berrios wasn’t there—Larry Willis told me that he was upset with Jerry about something—and Jeff “Tain” Watts was holding the drums chair that night. But more importantly, I remember that both sets were recorded that night because they announced it the night before! I don’t know who or what label recorded it, but it’s in a vault somewhere.

Steve and Jerry did reconcile their differences as the band played the Blue Note for six nights in July of 2013—just three weeks before Steve passed away. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend any of those performances. Maybe some of those performances were recorded as well, but I don’t know that.

To me, when it comes to Latin Jazz, The FAB is No. 1 on my list. Yes, there are many great Latin Jazz bands: Mongo Santamaría, Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Poncho Sanchez, Cal Tjader, Irakere, Machito, Chico O’Farrill, and Mario Bauzá, to name a few. In all these bands, the “Latin” or “Afro-Cuban” side of the equation is the emphasis. With the Fort Apache Band, both sides of the equation—the “Latin” side and the “Jazz” side—are on equal footing, and the recording “Rumba Para Monk” is exhibit #1. The tune “Obsession” is another of my favorite recordings by The FAB.

– Yves Nazon
Born: Haïti, July 4, 1954

Artist: Jerry Gonzalez

Jerry and Andy González, while with Conjunto Libre, played at my old Café Galería y Teatro – La Tertulia in the East Village, NYC in the late ’70s! Jerry was a consistent innovator, jovial, and a perfectionist when it came to his music! He respected those who respected good music. His live recording with Chano Dominguez, Rumba Pà Jerry, is evidence of how a master conguero transforms a simple tune into a great one! He also displays his ability to teach new musicians how to elaborate on a simple rhythm pattern without losing the original sound. I will always remember him doing what he did best!

– Raùl Cordova
Born: Puerto Rico, May 11, 1947

Artist: Jerry Gonzalez

I remember a Fort Apache gig in NY at Sweet Basil. I was sitting right up front with my 9-year-old son. A group of young guys came and sat behind us—four of them—I think they were Cubans. They looked at Jerry’s set of five congas and started snickering… five congas? Nobody plays five congas, who is he kidding? And on, and on. Well, by the end of the set, they were whistling, clapping, and shouting the praises of Jerry. They became complete converts and had joined the church of the “Fort Apache Band” with the reverend Jerry González presiding! 😂

– Yves Nazon
Born: Haïti, July 4, 1954

Artist: Jerry Gonzalez

For a big chunk of time, I was their documentarian, photographer, and friend.

– Tontxi Vazquez
Born: New York City

Artist: Conrad Janis

I saw him at the Central Plaza in the Village (1950s). He would stand on the upright piano playing trombone. Fights would break out when the Fleet was in – pitchers of beer flew – GREAT TIMES – drinking and smoking – HA!!!!!

I saw everybody during the 50s, from Dixie and Big Band Swing to BEBOP. The USA today is a disgrace when it comes to music. But Jazz still lives in Europe and Asia – just check YouTube!

It’s great being old (and still kickin’) and having lived during those great post-war years, with all the memories. There’s nothing like LIVE Jazz!

Thanks for letting me vent!

– Joe Parascand
Born: Brooklyn, 80s

Artist: Tootie Heath

Tootie’s sense of humor was a constant. He kept anyone he worked with in good spirits. The most amazing thing about working with him was his uncanny ability to make his drum solos sound like the melody of the song.

– Bill Glasser
Born: Cambridge, July 1, 1946

Artist: Les Paul

I saw Les Paul play at The Iridium in NYC a bunch of years ago. I believe Frank Vignola was playing with him that night. The female vocalist accompanying him was just marvelous as well.

– Mitchell Dormont
Born: New York City, September 18

Artist: Errol Garner

My dad took me to hear him in 1959 or so when I was 11. Even at 11 years old, I noticed how effortless his playing was. My child’s mind was particularly interested in the money the waiters would bring to the piano with requests from the audience. Some of the tips were almost half my dad’s weekly pay!

– Norm Mohamid
Born: Toronto, 1948

Artist: Ramsey Lewis

Had to be 1975. I was just a punk kid trying to impress a girl, so I took her to dinner and a show with Ramsey at the London House in downtown Chicago. I wish I could remember how it went, but I remember sitting at the table and being wowed by the idea that Ramsey was playing within 20 feet of me. Hell, I can’t even remember how I paid for that night; it must have cost me a bundle, LOL. Thanks for the memory jog, kinda!

– Pat Perry
Born: Chicago, November 26, 1955

Artist: Miles Davis

My dad, Morris Primack, was one of the original owners/investors in Birdland. I was having dinner with him at the club one evening (he ate most of his dinners there) when I made a comment that it was too bad you couldn’t dance at the club when Count Basie appeared. Just then, I felt the presence of someone behind me leaning over and telling me that there were two “Lands” on Broadway, Roseland and Birdland. If I wanted to dance, I could go to Roseland, but to listen to and enjoy the music, I had to go to Birdland. I turned to meet Miles Davis, who winked at my dad, and I considered the matter settled.

– Aurin Primack
Born: New York, August 29, 1940

Artist: Redd Holt and Eldee Young

Eldee had a trio, with Redd, that played various hotel venues in Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore in the late 1980s. I had the pleasure of watching some of their performances in all three venues. They were excellent musicians, and we enjoyed quite a few conversations as I encountered them during their Asian tours.

– Ron Brown
Born: Connecticut, September 20, 1946

Artist: Bill Evans

I was fortunate to see Bill Evans several times. The last time was in the late 1970s. I was a medical intern in Boston, and I made my way over to Lulu White’s on Appleton Street in the South End. Bill Evans was brilliant that night. Along with Bill, the extraordinary Dave McKenna was also on the bill. What a night listening to and enjoying two of the greatest.

– Alan
Born: Long Island, August 22, 1951

Artist: Doc Ross

When I was learning to play blues harp in the 1960s, Doc Ross’s LP Call The Doctor was a very important influence and learning tool for me. I played along with that LP for many hours. I still have it, and it has notes in pencil indicating which harp to play on each tune.

– Howard Herrnstadt
Born: Bronx, 1947

Artist:  Sonny Rollins

Of the six times I heard Sonny Rollins perform live, the first was something extra special. It was at The Quiet Knight in Chicago, a relatively small club that featured everything from folk to rock to jazz to reggae (including Bob Marley just before he made it big) and much more.

He had an electric guitarist as well as the usual electric bassist, Bob Cranshaw, in the quintet. Absolutely riveting! It helped make me a fan for life.

– William Maakestad
Born: Illinois, February 5

Artist: Dizzy Gillespie

He came to my college with his big band around 1958. I rushed up to the stage at halftime: “I loved your set.” He ignored me but looked at my date…right down to her cleavage: “Young man, you have impeccable taste.” She laughed, me too! Quintessential Dizzy!

– Robert Weinstein
Born: Connecticut, April 28, 1939

Artist: Maynard Ferguson

I met him twice when I was in high school. He would conduct a short clinic in the afternoon before the show, meeting with several of us to talk about various high school jazz topics.

He was always patient with us, and we were all starstruck by his talent.

– Charles Harbour
Born: Toms River, January 3, 1964

Artist: Mel Lewis

Mel Lewis and I share a date and place of birth. The similarity ends there.

– Jack Bowers
Born: Pittsburgh, May 10, 1935

Artist: J. C. Higginbotham

Two memories: one of listening to a 45 of “Saints Go Marching In” as a young boy and Louis Armstrong saying, “Here comes J.C. Higginbotham on his trombone!” The other, a recent one, on this very same Art Ford session of J.C. smoking a joint. A first for American TV?

– Anand Pandya
Born: Mumbai, January 13, 1948

Artist: Bud Freeman

I knew him extremely well. I worked with Robert Wolf on Bud’s book, Crazology. Also did take some care of him in later years. We were very good friends.

– Roger Isaacs
Born: Boston, October 23, 1925

Artist: Edward “Kidd” Jordan

Don’t forget that Kidd Jordan got the idea to put Oliver, Hamiett, David, and Julius together at SUNO in New Orleans in the 1970s, and thus spawned the World Saxophone Quartet.

– D Kunian
Born: Colorado Springs, 1969

Artist: Bill Holman

A sad farewell to Willis, who, to my ears, was the greatest arranger of big band jazz that the world has ever produced. Strong words, yes, but true! And there was no more humble, unpretentious human being than Bill Holman. Every Holman arrangement is a masterpiece in itself. What serious big band jazz listener doesn’t have his “Stompin’ at the Savoy” for Kenton’s Orchestra on their top ten all-time favorites? None I’ve known. Every first-call jazz musician in entertainment capital Los Angeles fought for a chair in his organization, which was simply called “The Bill Holman Band”!

Bill was a quiet swinger until the very end, having appeared at almost every Los Angeles Jazz Institute festival in the past twenty years. He loved to talk to anyone and everyone who appreciated his artistry. As with his friend Johnny Mandel, he was so down-to-earth; many of us often remarked that “he doesn’t know he’s Bill Holman!” Every festival performance earned the longest standing ovations without exception. His arrangements made us cry with both joy and tenderness. There will never be another.

Rest in peace, Willis. You will always be loved!

– Joe F Lowe
Born: San Marcos, November 19

Artist: Maynard Ferguson

I used to see him at the Metropol on Broadway in NYC.

– Nathan Brenowitz
Born: Brooklyn, August 27, 1945

Artist: Ron Carter

I am looking forward to the future memory of Ron Carter being inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

– Hasan Shahid
Born: Montgomery, March 12, 1944

Artist: Don Friedman

Don Friedman talks on camera about having a perfect pitch at artistsofjazz.com

– Robert Wagner
Born: Melrose, January 22, 1950

Artist: Duke Ellington

When Duke was playing the Lounge at Harrah’s Tahoe in 1966 or ’67, he did “La Plus Belle”. I fell in love with it, and a few weeks later found the album that included it, “Soul Call”. I’ve been listening to it ever since. A truly stunning piece!

– Jean Melvin
Born: North Carolina, October 1943

Artist: Ira Sullivan

In 2019, at a Miami Jazz Co-op gig, on Ira’s birthday, I wished him a Happy Birthday. He said it was his piano birthday. 88, get it?

– Larry Paikin
Born: Hamilton, August 11, 1933

Artist: Percy Heath

The MJQ played at the Phillips Exeter Academy when I was a student there (1959-1962). Somewhere I have the program with four autographs – Percy, Milt, Connie, and John. Then many years later, the Heath Brothers came to Lewiston, Maine, to play at Bates College, so there was Percy once again. Great memories of both performances.

– Ted Walworth
Born: Washington DC, January 1, 1945

Artist: Ella Fitzgerald

Ella came to The Cave Supper Club several times here in Vancouver, Canada in the late 1960s. She traveled with her own rhythm section but always hired local horn players. The local recordings are swinging like mad.

– John Richard Stafford
Born: Phoenix, August 12, 1946

Artist: Dave Brubeck

My late father-in-law, Arthur Roth, MD, was the pediatrician to his children and a close friend of his for 50 years. I met Dave twice: once when he performed at Villa Montalvo, and again when he was honored at his graduate school alma mater, Mills College, with a Lifetime Achievement award. A very humble man, indeed.

– Jon Dunn
Born: London, May 9, 1944

Artist: Lionel Hampton

I was a semi-pro dancer as a kid, “The Little Man with a Thousand Feet.” I had a chance to dance in front of Lionel Hampton’s band at the Detroit Yacht Club when I was about 10 (1957). I met Lionel ahead of the gig backstage, and we discussed what tunes I wanted to dance to. Well, I knew many of his band recordings with Benny Goodman, and I already had a dance routine to “Avalon.” After the show, Hampton came over to me and clasped both of his hands around mine and thanked me profusely for carrying on a routine with his music.

In 1982, he performed with Benny Goodman at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. I was there managing Sippie Wallace. When I approached Hamp and asked if he remembered the gig at the Yacht Club, he said, “That was you that did the sliding and stair dancing?” “Yep,” and then we hugged.

– Ron Harwood
Born: Detroit, August 26, 1947

Artist: Frank Vignola

I met, spoke with and photographed a young Frank Vignola when he played along on stage with the late electric guitar icon Les Paul at The midtown downstairs, off Broadway near club Iridium. That evening the rainwater from outside did not flood the floor of the patrons area, which it had a history of doing on occasion.

Additionally, Frank accompanied the late senior statesman ( ~ 91 years old) Benny Waters from Queens New York, who lived not far from my home also in Queens. Benny was a blind saxophone player who had a deep baritone singing voice who amazed everyone with his chops on his C melody alto saxophone while accompanying Frank in the Jazz Standard.

I’m currently including these two important Jazz artists in my future book emphasizing the great musicians that for the last 30 plus years I’ve interviewed, written about for publication, and photographed extensively, with a heavy emphasis on those who shared their great artistry in many of the venues within the great borough of Queens NY.

– Norm Harris
Born: Harlem, August 28, 1947

Artist: Johnny Dodds

What I know of Johnny Dodds is what Sippie Wallace told me. She was better friends with Baby Dodds but spoke highly of Johnny as a friend of her brother, George W. Thomas. She mentioned how both the Dodds brothers used to visit George at his house on Franklin Street and jam. George, a prolific songwriter, would have the New Orleans gang of musicians try out his compositions.

– Ron Harwood
Born: Detroit, August 26, 1947

Artist: Al “Tootie” Heath

I met and enjoyed an evening of conversation with Percy after an appearance of the MJQ in St. Louis, and was invited to an after-party in E. St. Louis. I met Jimmy in Chicago at the annual Jazz Festival; we stayed at the same hotel and had a lengthy discussion. I always wanted to meet Al, as I admired his drumming style. I finally met him in St. Louis at a club called Spruill’s where he sat in with Willie Akins. He was married to a childhood friend of mine. We are the same age. I am deeply sorry to hear of his passing.

– Ra Khem Thoth
Born: Oklahoma City, September 25, 1935

Artist: Steve Gadd

In 2009, Steve was touring with Paul Bollenbach, Ronnie Cuber and Joey DeFrancesco as Steve Gadd & Friends. My late wife was related to Ronnie Cuber’s ex-wife and lifelong manager. When they played Yoshi’s in San Francisco we were invited to join them, including the break between sets. That day I had gone Dungeness crab fishing. We showed up that evening with fresh cooked crab for all to enjoy. I made some new friends that night.

– Jon Dunn
Born: London, May 9, 1944

Artist: Carmen McRae

Back in the 1960s I was a musician in NYC. I got on Si Zentner’s big band and we were booked at Basin St. East for a couple of weeks backing up Carmen McRae who had these exquisite arrangements. Carmen was at her peak of performance each night and it was a dream come true, Carmen being one of my all time favorite female singers. Each time I hear a recording of Carmen my thought immediately goes back to that gig with fond memories.

– Eli Dimeff
Born: Midland, March 21, 1940

Artist: Lester Young

Lester Young lived on 18th Street, Red lived on 15th Street, the King lived on 25th Street all on Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA.

– Warner Backstrom
Born: Los Angeles, August 13, 1936

Artist: Julie London

In April of 1969, I was a young soldier on orders to go to Vietnam and was visiting friends in Los Angeles, CA. Bobby Troup, Julie’s husband, was performing at a club called Shelly’s Manne Hole. Julie was there in the audience. During the break, I introduced myself to Bobby. We had a mutual friend in Saxophonist Gerry Mulligan. He introduced me to Julie and we shared a table during the later sets. At the end of the evening, they invited me to their home for a late dinner once they found out I was leaving for Vietnam in two more days. It was a wonderful evening and Julie was a great cook.

– Richard F. White
Born: Philadelphia, June 15, 1951

Artist: Muddy Waters

As a new immigrant to Canada in 1966, I was visiting Chicago with a friend. Looking over his friend’s used record store, Muddy Waters was pointed out to me, as he was diving with fierce concentration through the many Blues and Jazz LPs in the store. This was prior to my visit to Mama Theresa’s nightclub, the first Black club I’d ever been to (Junior Wells appearing), all wonderful memories. Some few years later I saw Muddy Waters as he appeared in one of the Yonge Street clubs, in Toronto.

– Diana Priestley
Born: Farnborough, January 23, 1943

Artist: Muddy Waters

I saw him perform with his band in the basement of the NYU student union in the 1970s. Otis Spann was playing a small electric keyboard mounted on a mic stand! The harp guy was white. Mr. Morganfield was the epitome of cool and the band was cooking!

– Jay Singer
Born: New York City, January 28, 1952

Artist: Melba Liston & Quincy Jones big band

In 1960-1962 I was in the band stationed at McGuire AFB NJ. Every Saturday I would take the bus into Philadelphia and head for 1720 Chestnut St. for a private trombone lesson with my teacher Dolanld S. Reinhardt. After my lesson I would get a bite to eat and then head for one of the jazz clubs to hear some good sounds by the best jazz bands of the time.

I got to see performances by the Miles/Trane quintet, the Miles/Trane/Cannonball/ JJ septet, the Cannonball and Nat Atterley quintet, Stan Getz/Roy Haines quintet and other prominent groups. One time it was Quincy Jones and his big band at Peps. The band had Phil Woods, Julius Watkins, Jerome Richardson, Jimmy Cleveland and other notable jazz guys. At the time I went, Melba Liston played the solo on Reverie as performed on the film clip shown here. I was especially excited and interested in her performance since I was a trombone player as well. I felt priveleged to witness all of these great innovators. Many happy memories.

– Eli Dimeff
Born: Midland, March 21, 1940

Artist: Michael Brecker

Michael and I were roommates (along with 2 others) in the residence at the Berklee Jazz School in Boston during the summer of 1967 where we attended a 7-week program intensive program, equivalent to first-term at the college, aimed at those who wouldn’t be attending Berklee or who wanted to try it out.

Michael was still living in Philadelphia with his parents at the time. He spent many hours listening to Coltrane’s A Love Supreme which had recently come out. We all spent hours dissecting Sergeant Pepper which was also released at the time. For my part, coming from Montreal, I discovered my first blues and R&B radio station, WILD which broadcast only during daylight hours, and the Club 47 in Cambridge where all the traveling blues and jazz giants stopped. And I was with Michael the day Coltrane died; a sad day in any sax player’s life!

– Sam Boskey
Born: Detroit, January 7, 1950

Artist: Michael Brecker

A sad note but memorable nonetheless: Micheal was with Joni Mitchell, with Pat Metheny, Jaco, Lyle Mays, Don Elias in the dream band. An outdoor venue in SE Wisconsin shortly before Jaco’s death. There was this stupid doo-wop band backing them up which played for an hour before showtime, then a half hour to set the dream band up, then they came on. 3 songs in, a torrential downpour ensued which forced the cancellation of the dream band’s performance during Jaco’s solo. Being a bassist, I was devastated. Still saddened today, I felt compelled to share. Thanks for the opportunity! Ger the bassist…

– Ger Bassman
Born: Oconomowoc, October 21, 1957

Artist: James Moody

I met Moody in Las Vegas. I was just leaving after a 4 year stent and he was just arriving on the scene. I went to his house and we played a bit together and then I asked him if I could play his tenor and mouthpiece. When I played it the mouthpiece was so open and the reed so hard that I actually could not play a note. All I could do was blow air with no sound. He had iron chops. No debate.

– Mike Vaccaro
Born: Inglewood, January 26, 1947

Artist: Cecil Taylor

During the Summer of ’62, I played piano in a quartet that played between the sets of the featured group – Cecil Taylor(p), Jimmy Lions(as), and Sonny Murray(d) – at a club called The Take Three in Greenwich Village. It was my first exposure to Avant Garde jazz, and, needless to say, I was blown away! Imagine!! A WHOLE SUMMER WITH CECIL TAYLOR! Plus, he would introduce the guys in the quartet to some top-named musicians who came to catch Cecil’s group.

– Jesse L. Lawson
Born: Washington, DC, January 30, 1940

Artist: Dizzy Gillespie

Dizzy had been in my father’s Boyd Raeburn’s Big Band for a time in the 40’s so I’d known him as a child. Many years later when I was in my 20’s in the 70’s, I met him again backstage at the Monterey Jazz Festival. For several years after that, I had the pleasure of hanging around with Dizzy when he’d come to San Francisco to play at the Great American Music Hall. I’d lost my dad many years earlier so I was always thrilled when Dizzy would share stories about my parents, Boyd and my mom, the vocalist Ginnie Powell. He was a very special person.

– Susan Raeburn
Born: New York City, December 1, 1950

Artist: Dick Hyman

Dick Hyman is a gentleman of the first order. He graciously accompanied Sippie Wallace on a number of shows, including Carnegie Hall. He treated Sippie as a star and fashioned his playing to suit her style, never one-upping her. Mr. Hyman is a true class act.

– Ron Harwood
Born: Detroit, August 26, 1947

Artist: Dick Hyman

I met Dick Hyman in Boca Raton, FL in 1998 shortly after the passing of my dad, Morris Primack who was one of the original owners of the Birdland nightclub in NY. I gave Dick a copy of the advertisement that Birdland placed in the papers for the club opening on December 15, 1949, in which Dick’s name appeared. He may be the only artist still alive from that date. He graciously played an encore for us of “Lullaby of Birdland”.

– Aurin Primack
Born: New York City, August 29, 1940

Artist: Flora Purim

In August 1976, a young girl named Sharon took me on our first date. We had dinner at a Basque restaurant in North Beach and then to a jazz club to hear Flora and her husband Airto. I married her.

– Jon Dunn
Born: London, May 9, 1994

Artist: Eartha Kitt

We saw Eartha Kitt at Manhattan’s “Blue Note” many years ago. She put on a stellar performance, before which we visited her in the dressing room. She was just the nicest person to talk to.

– Mitchell Dormont
Born: Manhattan, 1942

Artist: Count Basie

Basie and band would stay at the Washington, D.C. hotel where I worked during the early 1960s. Upon arrival, the first thing Basie did was contact the bell captain and arrange for the two of them to spend the next day at Laurel race track in the Maryland suburbs.

– Douglass Ferguson
Born: Wayne County, May 5, 1938

Artist: Jimmy Dorsey

I was attending an afternoon show at the Apollo Theater, and the band leader, Reuben Phillips, remembered Jimmy Dorsey who had died that week by playing a tune on the sax in an appropriate style. I always remember that musicians respect each other, much more than our current society.

– Robert Losick
Born: Weehawken, March 9, 1940

Artist: Count Basie

When I was in high school, during 1977 or 78, my high school jazz club, which consisted of about six or seven misfits got into my van, and we drove two hours to the University of North Carolina to go see what was then my very first concert ever – the Count Basie Orchestra. I remember two things about that concert. First of all, after the concert was over one of the guys in the jazz club convinced me to go backstage and see if we could talk with anybody in the band. I didn’t want to do that but we did, and Count Basie was there signing autographs and you know a bunch of white kids walked up to them and asked for his autograph. He was very kind gracious and patient with us.

The second thing I remember was the second song, the classic bass tune Lil Darlin. That tune has a series of arpeggios in Freddie Green‘s part, and the very first arpeggio that goes up the guitar ends on his high string. He broke that high E string. I remember being able to hear half the band crack up at Freddie Green‘s misfortune.

Freddie Green was a champ, and he was able to get all those arpeggios for the rest of the tune on only five strings, showing up the whole band, but I’ll tell you some of the fellas had a hard time reading their parts on that tune, I’ll never forget that night.

– John Chapin
Born: Norwalk, June 29, 1959

Artist: Dave Brubeck

Knew Dave from my days at WKCR and produced his concert at Columbia in the ’60s. Years later as a physician in New Haven, I ran into him at Yale Hospital. He told me he was being treated for an irregular heartbeat. I commented that he always had a crazy beat (think 5/4)!

– Barr Forman
Born: Philadelphia, April 8, 1943

Artist: Sonny Rollins

Emceed Jazz Show on WKCR(before Phil Schapp) in 1962. Sonny was playing the Village Gate and we went back to his rental after his last set for my interview. There was only one working electrical socket to plug in my 601 and it was in the bathroom, the interview took place in the dark, only lit by the street lights, but I remember his deep thoughts and observations on life, racism, music and family. He was intense but quite communicative.

– Barr Forman
Born: Philadelphia, April 8, 1943

Artist: Chris Anderson

I was very involved in Barry Harris’ NYC Jazz Workshop in the early 1980s. I sang in his jazz choir and helped produce a night of two shows at Town Hall. Chris Anderson visited the class a couple of times (as did many of Barry’s peers and friends in the Jazz world). I had two, I think, warm and long conversations with Chris. He was a sweetheart of a guy. It was a marvel to watch him play. His hands seemed to float above the keys, barely touching them. It was hard to tell (at least for this non-pianist) when they were touching. Yet the loveliest music came from the instrument. This is a lovely recording. Thanks for posting it.

– Howard Blu
Born: Bronx, 1947

Artist: Michel Legrand

In my senior year at Princeton, I began to date a Vassar girl and she had the vinyl album of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Let’s just say that the entire album had a magical effect at the time and even 50+ years later, that young lady a distant memory, the songs from Les Paraplui still make me choke up. I had no idea that Legrand was such a consummate pianist. Astonishing and impressive. And moving.

– Ted Walworth
Born: Washington DC, January 31, 1945

Artist: Philly Joe Jones

Every year Gretsch would give Joe a new set of drums in return for a photo and an endorsement. And every year Joe would pawn that new set at the 8th Ave Pawn Shop on 50th Street, and continue to play with the same old raggedy old set.

– John French
Born: New York, March 10, 1935

Artist: Thelonious Monk

I went with my brother to the Marquee Club to see the Thelonious Monk Quartet performing for the BBC TV Jazz625 program, probably around 1965 and sat right in front of Monk’s piano. So Monk comes out, sits at the piano, tries on different hats and settles on one, then the producer approaches Monk and asks Monk to play something for a sound check and Monk obliges (I can’t remember the composition but a Monk tune) and gets really stuck into a solo performance. After a few minutes of the solo, the producer approaches Monk and says, ‘That’ll do, thank you’ but Monk just ignores him and continues to play. The audience broke up, Monk was in his own world, it was beautiful to witness Monk in full creative flight, oblivious to everything except his music. What a genius!

– William Bowles
Born: London, July 23, 1945

Artist: Warren Vaché

In 1998, I was fortunate enough to have Warren play as a featured guest on my first CD. I remember the studio date like it was yesterday. We were recording live to two track and Warren came in and blew a solo on Just one of those things w the legendary Tex Arnold on piano-Steve La Spina on Bass and Joe Cacuzzo on drums. It’s as fresh as it ever was ….burning solo. He also played on But Beautiful and It Could Happen to You …beautiful! Never forget it 👍

– Ken Festa
Born: New York City, July 7, 1959

Artist: Henry Threadgill

I was fortunate to be the weekend bartender for Rashied Ali’s Greenwich Village club in the mid-1970s. Among the most memorable bands in what has become known as the New York Loft Era was the trio Air: Henry Threadgill, Steve McCall, and Fred Hopkins. They opened my ears to the nuances of sound. All three were generous and perceptive, but Henry seemed to go out of his way to make people feel that their questions and ideas were welcome and worthwhile. After multiple conversations I developed the courage to attempt to write about music. That lead to becoming a journalist and spending more than a decade developing some skills as a writer. I sure wish I had been able to hear the Society Situation Dance Band in person, but I have been fortunate to enjoy Very, Very Circus, Make a Move, and Zooid live.

– Michael Perri
Born: New York CIty, October 1950

Artist: David Amram

When I played Canadian folk festivals in the 70s and 80s Amram was the best musical spokesman, instrumtalist and entertainer that I had come across.

– Jay Sewall 
Born: Boston, December 19, 1942

Artist: Walter Page

The first jazz album I ever bought was a Buck Clayton Jam Session, The Huckle Buck and Robbin’s Nest. Water Page, Jo Jones, Freddie Green and Sir Charles Thompson made the rhythm section that really, really swung. I still have the original LP, plus the Mosaic CDs in a box set.

– Gil Gillivan
Born: Cincinnati, April 26, 1940

Artist: Dave McKenna

I had the great pleasure of touring Germany and Switzerland with Bill several years ago with my great friend Bernard Flegar and the UK reedman John Defferary. He was a most charming man – and having heard his marvellous (all-arranged) Dixieland band which was featured at Disneyland – I felt I was in hot company! But Bill was most welcoming (at one point early on he compared me to Muggsy Spanier!); we had great fun on the dates and Bill, of course, played superbly.

His son John has carried on his legacy with equal trombone skills and couldn’t have had a better teacher; the two of them must have had a great relationship. Bill however wasn’t a veteran by any means; he began playing in the early 1970s and had a career, I suppose, as a ‘latterday Revivalist’ espousing Dixieland when all around him was jazz-rock and fusion.But he was a superb tecnician who could easily have made a living in studio work had he wished. A few years ago I heard that he might have had a bout with cancer and was very sorry to hear the news – as well as to hear that he had fully recovered. I shall miss Bill (and his marvellous music) very much.

– Digby Fairweather
Born: UK, April 25, 1946

Artist: Keith Jarrett

There’s an iconic picture of Keith Jarrett crouching above his piano bench, leaning over the keyboard and almost into the piano. Seeing it today reminded me of the time I saw him in a solo performance at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, MN. As he stood there, holding a chord, the whole auditorium silent, my friend’s voice pager went off. After a fire alarm-like beep, a voice was heard: “[last name], where the f*%k are you?” Needless to say, the spell of the moment was broken and every head in the place turned our way in disgust. When Jarrett came out for his encore — to read a French poem from the 15th century (?) — many heads again turned our way when he paused before reading the last lines. Thankfully, the pager remained silent.

– Frank J Slepkas
Born: Milford, IA, July 11, 1960

Artist: Eubie Blake

My father, Howard “Stretch” Johnson (January 30, 1915 – May 26, 1986) performed on Broadway in “New Faces of 1936 and 1937” and danced at the Cotton Club as one of the “Ten Dancing Demons” (the male chorus to Duke Ellington’s show there with his big band), used to talk about Eubien Blake and Noble Sissle as the trail blazers to Black entertainment on Broadway and in the clubs. We owe them a tribute as jazz greats!

– Wendy Johnson
Born: New York City, February 3, 1943

Artist: James Harvey

The Renegade of the Creative Music Studio, Woodstock NY @ early 1980s Trombone, Piano, Drums, etc. Plays writes and thinks from the outside in. Creates Universes of sound. One of my greatest inspirations. Could and did play with all comers. He was a Mixed Martial Artist of Music. (Now in Vermont somewhere.)

Once while we were jamming, I stopped him mid-stream in a ferocious improvised solo and asked him to explain how he was doing what he was doing; He simply said…”THERE ARE ONLY TWELVE NOTES”

– George Masone
Born: Brooklyn, May 1954

Artist: Juius Hemphil

A beautiful sound and a courageous tone. While we lived and worked at the Creative Music Studio (School) in Woodstock NY. Julius was a gracious Teacher and performer who would stay and play for a week at a time. The experience taught me about the interweaving of Jazz and Avant-Garde. Never grows old…Always in the moment. Sound was nurtured as an organic expression of the Forest that surrounded us. Now History !

– George Masone
Born: Brooklyn NY, May 1954

Artist: Dave McKenna

Dave McKenna was a close friend of the great Woonsocket-born pianist-singer DARYL SHERMAN and their album together is a masterpiece. Dave (as most people know) was Bobby Hackett’s favourite pianist – a divine duo indeed!

-Digby Fairweather
Born: UK, April 25, 1946

Artist: Gary Peacock

My brother Lasse (1934-1992) was a jazz-pianist and composer and toured German jazz-clubs during eight months in 1956-57 with his combo (Rolf Hultqvist ts, Goran Petterson b and Sune Spangberg dr). Pretty soon Stu Hamer from the UK joined the band on trumpet. Goran told me the following when I wrote my book about brother Lasse: “At the club, there were always guys who wanted to “sit in” and play along. Not always very good musicians, but sometimes the exceptions appeared. Like for example Stu Hamer, trumpet player from England. Gary Peacock, who later became a world name as Keith Jarrett’s bass player, came to the club and got to play along. Goran remembers that Peacock played well, but a bit old-fashioned and cautious. Therefore, he was very surprised when he heard Gary again after many years and noted a huge development.”

-Mats Werner
Born: Stockholm, June 21, 1943

Artist: Keith Jarrett

In 2003, Keith was honored with the ABBA-founder Stickan Anderssons institute Polar Music Prize. The same year, my friend the Serbian artist Mirko Vucinic had an exhibition in Stockholm (which I had arranged) called Jazz Legends. It incorporated a fantastic portrait of Jarrett which Mirko and I decided to give to Jarrett as a recognition of what he had given Mirko and the Jazz World. It was arranged with the Prize organizer that I should hand the portrait over to Keith at the official press conference proceeding the Prize ceremony and this was done. Keith was very much pleasantly surprised and glad. 

-Mats Werner
Born: Stockholm, June 21, 1943

Artist: Tubby Hayes

Apart from hearing Tubby Hayes with his quintet with Ronnie Scott, my best memory of him was in 1964 at the Royal Festival Hall when he sat in with the Duke Ellington Band when Paul Gonsalves, the regular band tenor, was sick. The band blew up a storm that night, with Hayes playing some great solos. A great evening.

-David N
Born: England, March 3, 1944

Artist: Harry Edison

Harry Edison brought me my Royal portable typewriter from NY when I was a student at University of Chicago. My dad, Morris Primack, was one of the original owners of the Birdland nightclub in NY and he prevailed on “Sweets” to shlep it out to me in 1959. He was appearing at the Sutherland Lounge at 47th and Cottage Grove Ave which was near the University. When I showed up with a couple of friends to pick it up, he very graciously asked us to stay for the show which we of course did. The show was great, the crowd enjoyed his performance thoroughly and I will never forget this warm and gracious man.

-Aurin Primack
Born: Brooklyn, August 29, 1940

Artist: Chico Sesma

When I was about ten, I would go to bed, but as soon as the house was quiet, I would sneak into the living room and tune the radio to KDAY to listen to Chico Sesma. Chico used to bring the New York Latin musicians, once a year, to the Hollywood Palladium for a big extravaganza. I went a few times with the Lopez Family, the kids I knew from grammar school. We’d sit in the balcony watching the bands and the fantastic dancers on the floor beneath us.

– Bob Lee

Artist: Fred Braceful

I was really happy to see this video cause I played with Fred for a couple of years in the late 70ies. RIP dear friend – we had a great time!

-Mic Oechsner
Born: Munich 1956

Artist: Quincy Jones / Benny Golson

When I was fifteen, 1961, I played guitar in a Bronx park across the street from where I lived. On one occasion, a woman in a nursing uniform who was listening to our fledgling blues efforts, said I was pretty good and that I should meet her son. She said his name was Quincy Jones and she wrote out his address on West 96th St. I was a jazz fan already and knew who Quincy Jones was. A friend and me grabbed a D train and hastened down there. Sure enough, Quincy’s name was on the mail box but after several buzzes and no answer, we figured he was not home.

In reading the names, however, we saw Benny Golson. I knew who he was and had two of his Riverside records. We buzzed and he buzzed back. He met us at the door, invited us in, had us sit on his couch while he spoke about jazz and played us his music. He wife, Bobbi Golson served us cokes. We were there two hours and they could not have been more gracious, The cocktail napkins accompanying the cokes said B & B Golson. Wonderful afternoon, beautiful cat.

-Ezra Millstein
Born: New York City, June 17, 1945

Artist: Benny Golson

In 1996 I went to Rankin Chapel at Howard University to see Benny Golson who was appearing with the Howard U. Jazz Ensemble. Almost all the pews were occupied except for a few seats right in front. I wound up sitting next to former Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder and Benny Golson himself while I listened to the HUJE playing big band arrangements of Golson’s classics. In the next row back was Art Dawkins who’d been my sax instructor at Federal City College. Finally Benny took the stage and gave his own renditions of Killer Joe, Along Came Betty and Blues March. The HUJE created the Benny Golson Jazz Master Award and this was the initial presentation.

-Archer (Tony) Jordan
Born: New York City,   November 7, 1946

Artist: Antonio Carlos Jobim

60 years ago, in undergraduate school, I was studying Portuguese and listening to Brazilian music which helped me get A’s in all these language classes!

-Frank P
Born: Bronx,  December 13, 1943

Artist: Gary Burton

Up to being taken to see Gary Burton live the only other Vibe Player I had listened to was Milt Jackson of Modern Jazz Quartet. I quickly had his L’Ps as part of my first record collection. Of course then there was Gerry Gentry whose group I never missed seeing in Providence R.I. @ Allery. Music Choice Cable has been playing Burton recently which makes me stop and listen. Then Jazz On The Tube Birthday Feature. He is so good, Thanks Jazz On The Tube. Peace, Don Rhodes

-Don Rhodes
Born: Norfolk, February 19,1949

Artist: Gary Burton

In the late sixties, I was fortunate to see the Gary Burton quartet in a small club in Hollywood. Don’t remember the club, don’t remember the date, don’t remember a lot from those days. Do remember Larry Coryell, and Steve Swallow on bass, and sitting close enough to put my feet on the stage. I didn’t. Nothing like jazz in a small club. What a great show!

-Dan Leahy
Born: Port Chester, August 27, 1949

Waldorf Astoria Hotel Lounge
New Years Eve 1959

My first introduction to live swing/jazz music thanks to my Aunt who took me to NYC on the 20th Century Ltd to spend New Years week listening to Jazz and imbibing of the sights and sounds of the City for the first time for this 13 year old.

-Michael Salwitz
Born: Toledo,  November 23, 1976

Band: Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band

While a student at Oberlin College in the mid-70’s, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band did a concert in Finney Chapel there. Billy Harper sat on the far left (from the audience’s perspective) side of the stage, very close to the seats (pews, actually).

I’d never heard him live before, just on the TJML album “Consummation,” which included a rendition of “Fingers,” my favorite TJML tune that was played by my high school jazz band. The band played that tune at Oberlin, and just like on the album, BH must have done 6-7 choruses–rhythm changes, basically. Super intense, balls-to-the-wall playing.

He was just magnificent, and I think he recognized how much I was enjoying it, as he smiled at me when he sat down. I see the Cookers every time they come to Seattle just to hear him.

-Allen N Shabino
Born: Renton,  July 4, 1955

Artist: Gene Krupa

My dad and stepbrother and I saw Gene Krupa with a quartet in 1964 at the Venice Inn in Omaha. Helped start my interest in jazz😍🎷🎶

-Donald Jacobson
Born: Omaha,  March 7, 1947