Artist: Louie Bellson

Saw Bellson’s big band in a small NY club called Fat Tuesdays in the earlier 1990s. There were almost as many band members as patrons. It was so tight I had my beer glass on the piano. Louie’s famous Jazz singing wife arrived but refused to sing in case she upstaged her husband.

– Bill Sheffield
Born: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Artist: Benny Goodman

As a little kid in the early 1950s, I appreciated the TV ad for racial harmony. My parents were Catholic and Jewish, marrying in 1936, the age of Nazism.

– Robert Losick
Born: Weehawken, New Jersey, March 9. 1940

Artist: Gene Cipriano

Let it be known that CIP was one of the good guys. Not only a great musician, he had a love for people, especially young musicians. It was a pleasure to sit next to him in a woodwind section.

– Mike Vaccaro
Born: Inglewood, California, January 26, 1947

Artist: Junior Wells

My unsung hero, Junior Wells, was one of the greatest blues “entertainers” and seemed always OK with being a sideman for many years. Harmonicas are rarely as flashy as ripping guitars, especially in the hands of Buddy Guy. Sippie Wallace did many gigs with the duo and even performed with them on the 1966 American Folk Blues Tour. We were all very close and supportive of each other. I miss Junior a lot.

– Ron Harwood
Born: Detroit, Michigan, August 26, 1947

Artist: John Lee Hooker

Imagine being 18, just in university, and becoming friends with John Lee! I had a pickup truck and a tape recorder and went to visit him in clubs on 12th Street in Detroit. More often, I made Johnny lunch at my house, and we played together for hours. In 1967, I began playing in JL’s band on local gigs. He told many stories about gigs he played and the players he knew. He was just a lot of fun to hang out with. We met many times outside of Detroit and while on the road. John Lee brought guitar boogie back to life and immortalized that style through the players (mostly white guys) he influenced.

– Ron Harwood
Born: Detroit, Michigan, August 26, 1947

Artist: Ronnie Cuber

My late wife’s cousin, Roberta, was Ronnie’s ex-wife, the mother of his children, and his lifelong manager. Twice she comped us to two shows while touring the Bay Area. We saw him at Yoshi’s SF with Steve Gadd and Friends and were invited to join them between sets, an amazing experience! The 2nd time, Ronnie appeared with Dr. John… it was the best live performance I’ve ever seen!

– Jon Dunn
Born: London, England, May 9, 1944

Club: London House Chicago

Growing up in Chicago in the 1960s, I was fortunate to frequent one of the premier jazz clubs in the country, The London House. Located at the corner of Wacker Drive and Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago, it offered curbside valet parking, fine dining, and top jazz artists.

On Nov. 27, 1965, I had dinner plans with my older sister and her husband. The restaurant had a strict liquor policy. Because I was not of legal drinking age (I was 18 at the time), they would not serve alcoholic drinks at our table even though my sister was over 21. Not sure, but maybe they thought she might pass me a sip! The food and service were excellent. I had Prime Rib.

Our table was close to the stage, and The Oscar Peterson Trio played that night. He played two sets.

On another occasion, we saw the Ramsey Lewis Trio perform. Actually, Ramsey Lewis performed quite often because Chicago was his hometown.

The London House closed in 1975 as the popularity of jazz was being overrun by rock ‘n’ roll.

Sadly, many years later, I remember walking downtown and seeing a Burger King occupying the same space that was once The London House.

The excitement, the food, the music, the laughter, and the applause were a faded memory.

– Ronald Nowakowski
Born: Chicago, Illinois, January 25, 1946

Artist: Ahmad Jamal

In January of 1988, my wife and I had the good fortune to hear Ahmad Jamal perform at an intimate storefront venue called The Iron Horse, Northampton, Mass. Northampton is a college town, home of Smith College, a private liberal arts women’s college. The Iron Horse’s interior is narrow but deep, with small tables on the main floor and a row of tables on a narrow balcony lining one side. In the 1980s, jazz was a staple at The Iron Horse.

We got a table up front, on the main floor right across from the piano. It was like Ahmad Jamal was playing in our living room. What a thrill!

Like all great jazz pianists (Oscar Peterson, Ramsey Lewis, or Thelonious Monk), Ahmad Jamal has a distinct style with abrupt tempo shifts and masterful ways to introduce standard songs.

It was an evening we will never forget.

– Ronald Nowakowski
Born: Chicago, Illinois, January 25, 1946

Artist: Lucky Thompson

It’s my very first night in NYC. It’s 1956 or ’57. I’m a college student in love with jazz. At the end of the evening, I find myself at Cafe Bohemia, 15 Barrow Street in the Village. On the bandstand: Papa Jo Jones, Tommy Potter, a young Dick Katz, and Lucky Thompson. It was his sound that captured me. He was the first great saxophone player I’d heard live, and I’ve never forgotten that sound. To hear that sound, listen to his playing on Miles’ Walkin’, recorded around that time. To my ears, even in that very fast company, Miles, J.J. Johnson, Horace Silver, Lucky’s solos are the most distinctive and memorable. He was a great player, one of the very best of his time.

– Bob Schwartz
Born: Boston, Massachusetts, April 10, 1938

Artist: Peter Nero

Perhaps not considered a straight jazz pianist, Peter Nero combined jazz, classical, and pop music. I saw him perform at the University of Illinois Assembly Hall on Nov. 19, 1965. I sat close to the stage.

What struck me was his lightning-fast hands. He played for 1 hour and 45 minutes non-stop. He was only 31 yrs. old at the time. As he played, his left foot danced wildly on the stage floor to the rhythm of his music. After one fast piece, he paused to catch his breath and said, “I’m not sure what my left hand was doing from my right!”

– Ronald Nowakowski
Born: Chicago, Illinois, January 25, 1946

Artist: Michel Petrucciani

Your recent post of Michel Petrucciani playing ‘Take the A Train’ sent me down Memory Lane with a bang.

It sent me back to 13 February 1994 at Manchester’s (UK) Royal Exchange Theatre to a solo piano concert by Michel Petrucciani. To see him being carried onto the stage and then going on to show why the piano is the greatest of all instruments was both heart-wrenching and heartwarming at the same time. It was a magnificent performance from Michel.

It is exceedingly difficult to find the right words to describe how wonderful the concert was. I was privileged to be present that night, and I am forever grateful.

– Bernard McAlinden
Born: Salford, England

Artist: Tony Williams

In January 1981, I was traveling through the Bay Area, staying with a guitarist friend also from the UK, who worked part time as Tony Williams’ PA. Tony came to the house one evening, and the three of us spent several hours smoking weed and listening to Charlie Parker records. What I remember is how my ears got such a great workout, listening with and through Tony’s remarkable sensibility. “Did you hear that?” “Did you catch that?” “Wait for this!” I got an education just listening with him.

– Caitriona Reed
Born: United Kingdom, 1949

Artist: Jerry Mulligan

My introduction to jazz was through my older brother, Bob. It was 1958, and he had purchased the LP of the Jerry Mulligan Combo from the soundtrack of the movie, ” I want to live!” He played it constantly on the Zenith hi-fi in our living room. I was a young teenager then. While my peers were listening tho rock ‘n roll, I was listening to Jerry Mulligan. I really came to love jazz because of that album.

Years later in 1982, I saw Jerry Mulligan perform at the Newport Jazz Festival in Newport RI. Then about a year after that, Jerry Mulligan had just finished a concert in Springfield Mass, when a small group of his fans (I, included) managed to track him to a lower level of the civic center. He was appreciative and gracious, and took out his baritone sax and played a few tunes for us.

A few years before my brother died, I surprised him with the original album I had kept. The album that introduced me to a lifetime appreciation of jazz.

– Ron Nowakowski
Born: Chicago, Illinois, January 25, 1946

Artist: Benny Goodman

During my late teen years, I had a girlfriend in Stamford, CT. I lived next door in New Canaan. She played the flute and I played the bassoon. From time to time, she would organize and gather friends to play chamber music at her home. On one occasion, we were missing an oboe. A girl named Rachel Goodman was playing the piano. She said that maybe her father could come over and play that part. So later on that day, Benny Goodman dropped in and played the oboe part on his clarinet, transposing effortlessly. It was quite an afternoon.

– Edward Walworth
Born: Washington, DC, January 30, 1945

Artist: Sonny Rollins

I saw Sonny Rollins on two occasions. The first time was in the 1970s at a club in New York. New York is where I was born and raised. I don’t recall the name of the club because it was so long ago, but I think it was the Blue Note in Midtown Manhattan. It was a weeknight, or maybe a Friday. There were only about a dozen people or so in the club. He really put on a GREAT show for the few people in attendance.

Then I saw him, I guess before 2012, because that is when they say he retired. I am seventy-five years old, so some of these years can get mixed up, and I can’t recall the exact year. However, I do know that it was between 2005 and 2012. Anyway, I took my students from the University of Maryland, Nyumburu Cultural Center Jazz Club to the Kennedy Center. It was a much different atmosphere, and the Kennedy Center was packed. The students loved it, and that concert really helped me to connect with my students.

I am an amateur saxophonist who is still trying to improvise and play this GREAT music. Sonny Rollins is truly one of my heroes, and we will miss him, but fortunately, we had Sonny and his music for 95 years. What more can we ask for?

– Ronald Zeigler, Ph.D.
Born: Manhattan, New York, September 14

Artist: Eldee Young

Met him when he and Redd were with Ramsey Lewis back in the 70-80’s in Monterey, Ca. The Colony Club was my gig for years on weekends, and when we had coffee on his break, he ordered a new bow quiver for my bass from friend Candy Finch or another bassman in NY. I still use it today and play a few of both trios’ tunes. Good man! Thx, Nick Williams

– Nicklas Williams
Born: Seattle, Washington, April 2, 1941

Artists: Darius Brubeck and Joanne Woodward

Mount Holyoke College, So. Hadley, Mass. May 7, 1975. I had the opportunity to attend a performance called “Jazz-Poetry-Jazz” at Chapin Auditorium on campus. Tickets were $2.00.

Actress Joanne Woodward read poetry and The Darius Brubeck Ensemble played jazz improvisations between readings. The Ensemble included Darius’ brothers, Chris on trombone and Danny on drums. Darius played electric piano. He was only 28 yrs. old at the time. They are the sons of jazz pianist Dave Brubeck.

On stage, Joanne Woodward sat on a tall stool reading various works of poetry, while the Darius Ensemble played jazz compositions. It was a unique combination of two art forms.

– Ronald Nowakowski
Born: Chicago, Illinois, January 25, 1946

Artist: Howlin’ Wolf

I was grateful that the Wolf performed after Sippie Wallace on several stages. No one could follow him; there is rarely a performer in Blues history with his intensity. I can think of no one left alive as dynamic as the Wolf. As for his personality, well, he loved to laugh and make jokes until he had a point to make. Then he could be scary.

– Ronald Paul Harwood
Born: Detroit, Michigan, August 26, 1947

Artist: Eubie Blake

Richard Carlin and I wrote a biography of Eubie Blake titled Eubie Blake: Rags, Rhythm, and Race.

– Ken Bloom
Born: Maryland, November 28, 1949

Artist: Ralph Peterson, Jr

I personally used to put my fingers in my ears as a kid when he was little beating those drums. He would move his mouth just like my uncle 🤣🤣 Rest easy, Choochie, my lil cousin! We miss you 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🥰

– Mitzi Henry
Born: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1954

Artist: Chuck Andrus

I met Chuck Andrus in the late spring of 1957, when he was between gigs at Virginia Beach. The previous winter he had played at the Stork Club in New York. One day, as he told me, some friends insisted he go to the movies with them. He didn’t know it, but the movie was The Wrong Man, starring Henry Fonda. (After he told me, I went to see the movie myself, and it was as he described.)

The movie opened with Fonda as the bass player at the Stork Club, as Chuck later was, packing his bass, as Chuck did, walking down the same street to the same subway station, riding out to Queens on the same subway, getting off at the same stop and walking down the same block, all in the wee hours of the dark night, as Chuck did every night!

I had visited Chuck at his apartment in Queens and it was indeed only a couple of buildings away from the apartment in the movie! The movie was a real-life story about a bass player, Manny Balestrero, who had been playing at the Stork Club when he got arrested. All Chuck knew was that it scared the hell out of him.

Chuck was a journeyman jazz musician who played for many of the big bands but was never known as a solo artist. He had been raised in Springfield, Mass, along with a small group of jazz musicians, the best known of whom was Phil Woods.

– John French
Born: New York City, New York, October 3, 1935

Artist: Stevie Wonder

For those those of us old enough to remember, Stevie Wonder started out in Jazz and then crossed over to R&B and rock and everything else. His legendary song Fingertips is his crossover song.

– Dr Barker
Born: Pennsylvania, March 15, 1945

Artist: Tom Anastas

Tom Anastas is on baritone and I played with him at the Navy School of Music in 1962 when we were both there in the Army. Carmen Leggio, I believe, is the tenor player next to Jackie Stevens. Carmen played lead alto on Buddy Rich’s band with myself and Pat LaBarbera around 1970 or ’71. Not sure of the tenor player on the extreme right, I have forgotten, but that is not Sal.

– Don Englert
Born: Detroit, Michigan, July 16, 1940

Artist: Diamond Jim Greene

Jim Greene is a good friend of mine that unfortunately I have not seen in many years. Jim is a great traditional Blues guitarist and artist. I had the pleasure of producing and playing on one of his albums named “Snapshots”. We were very lucky to bring in some of Chicago’s Blues royalty like Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Bob Stroger. We even had a bagpiper playing the outro to a song that honored veterans. It was a wonderful project and one of my favorite productions. If you ever get a chance to grab a copy, it is well worth a solid listen.

– Dave Katzman
Born: Chicago, Illinois, August 5, 1956

Festival: Newport Jazz Festival August 23, 1981, Newport, RI.

Living in Springfield, Mass at that time, I drove with friends to Newport, RI on a Sunday in August to attend the Newport Jazz Festival. The concert had stages set up at the base of historic Fort Adams. Concert-goers spread blankets on the lawn in front of the stages. The day got progressively hot. There was no shade and many attendees folded newspapers into make-shift sun hats. Behind where everyone sat was beautiful Newport harbor. Sailboats and large yachts slowly cruised close to shore. Those onboard could listen to the performers over the large speaker systems.

It was a great line up that day: Nancy Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie Quartet with guest Milt Jackson on vibes, Dave Brubeck Quartet (not sure who played the baritone sax), and the lively Lionel Hampton on vibes with his all-star band.

What an opportunity to see these legends all on one day in a picturesque setting!

– Ronald Nowakowski
Born: Chicago, Illinois, January 25, 1946

Artist: Otis Spann

Otis was a dear friend and sweet man. Many piano players copied his style, seldom to the perfection we hear from Mr. Spann.

– Ron H.
Born: Detroit, Michigan, August 26, 1947

Artist: Son House

Simply put, my life studying the blues began in 1964 when Dick Waterman brought Son to perform at Wayne State University. I remember the emotions to this day.

– Ron H.
Born: Detroit, Michigan, August 26, 1947

Artist:  Toots Thielemans

Jaco introduced me to Toots when we worked together during his Weather Report years, circa 1977–78, and Big Band album around 1980. I heard Toots was playing at Pasquale’s in 1981 and took my wife to see the show. He was kind enough to invite us to the green room after the show. Such a gentleman and distinctive player.

– Paul Bruno
Born: California, November

Artist: Ella Fitzgerald

My mother was a torch song singer with the Gene Beecher orchestra in the late 30’s. Her name was Annette Webber. She was nicknamed, Annette the teacher’s pet, and Gene was, Gene the music teacher. But back to Ella.

My mother thought that Ella was the most wonderful teacher of all time. I can remember countless times we would listen to Ella Fitzgerald and my mother would attempt to scat with her and encourage me, as a small child, to try to emulate Ella also. I have listened to Jazz and Ella throughout my life because of this.

Fast forward 15 yrs and I was at Red Rocks amphitheater expecting to see Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, but I was there the wrong night and Ella was the performer and gave a concert I will never forget. At 70 years old I decided to revisit my singing with my mother. Jazz and Ella Fitzgerald are my favorite things to sing. Summertime is my theme song.

Although I never had the chance to meet her, Ella has had a profound influence on my singing life which is one of the great joys in my life. Thank you for starting and maintaining this site. I listen to almost every post you produce.

– Barry Lichterman
Born: Memphis, Tennessee, October 17, 1954

Artist: Ella Fitzgerald

I saw Ella live more times than any other musician. My son got so tired of my playing her CDs in the car that he virtually begged me to stop. I did.

– Mitch D.
Born: New York City, New York, September 18

Artist: Ella Fitzgerald

I saw Ella live in Devon, PA back in the 1980s. She was there with a piano trio behind her and it was great! However, on the same night Oscar Peterson was there with his group and he had Joe Pass with him. I met Oscar’s drummer that night during the intermission, Bobby Durham. They played first and afterward Ella came out with her group.

What made it even more special was that later in her performance, Joe Pass came out to do some duets with her! They had recorded a number of albums together doing the duo format.

In my memory, that night was the greatest concert I have ever enjoyed in my life.

– Pasquale Pratico
Born: Trenton, New Jersey, August 31, 1955

Artist: Jimmy Haslip

This is a very simple message. I gave Jimmy Haslip some private bass lessons at my parents home in Huntington Station, Long Island, NY. This was before he studied with Jaco Pastorius. Jimmy had a very mature and musical outlook and it is a pleasure to hear from him on occasion. I believe he is one of the most spiritual players I have ever had the pleasure to know.

– Ron Smith
Born: Huntington, Long Island, December 8, 1947

Artist: Stan Getz

August 17, 1964, Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie, Illinois. I saw Stan Getz with Astrud Gilberto at a free concert sponsored by the shopping center. Thousands of folding chairs were set up outdoors in a parking lot. When Stan Getz began playing, there were noisy concert-goers in the front rows. They were so disruptive, Stan had to stop playing. Once the audience got quiet, the performance continued. Astrud Gilberto sang “The Girl from Ipanema,” the hit Bossa Nova song of the sixties. She sang in a soft, whispery voice. Stan’s solo was great. Years later (1983?), I saw Stan at a small club in Boston called Lulu White. Between sets, I gave him a “thumbs-up.”

– Ronald Nowakowski
Born: Chicago, Illinois, January 25, 1946

Artist: Herbie Mann

Worked with Herbie ’70-’72 (bass) with the great Pat Rebillot on piano, who also played with Sonny Rollins (he’s in Sonny’s book), and whom you still don’t recognize, he’ll be 91 Apr 21. Also Sonny Sharrock and Fathead Newman, and Potato Valdez, concerts all over the country plus Montreux, PR, and Newport, what a great band to play and hang with. Loved every minute!

– Andy Muson
Born: New York, New York, January 4, 1945

Artist: Jimmy Garrison

I saw and heard Jimmy Garrison with John Coltrane on December 26, 1966, at the Village Theater in Manhattan. The Ornette Coleman trio was on the same bill. It was 60 years ago, and I still remember how wonderful they all were.

– Philip Davis
Born: Brooklyn, New York, April 9, 1946

Artist: Bud Freeman

I heard Bud in a theatre in Glasgow in 1976 with Scottish musicians. After the first set he said, “And now we shall have a short and very alcoholic intermission.” Me and my friends also met Bud in the Dobell Record Shop in London in the 60s the day after we had bought one of his records in that store.

– Anders Bohn
Born: Oslo, Norway, April 2 1948

Artist: JB Hutto

I saw him dozens of times in Boston. My favorite memories are of him literally walking on tables and the bar while playing. Then he would hand the guitar to a lucky fan! I got it once, in NH.

– Karen Nugent
Born: Waltham City, Massachusetts, May 28, 1955

Artist: Herbie Hancock

“Back in the day”….. the early 70s, I used to frequent the Jazz Workshop in Boston. You could pay admission and then sit in there all night listening to all the sets. It was amazing and wonderful. One evening, as I was leaving at the end of the night, Herbie Hancock and his band were leaving at the same time. I smiled to signal my thanks, and he told me I had a beautiful smile. I still remember that to this day, decades later. It was such an honor. He had played Maiden Voyage that night. Still as stellar as back then!

– Antigone
Born: New York City, New York, December 3

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