ValerieB

my thanks and appreciation go out to both of these wonderful artists. and one of the things they have in common, aside from their talent, is their interest, devotion and commitment to educating youngsters. Bravo! Happy, Healthy Birthday to Esperanza and Wynton, and many more to come.

Happy, Healthy Birthday, Chris. and a toast to many more.

Went Sunday to the last day of a magnificent exhibit at the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery at Scripps College: "African American Visions: Selections from the Samella Lewis Collections". included in this exhibit were many fabulous pieces by Dr. Lewis, as well as astounding art pieces and sculptures from legendary geniuses like John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Faith Ringgold, Carrie Mae Weems, Betye Saar, Alison Saar, John T. Biggers, et al. an additional treat were some wonderful photographs (most by Herman Leonard) of Duke, Ella, Dexter and Billie. Dr. Lewis spoke and there was an interpretive dance and poem readings which were inspired by Dr. Lewis's work. it was, to say the least, an enriching and exciting day.

i appreciate, respect and admire Wynton. however, he is not among my favorite trumpet players. i would prefer Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Roy Hargrove and many others. but Wynton has done so much for jazz, especially in educating youngsters. and he is constantly giving praise and recognition to those who came before him. and i personally know of how generous he has been, without any fanfare or publicity, in helping other musicians in need. he is a good man which is, ironically, more than i could say about some of my favorite players!

very tasty line-up, for sure!!

and Bennie studied with Walter as well.

Walter Bishop, Jr. studied with Spud in the '70s, as have many other L.A. musicians. Walter also wrote a book on "The Study in Fourths". it is now available on the internet. strangely, it's offered for free from a guy who is selling his own music system!

i was surprised that 60 Minutes mentioned nothing about Avant and the missing royalties. i don't believe the above is a fair statement. he asked the obvious questions of Clarence, who was extremely rude and uncooperative.

the best of birthdays to you, Marcello!

i was surprised that 60 Minutes mentioned nothing about Avant and the missing royalties.

you are absolutely correct, Dan. Shatner has a reputation and has had it for many years of being a p - - - k!!!! he is so full of himself. not a nice person at all. his readings were terrible!! and he had to know it.

i enjoyed the first set that was streamed. JALC is doing an amazing thing in bringing jazz in Doha to the world!!

i'm voting for pianists Benny Green and Eric Reed.

had the great pleasure of watching the entire Fri. night concert and some of Sat.'s as well. he is still a gem and still a master. and to top it all off, he's the sweetest, nicest, most humble guy. hope he sticks around for a good while longer.

it's guaranteed that interviewing Bobby will make for a very interesting show!!

i remember when Joe Williams was "presenting" Nicole. i got to see her at the Jazz Bakery in L.A. she was wonderful.

Not for me it isn't. well, i haven't been to LV in many a moon and have no intention of doing so for various and sundry reasons, so it really doesn't affect me, if that's what you intimating.

absolutely none, as far as i know. and there haven't been any there for a very long time. it's a pathetic state of affairs.

I knew about Wayne's wife. What's the Ford connection? i was about to ask that myself. i don't get the "connection". the TWA tragedy has its anniversary in July.

i'm sorry to hear this news. i believe Dorothy was the one that Julius LaRosa was in love with and the reason he got fired from the Godfrey show.

that is real interesting. thanks. birthday blessings go out to The Man!!

you almost always provide me with a good laugh or chuckle, at the least!!

very sad. R.I.P., Michael.

i just saw Gregoire on Wed. night at the Bowl. he was wonderful and i love him more than ever. got to talk with him after the show but have yet to get his new cd, which i'm sure is excellent.

another extremely inappropriate and mean-spirited post from Mr. Lowe. and what a classless, disrespectful thing to do on a R.I.P. thread.