https://store.bluenote.com/products/frank-sinatra-in-the-wee-small-hours-lp-tone-poet-vinyl-edition November 14

The Hendrix re-releases have been going on for decades.  I have seen a song released first as a 4-minute version, then years later the release of “the complete” 6-minute version of the recording, then came the release of the remastered version, etc.  Now I rarely buy Hendrix releases – but I did get the Band of Gypsys box set.

I got to see/hear her perform with Lou several times and she was great. Gone too soon. Mike Ledonne's post on Facebook: My dear friend, Akiko Tsuruga, has passed away. Her departure was much too soon and too sudden, and it's one of those moments that is very hard to wrap your head around.   She had been ill for the past year, but I had no idea that she was declining until yesterday, when I was informed she was in the hospital, and then this morning I saw that she had passed.   I met her over 30 years ago when she was still in high school in Japan. I was playing with Milt Jackson's Quartet in Osaka, and somebody set up an after-hours performance/master class for a bunch of young students at a place called "Subway".   At one point, this young lady raised her hand and asked me how I was able to accompany Milt Jackson when he played his out-of-tempo intros. I was surprised anyone there asked me anything because on the bandstand with me were great masters like Bags, Bob Cranshaw, and Mickey Roker. My answer was brief and to the point. I said "Listen". She would always remind me about that.   Fast forward years later, and I'm playing at Showman's with my old buddy, and great tenor player Jerry Weldon, and these 2 young Japanese ladies came in and sat right at the front of the bar. This was the night of Akiko's arrival in New York City. They were there all night, and I found out Akiko was an organ player, so I let her sit in and was impressed with all she already had together on the instrument.   We became lifelong friends and colleagues. I would go see her play with Lou Donaldson, and both Lou and Akiko would come to see me when I was at Smoke every Tuesday. She was always a very humble and sweet person with a big, beautiful smile.   She was also very close with Dr Lonnie Smith, who was a mentor to her. Together, we organized a birthday concert over Zoom for Dr Lonnie when he was ill and couldn't get out of bed. All of the great organ players in NYC and the surrounding areas went down to a performance space in New Jersey that had a Hammond Organ. Dan Kostelnik, a great player who lives in Jersey, brought a second Hammond so we could all play together with the different rhythm sections. It was a great day of organ music with at least 11 or 12 organ players playing for Lonnie as he watched from his home. He absolutely loved it, and we loved him. That is how the organ community is, and Akiko was the Queen of the community. She had so much energy in her playing, and the longer she lived here, the deeper her playing got. Her bass lines were right in the pocket, and it was wonderful to hear her growth and watch her ascend to becoming one of the best organ players in the world. She tirelessly schlepped her keyboard and gear from place to place for her gigs. When she played, you could see the joy on her face because she was living her dream. She married another old and dear friend of mine, the great trumpet player, Joe Magnarelli. We all thought Joe would be a lifelong bachelor, but Akiko changed all that. Mags fell in love with her, and they settled down together. To my ears, Akiko's playing got even deeper after that point. She was no longer trying to be an organ player like the greats; she was one of the greats.   We were both playing at the Vail Jazz festival a couple of years ago, and the picture is from our Gondola ride to the top of the mountain, where I wound up getting a pretty bad sunburn even though it wasn't that hot out. Renee Rosnes came with us and took that picture. We were like the 3 Musketeers that weekend, and we had so much fun that we tried to keep it going when we got home, but, of course, with busy schedules and life's responsibilities, we never did. I can't believe Akiko is gone. Of all the people I know, she was the last one I would have thought would get so ill that we would lose her, but that is the case, and I'm very sad to lose her. This one hurts. My heart goes out to Joe Magnarelli and to Akiko's family.   Never take life or friendships for granted because you never know if you'll see each other again!   R.I.P Akiko - you did GREAT!

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/us/lost-postcard-united-nations.html?unlocked_article_code=1.mE8.Z_xD.QUKHFaMgZIbs&smid=url-share

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