John Hicks RIP

[jeffsjazz]

RIP Jazz man

After seeing and sharing many moments,dinners with John thanks to his association with Bobby Watson,may I tell this story.

I once hosted John here in southern Italy at a Jazz festival about 6 years ago.He was coming from NY to perform and missed his connecting flight in Zurich (I think),meanwhile the crowd was getting anxious as the warm up act overplayed.I was in constant contact with the driver as to his whereabouts,trying to calm the agitated crowd.Basically he got off a stage in NYC and went straight to the airport and straight to our stage,no hotel,no shower!

When he arrived at the venue,I was there to open the van door.I asked John how are you and what do you need? His warm,tired face looked at me thankfully a said, "Man Jeff,I'm just tryin' to get to the bandstand,once I get there it will be alright.I'd like some red wine (we were in Italy) and some water".

Water and wine,like Jesus I said-you got it.

After changing his clothes and having a few sips of each,he hit the stage-looking quite dapper on the warm summer night.I told the crowd of his trevails,stating that he had come from the NYC stage to this one directly."So please give a huge hand for our Jazz Warrior-John Hicks"!!

He began the concert playing a 5 min. absolutely beautiful,mesmerizing solo,he then looked up and "hooked" up with the local rhythm section (who he had not prior) and had been waiting for him since long before his arrival on stage,and together the trio locked in and played a fantastic concert!!

That is one of my best memories of John Hicks,total Jazz pro,gentleman,with a wonderful heart !

Thankyou John,for all your years in the Jazz Service,your music will be felt and remembered.

RIP, Dr. Jeff

[slide_advantage_redoux]

RIP Jazz man

After seeing and sharing many moments,dinners with John thanks to his association with Bobby Watson,may I tell this story.

I once hosted John here in southern Italy at a Jazz festival about 6 years ago.He was coming from NY to perform and missed his connecting flight in Zurich (I think),meanwhile the crowd was getting anxious as the warm up act overplayed.I was in constant contact with the driver as to his whereabouts,trying to calm the agitated crowd.Basically he got off a stage in NYC and went straight to the airport and straight to our stage,no hotel,no shower!

When he arrived at the venue,I was there to open the van door.I asked John how are you and what do you need? His warm,tired face looked at me thankfully a said, "Man Jeff,I'm just tryin' to get to the bandstand,once I get there it will be alright.I'd like some red wine (we were in Italy) and some water".

Water and wine,like Jesus I said-you got it.

After changing his clothes and having a few sips of each,he hit the stage-looking quite dapper on the warm summer night.I told the crowd of his trevails,stating that he had come from the NYC stage to this one directly."So please give a huge hand for our Jazz Warrior-John Hicks"!!

He began the concert playing a 5 min. absolutely beautiful,mesmerizing solo,he then looked up and "hooked" up with the local rhythm section (who he had not prior) and had been waiting for him since long before his arrival on stage,and together the trio locked in and played a fantastic concert!!

That is one of my best memories of John Hicks,total Jazz pro,gentleman,with a wonderful heart !

Tnanks for a beautiful story, Jeff!

Thankyou John,for all your years in the Jazz Service,your music will be felt and remembered.

RIP, Dr. Jeff

[Dan Gould]

Thanks very much, fasstrack, for the report of John's funeral. Very moving.