Unexpected encounters with musicians

[Chuck Nessa]

In the late ‘70s my phone rang and it was Andrew Hill – I was astonished because we’d never met. He said he was back in Chicago because his mother was failing and he wanted to be there for her. He said he needed a “night out” and wanted to find some musician friends performing and he figured I was the guy to do that. A couple nights later I picked him up at his mother’s house and took him to Roberts Show Lounge to catch Jodie Christian and later the Enterprise Lounge to hear Von Freeman and John Young. A great time was had by all. The next morning Andrew was on the phone to say his mother passed while we were out and to thank me for making it all so easy.

[Ken Dryden]

The most unexpected encounter for me was when my wife and I were visiting NYC and taking in a Broadway revival of Oklahoma! As we took our seats, I noticed a man who looked like Dick Hyman bent over talking to someone seated a few rows up. When he stood up, I realized that it was Dick Hyman and he and his wife were seated directly in front of front of our seats. I greeted him, we had met previously and I had interviewed him a time or two. We learned a lot about theater, as he pointed out that the orchestra was watching the conductor on three video screens at the back of the theater. We had a good chat during intermission and afterwards, as well.