http://www.modbee.com/local/story/11...12168131c.html
Not sure how many people in my area knew he was in their area, or even that he was still alive. He used to sit in with house bands at some of the jazz houses in the area and I was fortunate to see him a few times before his health declined rapidly the last few years. Being someone who was a member of Count Basie's band back
*during World War II* it was quite a treat for someone my age to be able to see him perform. His daughter is a damned fine jazz vocalist in her own right and he would often sit in with bands at her gigs or play outright.
One thing that was always amazing was how easily it was for him to just pick-up and go right along with any tune, even though his vision/speech/hearing had grown quite poor. You could definately see the greatness and the years and years of playing under those fingers when he played.
