Hanging Out with Jazz Giants

Budd and I had the incredible good fortune of going to see Dr. Lonnie Smith and his trio last night as part of Duke University's Soul Power program.  Having been a longtime fan and friend of Dr. Lonnie, we were able to get backstage and hang out in the Green Room. 
Budd Wilkins and Dr. Lonnie Smith

Lou Donaldson and me!

Dr. Lonnie Smith, is, of course, my musical idol, as I've indicated in an earlier post.   But along with him, he has played for many, many years with alto sax legend and Badin, NC native Lou Donaldson, and Budd and I had the chance to meet and talk with Mr. Donaldson, as well as tenor sax great David "Fathead" Newman and jazz virtuoso guitarist Peter Bernstein.  We were simply in awe and starstruck the whole time (at least I was).  It's so rare to have access to your favorite musicians, but jazz musicians are so accesible and so kind to their fans. 
Jazz Giant Lou Donaldson warming up before the show

To say the show was magnificent is such an understatement.  The performers had young people dancing in front of the stage, and I nearly gave myself whiplash, I was so excited.  I have to give proper respect to drummer Herlin Riley, who could stand up to the best drummers in jazz, living or dead, and to Peter Bernstein, a quintessential guitarist.  The nearly 3 hour set was soulful, tight and a musical ambrosia for the ears.  

After the show, we were blessed enough by the kind folks at Duke University to go back to the Green Room and hang again with our idols.  I'm posting some photos below.  
Dr. Lonnie Smith and me

Nearly all the way home, I cried tears of joy.  Just to be there, listening to the band banter back and forth, tell old stories, to be able to ask Lou Donaldson, "What made you write Alligator Boogaloo?" while he ate his dinner - it was nothing short of magical.  Mr. Donaldson is a jazz legend who played with everyone from Ellington to Charlie Parker.  He's been around the world and back and he knows where it's at.  He personifies the great things about jazz, especially when he told the audience, "This is your music; American music".  It was a privilege and an honor to meet Mr. Donaldson.

And every time I am lucky enough to be in the presence of Dr. Lonnie Smith ranks with the greatest moments of my life.  Not only is he THE consummate Hammond B3 performer, he is one hell of a nice guy.  And I love him dearly.  His music changed my life in dramatic ways, and for that, I will always be grateful, be a fan and be an evangelist for his music.   All these gentlemen, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, David Fathead Newman, Houston Person, Peter Bernstein and Herlin Riley, are jazz giants, and last night's performance was clearly the best jazz concert I've ever witnessed.  I'm still star-struck today.   I know Budd's going to post about this and will probably write a lot more eloquently than me.  But I'm still star-struck today.

Jazz Guitar Great Peter Bernstein and me 

Jazz Giant David "Fathead" Newman and me 

Budd & Tina Wilkins with Dr. Lonnie Smith 

Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman and Houston Preston 

Billy's post about the guitar-playing dog reminded me of my friend Mat Kamler, creator of Litterbox, the world's greatest cat heavy metal band.  Mat's site, EyeEnvision, is a flash cartoon animation site featuring original webtoons by Mat.  Mat photographed 3 of his 5 cats and recorded their meowing and set them to music.  The first time I ever saw a Litterbox video, I nearly busted a gut, and my cat (at the time) started hissing in time.  Here's a link to my personal favorite, Four on the Floor.  Mat has seven Litterbox videos on his site, as well as other funny flash animations.  Really a talented (and nice) guy.  Definitely worth a look and a laugh, and a donation to Mat.  Here's a link to Mat's MySpace site as well.  More Litterbox Videos Please!  Rock on, Mat!

My wonderful only sister, Maria C. Taylor, is a budding song lyricist.  Here is the first of several of her works that I'll be posting here.  If you want to set this to music and/or record this, contact me at jazzzytina (AT) yahoo.com.

Near and Miss

© by Maria C. Taylor

My heart broke in two today
Learning you were so far away.
I had tried to reach out to you again
In hopes of our love affair, to begin.

But the war's taken you even farther away
Now, for your safety, I must pray.
Besides just praying for your love,
And beg for safe keeping from Heaven above.

Chorus:
~
When, my love, will we ever come together,
And be as one, forever and ever,
To finally touch and hold and kiss
And not be kept apart by life's game of "Near and Miss"
~

I wonder why it's taking forever
For you and I to come together
I wonder what lessons first we must learn
Before we are two, for you, desperately, I yearn.

Every time I feel we come close in the universe,
Something happens and I feel we're cursed.
I feel at times we are star-crossed lovers,
But I know in my heart, we're not meant to be with others.

I pray for your safety and peace of mind
In that dangerous land that you I now find
And pray God keeps you out of harm's way
And brings us together, finally and forever, someday.

(repeat chorus)