I’m starting to uncover some of the archives I’ve accumulated over the years. Also discovering during my seemingly nomadic life I’ve lost so many rolls of film, showbills and autographs. But I’ve managed to hold on to a few. These are some of the great horn players I’ve had the privilege of meeting.

**Sonny Rollins**

*Orchestra Hall,* Detroit (1998)

I’ve seen Sonny Rollins a few times. This particular performance was at Orchestra Hall, a terrific venue to see any performance as the acoustics are stunning. The band for this performance was Stephen Scott on piano, Cliffords Anderson trombone, the great Bob Cranshaw on bass and Perry Wilson drums. There was a percussionist, Victory Yuen who really added beautiful textures. Sonny played songs from Global Warming, which was at the time his latest release. His playing was, of course, virtuosic, stream-of-consciousness at the highest level.

After the show I left, thinking I would take a chance at an autograph. Orchestra Hall is quite cavernous and nearly impossible to approach someone anywhere near the stage. To my surprise, while standing alone outside, Sonny Rollins walked out and approached an awaiting black car. I nervously approached him and asked him to sign the evening’s showbill, which he graciously agreed to do. I told him I loved the show. He asked me what I had liked the best, and if I remember I said I loved Island Lady, and thought his cadenza was the highlight of the night. He said ‘yeah that felt good, thanks for coming out’ and off he went.

**Sam Rivers**

*Markham Jazz Festival, Toronto* (2001)

The great Sam Rivers was in Toronto for a gig with the Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) and with a quartet made up of the NOJO rhythm section for 2 nights at the Top O’ the Senator. I caught all shows, and got an autograph at the Markham Jazz Fest. The NOJO big band is a unique, forward-reaching ensemble led by guitarist Michael Occhipinti and pianist Paul Neufeld. I felt the adventurousness of the large group was a perfect fit for the sometimes brittle searching quality of River’s horn. It was a beautiful show, as were the quartet gigs.

**Ravi Coltrane**

Detroit Jazz Festival (1991)

Ravi Coltrane was performing with the Elvin Jones Jazz Machine at the Detroit Jazz Festival in 1991. I’d waited years to see Elvin, and the group here included the great Sonny Fortune, also on tenor. It was Ravi’s delayed plane en route to the festival which necessitated Elvin playing a solo set before the band hit.

**Teddy Edwards**

*Serengeti Ballroom,Detroit* (1998)

The Serengeti Ballroom was an unusual venue on Woodward Ave in a questionable part of Detroit. However, I saw many great shows by Milt Jackson, Sonny Fortune, Cecil Payne and Kirk Lightsey. This show featured Teddy Edwards, a powerful underrated tenor titan who lived in Detroit for a short period of time in his early years. On this gig the great Harold McKinney was on piano.

James Moody was part of a tribute to Milt Jackson at Orchestra Hall in Detroit. My friend and I bravely snuck up the stairs leading to the green rooms after the show and encountered a bubbly James Moody, who proceeded to hug us enthusiastically for having the gumption! Moody then grabbed Milt who warmly shook our hands and gave us an autograph. Quite an evening.

Curtis Fuller

Detroit Jazz Festival (1998)

Curtis Fuller was in town appearing in a sextet with Marcus Belgrave, Charles McPherson, Barry Harris, Louis Hayes and Robert Hurst. Wow. I’d posted a picture of that group in the description for my Louis Hayes autograph in an earlier post.

**Kenny Garrett**

Detroit Jazz Festival (1997)

Kenny Garrett arriving for his set at the Toronto Jazz Festival, 1997

Kenny Garrett lit up the Toronto Jazz Festival in a brilliant show with Doug Dezron on bass, Joe Farnsworth drums, William Henderson on piano and the great Pharoah Sanders on tenor. The music was wild and inventive, with Farnsworth’s extended solo a highlight of the evening.

My blurry 2006 mobile phone shot of Pharoah Sanders, Doug Dezron and Kenny Garrett Toronto, 2006

Doc Cheatham

Windsor Jazz Festival (1995)

Doc Cheatham was celebrating his 90th birthday (which was in 4 days) at the Windsor Jazz Festival in 1995. Playing with him were Detroit legends Jim Dapogny on piano, Paul Keller bass and Pete Siers on drums. It was a great show which I reviewed for the local musician’s union newsletter. And to our great pleasure Marcus Belgrave sat in and played much of the evening.

Doc Cheatham with Marcus Belgrave, Paul Keller and Pete Siers. Jim Dapogny not visible on piano.

Nicolas Payton

Jazz Showcase, Chicago (2005)

I was in Chicago for a work conference with my good friend Rob. We managed to take in this great show at the Jazz Standard. I remember Marcus Gilmore was on drums. There’s something quite unique about Chicago. Much like Detroit they appreciate the music and it shows. My mom was born in Chicago, and I’m pretty sure she was there with us digging Nicolas Payton.

The late-great Joe Segal introducing the Nicolas Payton group.

Terence Blanchard and Ed Love

Detroit Jazz Festival (1999)

I’m actually not sure of the year here. I put 1999, but I actually think it might have been earlier. Anyways, I do remember the show as a ripper. Plus, I got to meed the great Detroit DJ Ed Love, who’s Destination Jazz show I had been listening to for many years.

Branford Marsalis

Chene Park Detroit (1991)

Chene park is a quirky venue on the Detroit River. Essentially it’s a big tent with a stage. I saw Miles and Branford Marsalis months apart, so it hosted some damn good music. This band was touring after Crazy People Music, and had the devastating band with Kenny Kirkland, Robert Hurst and Jeff Tain Watts. This show was really a turning point for me as I had not heard music of this intensity and beauty so closely. I sat right next to the stage and breathed it in all evening. I managed to get Branford and Tain’s autographs on the back of my 60’s band’s business cards (the same cards which Elvin Jones and Ravi Coltrane signed). I’ll never forget the power and beauty of this show.

Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Chene Park Detroit (1991)

Houston Person and Joey DeFrancesco

Detroit Jazz Festival (1999)

Another great show at the Detroit Jazz Festival. The ‘99 Festival was a particularly stellar roster of jazz greats. I saw Tommy Flannigan, Yusef Lateef, Elvin Jones and Dave Brubeck among others I can’t remember. Being a great fan of the organ trio I was first in line to see the great Houston Person with Joey Defrancesco. I remember they played Blue Moon, a favourite of mine and many other grooving, swinging pieces. If I remember it was Byron Landham on drums, a great swinging shuffle-master drummer, whos feel I have always loved.