Matthew "MeFi" Haughey has just launched his latest project: Ticketstubs.org. You're invited to scan ticket stubs from events and places and tell the story that goes with it.
Most jazz greats rose to fame in the 50s, and are well into their 70s today. I've seen dozens of jazz concerts since those two nights and know full well how lucky I was to catch several amazing musicians before their passing. Joe Williams, Milt Jackson, and Ray Brown each played and are now gone. The show featured some reminiscing about Ellington, and a lot of renditions of his tunes, but what I most remember was being in awe all night, as one great after another came onstage to jam. There were solos, small bands, big bands, and full orchestras. I wish I still had my program tucked away somewhere so I could name-drop everyone I saw. There wasn't a single bad performance all night, not a single dropped note or missed key.
(Thanks, Matt!)
