You never know where generosities are going to come from; they can be dear surprises. On my trip to Wisconsin in March, I was disappointed that I couldn’t get to Chicago to hear Kim Cusack, clarinet / vocal; Andy Schumm, piano, at the Honky Tonk BBQ.
But I received an email — with attachments — the other day:
Dear Michael,
It’s been a long time since we were graduate students, and we haven’t been in touch. I didn’t talk about it then — we were too worried about doctoral orals — but I was developing into a jazz fan, and I found you through your blog. I was passing through Chicago at the end of March on my way to visit family in California, and thought I would bring the video camera I use for the grandkids. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so here are a few videos of Kim Cusack and Andy Schumm. If you can use them on the blog, I’d be delighted.
Keep well,
Charles
The fog of decades lifted — I’d last seen Charles Schultz (who got annoyed if someone called him “Snoopy”) in 1981. But what a lovely gift! Not just for me, but for all of us. And he does first-rate work.
and
and
and, finally, with vocal refrain:
Charles and I have tentative plans to meet in New York in August. What a pleasure that will be, and neither of us will video the other.
May your happiness increase!
Is there any instrument Schumm doesn’t play? As always, thank you very much for posting.
So far, I’ve heard him on cornet, tenor saxophone, clarinet, bass saxophone, comb, and drums. And I haven’t tracked his every move. What’s more important is how well he plays them!