Through the kindness of pianist Michael Kanan, I’ve been introduced to the music of people I might not otherwise have met. One of them is the soft-spoken and gently lyrical tenor saxophonist Ted Brown.
And because of the inventive and much younger saxophonist Brad Linde, there have been celebrations of Ted’s birth: I’ve been at number 85, 88, and the most recent one, Ted’s 89th, on December 3, 2016. The celebrants pictured above are Brad and Ted, Aaron Quinn, guitar; Frank Canino, string bass; Jeff Brown, drums. Other musicians in the house were Stephanie Greig, Nick Lyons, Jon De Lucia, Caroline Davis, and Elijah Shiffer — as well as some whom I haven’t met yet.
There was cake (also courtesy of Brad).
But more importantly, there was music. Cake is eaten; music lasts. And the approving shade of Lester Young was in the room.
LESTER LEAPS IN:
POUND CAKE:
YOU’D BE SO NICE TO COME HOME TO / FEATHER BED:
YARDBIRD SUITE:
Bless Ted Brown and his friends for making such beauty so generously available.
May your happiness increase!
