My Inspirations

In a past column (TST, September 2022) I mentioned a pub I played in with the Hot Cat Jazz Band called the Griswold Inn. It

Musicians have to be a hardy lot, and here I’m not only talking about the full-timers—those who log in hundreds of thousands of miles and

To set the stage for this month’s journey, I’ll quote lyrics from one of my biggest inspirations, pianist, composer, vocalist and lyricist Dave Frishberg: I

I’m aware that this will be the second month in a row I’m dwelling on dear ones who, to quote Sondheim, “leave you halfway through

For the fourth month in a row, I’ve set out to write about one topic or story for this column only to have some event

By now you faithful readers able to wade through my initial meanderings in each column are hopefully anticipating that they (usually) lead to something worthwhile.

I’ll admit to having a conflicted relationship with organized sports. Now before you turn the page, I promise this month will include some musical moments,

If you’ll allow that inspirations come in all shapes, colors and sizes, I’ll share that for me March has already yielded bunches of them and

When Andy Senior reminded his writers we had an earlier deadline due to February’s being shy two or three days, there was a bit of

For the first time since 2019, I played a New Year’s Eve gig! It was special for several reasons. First, it was in the town

Two events in which I was invited to take part in November and December of last year prompted me to look at where OKOM is

I was aware musicians were streaming performances on FaceBook, YouTube, and similar, but I didn’t have the confidence (or the Wifi capability) to join in.

On those rare occasions when I manage to accomplish something even marginally technological (or even technical), like finding the on/off button on a computer or

On September 8, two momentous occurrences took place in the UK: one was instantly shared throughout the world and millions upon millions mourned; the other

We all struggle with the conundrum regarding Art and Life: which imitates which? Sometimes it seems as if we are watching rather than scriptwriting our

[N.B. This month’s column is a continuation of my recalling halcyon days I enjoyed performing at the Yankee Silversmith Inn in Wallingford, CT, and being

In April, I described from whence came my fascination with silent film comedy and introduced to my column Jan Fitzgerald, a woman who would continue

During the 22-month “virus vacation” when Anne and I spent more nights in our own bed than we had in the previous 10 years of

In 2001, after completing the Mammoth Lakes Jazz Jubilee, Anne and I rented a Toyota sedan with clarinetist Bob Draga to drive to Helena, Montana,

Recently I was asked from where stems my fascination with silent film comedy. I was five years old when my Grandma took me to the

It’s funny how as we get older, people who meant a great deal to us in our distant youth—but whom we’ve not thought of or

When I was a young sprat in the 1970’s my family belonged to the High Lane Club in North Haven, CT. It’s not as posh

(Earnest Announcer): When we last left our store-rey, our intrepid trio, having completed their gig on Long Island Sound, was hurtling across the water’s surface

“Jeff, I’ve got a gig for you this Labor Day,” whined my friend Stu Ingersoll in his ponderous yet always welcome voice. “Terrific, Stu!” In