Who was spotted

I love seeing celebrities. You may be surprised to know that some of them like jazz music and come out to support it. So, when I see them, or hear about them being out I will let you know.

Week of October 23, 2006

New Jersey Performing Center (NJPAC): I ran into Cornel West. We were there to see Alice Coltrane (widow of John Coltrane and a fine musician) perform a brilliant performance with her son, Ravi Coltrane. Some of the concert was recorded for future pressings. That was quite a historic performance and many years have passed since Alice Coltrane has performed.

Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola: Eric Reed told me that he saw Roger Waters from Pink Floyd. Once Eric Reed gave his son a piano lesson.

Mannahatta: Mathew Cowles...OK, WHO is he? You may remember him as Billy Clyde Tuggle on the daytime soap opera All My Children. As a loyal fan from the beginning in 1970, when it was broadcast in Black and White and a half-hour program, I could not contain my EXCITEMENT when he came in. He was wearing a cowboy hat looking as sinister in person as when he played the pimp on AMC. Not a man of many words but his friends were. Perhaps it was my enthusiasm in seeing him that made him mute. Hey, as I said, I am a gawker.

Week of October 16, 2006

Blue Note: I was not at the Blue Note this night but I heard that during the Jimmy Heath week celebration for his 80th birthday Cornel West, Tavis Smiley and Laurence Fishburne showed up together. That did not surprise me because they are frequent visitors to jazz clubs.

Café Un Deux Trois: I spoke to Bebe Neuwirth as she was leaving when I was there on October 20. On her way out she was checking on her reservations for the next night. In August I saw Bebe at the Dance Theater of Harlem block party when they named 152nd Street "Dance Theater of Harlem Way." In addition to being a great actor, Bebe is a fine dancer. And, I had the pleasure of seeing her in the play, "Chicago."

About sightings:

Some time ago I ran into Cornel West sitting at the bar at Iridium jazz club. He was there to hear trumpeter, Freddie Hubbard. We had a delightful conversation as he shoved his fries down my throat. Actually, he did not have to force me to eat them, I love good French fries, and I would eat off of Cornel's plate anytime, he is quite the sexy man and charismatic too. You can check out Cornel’s comments on the back cover of my second book, “How To Grow As A Musician: What All Musicians Must Know To Succeed.” (Allworth Press)

A few years ago Mick Jagger was at Iridium to hear the late, organ master, Jimmy Smith. I was stuck by how youthful he looked. His skin was flawless and he was wearing a fabulous blue suit with square towed black shoes. Mick walked by me, gave me a HUGE smile, then walked off with his entourage. A few minutes later he ran back in to give Jimmy a hug.

Laurence Fishburne is a frequent visitor to Dizzy’s. One night he caused a bit of a commotion when he “called out” saxophonist, Vincent Herring while he was making an “interesting” introduction of the musicians on stage. The story is best told, not written.