Bio

Hometown:	Donalsonvi l l e ,Georgia
School:	Seminole County Training School
Employer:	Retired

I am a fan of jazz music :swing, traditional or classic , fusion ,bebop,cool jazz . I was introduced to the music by my home room teacher, the late Mr Eddie D. Walker , who loved piano jazz ,and made attempts to play the work of Ahmad Jamal, Count Basie and Oscar Peterson.

In 1959-60 ,while a student at Fort Valley State College ,Fort valley , Georgia I "discovered "the "Down Beat" Magazine and began to read about Charlie "Birdland " Parker , John "Trane " Coltrane, Theolonous Monk, Max Roach, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn , Nancy Wilson ,Cannonball and Nat Adderly , Dave Brubek,Bill Evans , Joe Zawinul,David "Fat Head "Newman and many ,many others.....

In 1968 ,while at Indiana University ,David Baker, Chair of the Jazz Program ,invited the legendary jazz pianist, Oscar Peterson to the campus ,follwing the untimely murder of Dr. Martin Luther King .Jr. As a part of that memorable concert, Oscar Peterson played a riviting musical tribute to the slain international leader. I don't recall the title,but it is seared on my fading memory ,and I would have immediate recall upon the hearing the musical sermon .

During the summer of 1968 ,while studying in Europe ,I recall looking, with amazement, at an electronic billboard/marquee only to notice the contents of the message announcing the the death of Wes Montgomery ,my,favorite jazz guitarist.My wife Geraldine Koonce (married in 1968) became fans of his music purchasing several 8Track tapes for the radical contraption in our new volkswagen bettle , and later our VW van.During those days of fun and excitement we attended concerts featuring Nancy wilson , Aretha Franklin ( Fountain Bleau ), Cool and the Gang, Al Green Fountain Bleau), Count Basie (@ the Playboy Club)and Iassac Jayes( Jackie Gleason )

Approximately two years later,in Miami,Florida,at the now defunct "Checkers Lounge" ,I had the unique opportunity to hear and see the legendary (Fritz) Ahmad Jamal..it brought my introduction to