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Over the years I've been around people who have always - unfailingly - managed to get themselves into a picture with whatever celebrity happens to be in the same room. Usually, the people who do this are minor celebrities themselves or in some position that gives them access. I, as a musician, always thought they were kind of weird, trading on others celebrity to get themselves over. However…, now that I'm trying to put this page together I realize, much to my dismay, how many prominent people I could have taken a picture with over the years. (Not to impress anybody, just for the tangible memories...) When I get back to the states I'll go through all my old photos and pull up what I can - but, in the interim, here's an eclectic assortment of folks I've been around and didn't take pictures with when I could have. I haven't bothered to include the obvious like Roberta Flack & Marvin Gaye (whom I have pictures with somewhere) nor anybody already on my artists page. The rest (in no particular order) are :
Clerow - I always called him by his real name - and I met in 1961 in a Chock Full of Nuts coffee shop in Harlem at about 2am as we were both returning from gigs. We became friends and ended up doing alternating sets in jazz clubs all over the east coast. We remained friends for many years thereafter although I didn't see much of him after his retirement. My favorite story about him is this: As he started to hit nationally (doing the Tonight Show, etc.) his price increased dramatically. I was still working jazz clubs and struggling. One night I took a date to see him in an upscale supper club. We were sitting at the table with him between sets and he tapped my leg surreptitiously and handed me a $50 dollar bill. Twice that night! At one point my date went to the restroom and I asked him what the money was about. He said, "Look, these places are expensive. I appreciate you supporting me but I'm doing good so I don't want you paying for it." And then with perfect comedy timing he added, "And if you ever have a hit record you owe me all this money."
Damn, I miss him!