Jazz Collector, Ahem, “The Greatest Thing I’ve Ever Read”

Today we turn things over to some readers. We appreciate all of your letters and the great support we’re already getting from the community after just two weeks. If you sent us a note and we haven’t replied, it’s just because we’re a little overwhelmed right now. Here are some of the things our readers have shared with us:

“It’s great to read your newsletter. I feel the same way about my father as you do about being introduced to jazz. I was hearing jazz at my house as a kid way before I migrated to my generation’s rock music. I eventually came back to jazz I my 20s and have stayed there since. My father game me a great gift. I try to pass that gift to as many people as I can – especially children.” — Russ O’Brien 

“My first autographed album was obtained from Barney Kessel at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach in 1959. However, I was living in Detroit at the time so I frequented Baker’s Keyboard Lounge and I did get up the nerve to have Thelonious Monk autograph his Mulligan Meets Monk album for me. My favorite story happened back in 1957-58. I had just moved to Indianapolis, my first time away from home. I was invited to an art gallery on Meridian Street, where they had local jazz musicians on Sunday night just playing and improvising. It was a small place and you could literally sit about five feet from the performers. It was there that I first heard and met Wes Montgomery, who was a local legend but had yet to make his first solo album. I had an old Wilcox-Gay tape recorder but never had the nerve to ask Wes if I could record him, although I’m sure he wouldn’t have minded. He was a really humble and nice guy who died much too soon. — Steve Hinds, Seminole, Fla.

“I’m a collector from Germany. The newsletter and website are a great idea and a most welcome feature for all jazz collectors. And it’s professionally made and fun to browse and look at. I really hope you will attract a lot of fellow collectors. I have read your features about collecting (addiction) and could recognize myself in your description of collecting and eBaying. Maybe that will be comfort to you that thousands of miles away people in different have the same hobbies/obsessions and are doing similar things and thinking similar thoughts.” — Ulrich Loh

“I was thrilled to hear I won (the Gene Ammons LP). Being from Chicago and a big fan of Ammons I’m in heaven. Also, I just finished converting a warehouse into a residence and made it imperative to have a jazz room in which only vinyl will be played. The warehouse is in Hermosa Beach, CA., which was famous for the Lighthouse. It’s still there!” — Lawrence Manning, Hermosa Beach, CA.

“I’m signed up for your newsletter and I think it’s just about the greatest thing I’ve ever read.” — Karl Bang Christensen, Denmark

And on that note, see you tomorrow with the newsletter. – Al