A Sonny Day

I read in the paper at lunchtime that Sonny Rollins turns 74 today. As one of the few surviving jazz giants of his generation, he's not only still kickin' but still jammin'. I've been lucky enough to see him three times: at Caravan of Dreams when I was in college, then again at the New Orleans House of Blues in '99 and two years ago at the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival in Vermont. The most recent one was perhaps the most amazing performance, as the nearly-72-year-old busted out a magnum opus blues solo of fifteen minutes in length...and it never got old. His touring schedule doesn't look as busy this year, but it's great to see him still around and playing on a regular basis. I hope he'll swing through somewhere nearby before long, so I can see him one more time and bring Halfling too.

Sonny put out a CD not too long ago called "Here's to the People." Today I say here's to the person who's meant so much to jazz and who continues to keep the fire burning.

Not too laborious: It was a quiet Labor Day around here--no picnics or cookouts or what-not. I taught a few people at the store (the ones who remembered, at any rate) and then Halfling and Dingus came over for a TD/D horn rehearsal. Today felt like an "Honorary Monday" while teaching (and a few students thought it was, forgetting their money or almost forgetting to come in for the lesson), but no matter what you call it, Friday is still only three days away now.