What I wrote in a Facebook post: 
Today, I celebrate the day Oscar Peterson was born! My friend and mentor Don Gallagher was taking his dads record collection (unbeknownst to me) and giving them to me when I was in 7th grade to check out. Almost all of them were the trumpet series Oscar did with the trumpet greats. I don't think Freddie was in the original series, that came later. In addition to the amazing swingin' music, I loved these album covers for whatever reason. (who would have guessed I would become friends with Jon Faddis back then, not me) These albums are so much of my DNA ( not that I sound anything like them yet, but sure taught me how to hear jazz). Then when CD's came along, my very first CD I bought was Stan Getz and Oscar. Stan was my father's favorite saxophone player. I was able to see Oscar three times. Once with my friend Mr. Bob MacKercher and we went to Windsor, Canada, once at Ravinia, and once receiving an award at the IAJE in Toronto. The great Oscar Peterson born on today's date!

Walter Blanding Jr. - Great saxophonist! Honor to know him after all these years. I think the thing I love about Walter most is watching him on the bandstand and after 20 some years of playing with the same people, he acts like it's the first time he has ever heard them play and listens so intently to peoples solos! Much love to you Walter!

Michael Davis - Great Trombonist

​Mulgrew Miller - Great Pianist

Pat Metheny - Great Guitarist 

Phil Palombi - Great Bassist who I met through Keith Hall

Ashton Moore - Great singer from MSU now living in Japan where we had a mini hang and good time! 

Mark Stryker - Great Jazz Enthusiast and Writer including his book "Jazz From Detroit" 

Dori Colley - My Awesome Sister who is a great mom and wife to my brother. She is also my Realtor and MSU Alum! So sweet and thoughtful! 

Perice Pope - Good Brother from MSU now in LA and was happy to take him and his bride to his first Laker game! 

​Cyrill Aimee - Vocalist from France

Jack DeJohnette - Drummer and Pianist

Deb Verdier - A dear friend from elementary school. Deb is an accomplished lawyer out in Phoenix. I love Deb's passion for music and musicians. Wish there were more like her that supported the arts! 

Benny Carter - One of the more memorable concerts I've ever seen was this one at the North Sea Jazz Festival! A swing summit with Benny Carter, Harry Sweets Edison, Milt Hinton, Marian McPartland, Al Grey, and Louie Bellson. Now you know why it was memorable!

Marcus Roberts - Known as the modern genius of the piano. Truly an amazing musician. 

So many jazz greats birthdays today!

Victor Goines - Saxophonist with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

Regina Carter - Amazing violinist that I heard first time with Wynton doing Blood on the fields and was just floored! 

Ravi Coltrane - Great Saxophonist

Charlie Haden - Great Bassist

Abbey Lincoln - Great vocalists