Nigel, I used to travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for my day job twice a month. On the first trip, I asked where I could find live jazz. The secretary told me that the janitor had a son who was a jazz singer. He had just graduated from college with a psychology degree (about 1976, I think) and had moved from one upscale place to another of "lessor" splendor.

In 10 degree weather, I walked to the place, which was a little motel with a lounge. These was a female bartender and one really bored older stripper. She was pissed, because I was the only customer, and wasn't paying much attention.

When I told her that I was looking for jazz, the bartender said that her husband was the owner and drummer. There was an old B-3 in the corner, so when the owner showed up, I asked him if I could play. He and I started, and were joined by Al a few minutes later. He was the kid singer I just heard of that afternoon. This, obviously was before recording contracts, TV. etc.


And the rest, as they say, is history.


Russ

PS Al does a mean job on tunes like "When Sunny Gets Blue".