Every year, I get asked to play legit, or longhair (funny, since I'm bald) music.

If you look at the careers of many jazzers, they make frequent excursions into the world of legit music. Think The Marcellis (SP?) brothers (and dad, actually),Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea...EVEN Joe Walsh (recently seen on a Paul McCartney special in a tux, no less) and Frank Zappa (neither are/were jazzers, but well versed in structure).

Maybe it's the "inner nerd" in me, but I ENJOY IT.

But, man, to go from shooting straight from the hip; never knowing where you're going...flat-out improvisation vs. playing a fly turd, if it's on the chart, is a MAJOR DIFFERENCE!

What, do you think, is the major attraction? I'll be featured doing a tribute to Wes Montgomery with a regional Philharmonic here, and in Indianapolis with a chamber group doing Legrand tunes, including "How do You Keep The Music Playing?"...hokey but GREAT writing and challenging to play.

WHAT'S UP WIT DAT?........


Russ (the bald long-hair) Lay