I did not like the man, I learned to hate the man, then I learned to love the man.
Mike Alessi, SAX PLAYER, past away last night. He died in rehab, he lost his ability to balance. For the last three years he refused a hip replaced, and he feared rehab; he must have known.

For the last five years Mike and I had breakfast together in a resterant in his clubhouse. We laughed, talked about old times, and talked about ending times, he asked me about God.

Mike tried, with all he had, to play his sax, it was hard. I offered to buy him a plastic midi sax, it took less effort to play. He said no, it wasn’t the same. When he sold the Selmer Tenor Sax, it was as if he lost a large part of himself.

Mike Alessi was a musicians musician, his life was the tenor, then himself. I have never met another musician like him.

Mike’s daughter called me, she said that I should and take any or all of his music equipment; There are a few things I would like, I will help her sell what is left.

Another season has just passed— He was here, and now he is not here. I will miss him. I wonder if God has a new Selmer Sax ready for him, if so, I’m not leaving without my guitar. (smile)

John C.