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This CD is a testament to my longest, strongest and most enduring friendship—that’s the one with Ed Dix. He and I have been best friends since 1946 and we were inseparable, musically and personally. He was the bandleader; I was the arranger.
After his son (and my first godson) came on the scene, he wisely decided that family had to come first, a brave and remarkable decision for someone who so loved music. I was the “alter ego,” as he described me. Playing with people we both idolized and in general much of the stuff that Ed would have done, were he less responsible and less of a man. All during his insurance and financial career, he kept playing, winding up—to his surprise and mine—in Beaumont, Texas. he has become a person of importance there and thinks—now that he’s retired and playing full time—that they may be having second thoughts about a very hot tenor player sitting on the city council. I am proud of him beyond words—he is living proof of that fact that “once you got it, you don’t lose it.” He always had it, the swing and the energy and the musicality, and he still has it, with the added joy of now being able to be fully engaged, without fighting the business wars.
His life contained many hard and brave (and painful) decisions and—now that we are more-or-less grownups (sometimes), he can put his life’s passion back in first place. Without Mary Anne, the loving wife, this could not have happened, so—Flossie being one of my early nicknames for her lovely face—she has her own tune.
This is my gift to Ed—I COULD have written easier tunes but I gotta do what I gotta do and, as usual, the ink was still wet when we began recording. Next life, I will finish the music early.
Extra thanks to Paul, Bob and Todd—they were full of good will, good music and made us feel comfortable when we needed it. Also to Ron Ubel, who likewise gave us skill, time and patience, without which we couldn’t have done it. Now that the “opening night jitters” are over, we are thinking about another one. It was—and is—my pleasure.
Bob Brookmeyer
In a sense, this CD with Bob has been a work in progress for over 55 years. It is in celebration of our long and close friendship that started as teenagers growing up together in Kansas City, a magic place and time for young aspiring musicians. We co-led big and small bands and cut our playing teeth in the shadows of so many of those greats who, along with Bob, went on to make jazz history.
Although our lives took different paths, we kept in close touch and, upon reflection, I think the sharing of the different lives we were leading helped each of us gain and maintain a broader perspective. He has been like a brother to me and his concern, council and inspiration over the years has meant so much.
Since the time when I first saw him at age 15 transcribing the score from an old Basie record all transposed, copied and ready for playing that night, I have been in a state of awe. His musical ability and achievements need no further commentary from me; his place and importance in jazz history is secure (although I sometimes feel that he does not always get the attention from the press that he so justly deserves). But, he is definitely not a one-dimensional man. While he continues to expand the envelope as a performer and composer, he also has achieved outstanding success as a dedicated teacher and writer.
Many of his students are among those young musicians and composers that are setting the course for the future of jazz. He thinks “young” and is always moving forward, looking to the future.
The journey hasn’t always been smooth for him. He has had more than his share of challenges. But he found the strength and character to put everything back on track and, as a result, he has taken his career to even greater heights and his life has never been happier. Of course, much of the credit for that must go to his lovely, supportive and loving wife, Jan.
I was excited (and very nervous) when we first discussed making this CD. I hesitated, not wishing to embarrass myself or put his career in jeopardy. But he assured me he would keep the charts simple, that this wasn’t to impress anyone, it was just for our enjoyment (impossible, he’s never, ever, compromised his music in his entire life! And did I mention how intimidating he can be?). Well, I hung on for dear life and escaped with a few scratches. Paul, Bob Bowman and Todd were the perfect soul mates. We’re so pleased to share these joyful moments with you.
Ed Dix |
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| | Lemon Pie |  | | Weaver of Dreams | | | Waltz for Floss | | | It's Me Again | | | Just Another Pretty Face | | | You're My Everything | | | Back to Back. | | | I Remember You | |
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Bob Brookmeyer, valve trombone
Ed Dix, tenor saxophone
Paul Smith, piano
Bob Bowman, bass
Todd Strait, drums |
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