Wonderful memories playing Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are” with the great Tony Middleton, who sadly passed away yesterday. He was so special ❤️ One of my favorite songs I used to love dancing to in my bedroom as a kid was great Doo-Wop tune, “Church Bells May Ring.” I first met Tony Middleton, the amazing man behind that song and so much more great music shortly after my undergrad graduation from NYU. While I did continue my formal studies in grad school, I often look back at my time playing music with Tony as an education in itself that was just as consequential as my time at NYU. I learned so much from him - both about music and enjoying life! Every time we were together, Tony always kept me in a near constant state of laughter. He’d often poke fun at me by announcing to a crowd that I had (falsely) just gotten married, engaged, or had a baby - and he got such a kick out of watching my shocked laughter at his announcement and the audience’s celebratory respond to it. Jake LaMotta, the middleweight champion of the world boxer who Robert DeNiro portrayed in “Raging Bull” used to come and hear us. One time Tony introduced LaMotta to the audience like this: “Ladies and gentlemen, the great Jake LaMotta is in the house. Jake, on the set break I’m going to come over there and kick your ass!” Hah! Tony was hilarious. And musically, he was incredible! He had such a powerful, beautiful voice that reminded me of Joe Williams; I felt like I was playing with one of the last real blues singers from that generation and it was always an honor to feel and be a part of that sound that I so love. Tony was also a wonderful champion of me and my work. He’d often show up to my trio and solo gigs just to be there to support me, and it always meant so much to see Tony, always dressed to the nines, sitting in the audience cheering me on. So much of who I am today is thanks to Tony and his influence. I’ll always be grateful and will miss him forever.
- Күн бұрын
Tony Middleton & Joe Alterman - “Just The Way You Are”
- Рет қаралды 166
Пікірлер