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Slug’sLastStand-AMemoir“themomentthathard-bopcametoanendasavitalforceinJazzwaswhenLeeMorganwasshotdeadbyhisjealousmistressatSlug’sclubonthelowereastsideofNewYorkCity...”AlynShipton-ANewHistoryofJazz,2007In2018whenIreadMr.Shipton’scommentsIrealizethatIhadabehind-the-scenesviewofasmallbutvitalpieceofjazzhistory.

JamesGavininhisarticleINSIDESLUG’SSALOON,JAZZ’SMOSTNOTORIOUSNIGHTCLUBdescribestheneighborhood.

“ In the 1960s, New York’s East Village was a hodgepodge of Lower East Side

multi-ethnicity-Ukrainians, Poles, Puerto Ricans, Jews and a burgeoning Bohemia of coffeehouses, experimental theatre and artists. Poverty and rampant drug action formed the . “The neighborhood had a beat to it that went on 24 hours,” says Charles Biada, then a

young police officer at the nearby Ninth Precinct. “Somehow everyone seemed to interrelate.”

Then night fell, and the unlit streets vibrated with danger. Dealers skulked in doorways; muggings were common. But that didn’t stop musicians and their fans from trekking into scary Alphabet City, east of First Avenue, to visit a club that lured the bravest renegades in jazz. Taxi drivers avoided the area, and the nearest subway stop was blocks away; those who lacked a car walked briskly. Along the way they passed squalid tenements, a men’s homeless shelter and the clubhouse of the Hells Angels, with a row of Harley-Davidsons outside. Past Avenue B, at 242 East 3rd Street, stood a bar whose hanging wooden sign read “Slugs’.” According to Sounds & Fury, a jazz magazine of the day, the windows were “usually dirty,” the front door “hard to open.” It had two eye-level grates, out of which spilled tough-sounding jazz. According to author Paul Pines-who later opened another neighborhood jazz club, the Tin Palace-“you knew you were at the gates of the underworld.”

AlbertAylerlightjacketoutsideSlug's

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PREFACEIwasnotatSlugsinFebruary1972whenLeeMorganwasshotbutithadaprofoundimpactonme.InearlyMayofthatyearIfinishedmycourseworkformyMastersdegreeandfledthedrycorridorsofSUNYBinghamtonforthejuicystreetlifeofAlphabetCity.ThisismymemoirofwhatIwitnessedandexperiencedin1972.IamcertainthatIdonothavethetimeandsequenceofeventsabsolutelycorrectbutIwilldomybesttotellthetruth,thewholetruth(exceptforthepartsthatwouldbetooembarrassing)andnothingbutthetruth(exceptthepartthatwouldgetmeintroubleorreallypissoffmyfriendsandlovedones.)Ofcourse,therewillbemuchthatisbasedonmypersonalimpressionasseenthroughthefogofpot,alcoholandanxietythatcoloredmyperception.NodoubtthatIwillgetsomeofthedetailswrong.Especiallywhichmusicianplayedwithwhichgroup.Iconfesstosomereluctancetowriteaboutthis.Somuchofwhatthepublicencountersinbooksandfilmexploitsthedramaticself-destructivebehaviorofcertainjazzmusician,especiallydrugandalcoholabuse.Iamsorrytosaythatwasasignificantpartofthisstory.EventhoughSlug’smayhavebeentheworstofit,thereweremanybeautiful,creativespontaneousmomentsthatlitupthosenightsinAlphabetcity.Youdon’treadmuchabouttheendlesshoursofpractice,anddedicationittakestogainthetechnicalmasteryofaninstrumentrequiredtoplayjazz.Nordoyouhearaboutthecreativityandimaginationintrinsictotheimprovisedsolo.Oraboutworkinginsmallvenuesforlittlepaythatmakesitnearlyimpossibletosupportoneself,letaloneafamily,asajazzmusician.THEBEGINNINGInthewinterof71-72Bernie(nothisrealname)boughtSlug’s,arenownedNYCjazzclubfromRobertandJerry.Hepaid$10,000downand$10,000tobepaidsometimeinthefuture.Ineverknewtheexactdetails.Berniewasaverylarge,strong,darkskinnedblackmanofabout30.Hehadahugelaughthatfilledtheroom.Hehadworkedintheclubforafewyearsasthedoorman(ormoreaccurately,thebouncer.)Iwasinmyearly20s,andthoughthewasamature,experiencedman,wiseinthewaysoftheworld.Thatopinionchangedinthenextsixmonths.

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Idon’twantyoutothinkIwasanerdyacademictypewhohadnobusinessventuringintotheunderworldoftheNYCjazzscene.Attheageof25IhadspenttimeinthecountyfarmforcommittingcivildisobedienceagainstthewarinVietnam,andmoreserioustimeinMansfieldStateprisonforpossessionofLSD.Notthatbeingincarceratedpreparedmetorunajazzclub.Butitconditionedmetodealwithawiderangeofpersonalitiesandhighstresssituations.

BernielivedwithB,awhitewomanwhotaughtschoolintheBronx.IwasmarriedtoP.,B’ssister.ThemoneyBernieusedtobuytheclubwas,inpartborrowedfromPandB’sparentsandBernie’sshareofaverysmallmanufacturingcompanyinupstateNY.Itwasallinthefamily,sotospeak.Berniewasstrugglingtokeepittogether.Iwasfinishinggraduateschoolwithnojobprospectsoranyideaweregetone.Iwasveryfondofjazz.SoitmadesomesenseformetogotoNYCandhelpoutthefamily.Infact,Icouldn’tgetoutofBinghamtonfastenough.Afterall,Iwasofferedoneofthehippestjobsintheworld!Isthisaco-incidenceorwhat?

P.andIwentapartmenthuntingintheFarEastVillage.WelookedataniceIbedroomplacerightonTompkinsSquareParkonTenthnearAvenueB.Theowner,aconservativeattorney,showedusaroundtheapartmentthatwasthe3rdfloorofthebuilding.Itwaslovelywithadeckthatofferedasunsetviewoverthepark.“Idon’tknowaboutjazzandallthatkindofstuffbutIhaveheardofSlug’sanditseemstobeawellknownplace.SoIguessitwouldbeastablesourceofincome.Infact,thisapartmentusedtobelongtoawellknowjazzmusician.HisnamewasByrd.”“Oh,CharlieByrdtheguitarplayer?”“No,Idon’tthinkthatwasit.IthinkhisnamewasCharlieand

theyjustcalledhimBird”Okay,myreaderswhoknowalittlesomethingaboutjazz,youcangetupoffthefloornow.Yes,itwastrue,IcametoNYCtomanageSlug’swithzeroqualification.Thejobjustdroppedinmylap.Throughnoeffort,orattemptonmypart,werentedtheapartmentthatwastheformerhomeofCharlieParker,thegeniuswhowasoneofthemostimportantfiguresinthehistoryofjazz.

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SURPRISESFROMTHESTARTMay1972-DayoneasmanagerofSlug’s,BernietheownerandIlefthisCristieSt.loftaboutnoon,whichwasanearlystarttotheworkdayinthisbusiness.Bernieflaggeddownacabandgavehimamid-townaddress.ThatsurprisedmebecauseSlug’swason3rdstreetbetweenAandB,theheartofAlphabetcity.Ourdestinationwasgeographicallyamileortwoawaybutculturallyinanotheruniverse.“Wegoin’toarecordingsessionwithLarryCoryell.”BerniesaidinadeepBahamianaccent.IfIpaidcloseattention,Icouldunderstandmostofwhathewassaying.UnlesshewasspeakingtoanotherBahamian,inwhichcaseIcouldn’tunderstandathingeitherofthemsaid.ThecabdroppedussomewherenearTimesSquare.Thebuildingwasanoldhotelandtherecordingstudiowasinwhatusedtobethegrandballroom.The30foothighceilingapparentlyhadgreatacoustics.Movingquietly,tryingnottodisturbthesession,wefoundourwaytocomfortablechairsinthecontrolroom.InthecenteroftherecordingstudiowasLarryCoryell,oneofmyheroes,apioneerofthejazz/rocksound.Hewasaloneintheroomonachairwithhisguitar.Asinglespotlightpointeddownonhim,illuminatingthecavernousspace.Heheldasemihollowguitarinhislap.Itwasturnedupsidedownwiththestringsinhislap.On

thebacksideoftheinstrument;hewasdelicatelylayingoutlinesofcocaine.Ahha!Thatiswhywerethere.Bernieknewtheywererecordingsandiftheywererecordingtherewouldbecoke.Hemayhavebeenthesupplerofthedrugorjusthopingforacoupleoffreelines.Thatshouldhavebeenmywarningthatthisjobhadperilouspossibility.Ialreadyhadacriminalrecord.Anotherarrestwouldputmeindeepshit.Thenagain,itwasnotmynaturetoavoideithertherisksorthepleasuresofthesituation.IfIhadanysenseIwouldhaverunoutofthere.Instead,wecaughtaridedowntownfromLarry.Therewere

2topicsofdiscussiononthatride.OnewasGatoBarbiari,arisingstarsaxophonistontheinternationaljazzscene.Theotherwaswhatwasthebestwaytohaveopiumhigh.Bernieadvocatedtakingatleast2daysundisturbedthatyoucandedicateittoeatingandsmokingtheblacktarrystuff.“Man,itsfreaky.Youcanbedreamingatigerischasingyouthroughthejungleandbranchesaretearingatyouclothes.Andwhenyouwakeupyourclothesaretorn!Andyouain’tleftthebed!”

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DEALINGWITHNYCADMINISTRATIONAcoupleofdayslaterBernietellsmethattheBoardofHealthwasgoingtoshutusdown.Wehadfailedthepreviousinspectionbecausethegasflamethatheatedthewaterinwhichglasseswerewashedwasnotfunctioning.(Iamsurethegasservicewasterminatedfornon-payment.)Ihadtogowayuptowntoameetingsettohappenin2hoursandtellthemtheflamewasworking(whichitwasnot}andtalkthemintoreschedulinganonpremisesinspectionfortheclub.BernieexplainedwhyIhadtogoinsteadofhim.“Ayoungwhiteguy,rightoutofcollege,man.They’regoingtobelieveyoualoteasierthanme.“Ihadtoagree,atleasttheywouldunderstandwhatIwassayingwithouttheaccent.BeingonlyvaguelyfamiliarwithNYCandcompletelyunacquaintedwithanythingabove14thSt.,itwasamiracleIfoundtheplacewerethehearingwassupposedtobe.Imetwiththreeheavysetguysinwell-wornsuits.IconvincedthemIrepresentednewmanagementandproblemslikethiswereathingofthepast.Ofcourse,IwasfakingeveryminutebutatthisearlystageofthegameIstillthoughtBernieknewwhathewasdoing.Theyagreedtorescheduletheinspectionforthreedayslater.ItoldBerniewhathappened.Hewasdelighted!Hepromisedtofixthesink.Threedayslater,anhourbeforetheinspectorwasdue,thesinkwasnotfixed.Berniesaid,“HereI’llshowyouhowtofixit.”Hepulledouta$50billandputitunderthesinkwheretheflamewassupposedtobe.Theinspectorcameandwent,sodidthe$50.Thissinkdidnotworkonesecondinthe6monthsIwasattheClub.IneverheardanotherwordaboutitfromtheBoardofHealth.Ihadnomoralqualmsaboutbribingtheseguys.Wewerestillinthemidstofthecounterculturalthinking.Anythingyoucouldgetoverontheestablishmentwasokay.MAXROACHTHINKSIAMAGENIUS!ThefirstnightImanagedtheclub.MaxRoach,theseminalbe-bopdrummer,wasplaying.Hedidn’tusuallyplayclubsassmallasSlug’s.HetoldmeheonlyagreedtoplaytherebecauseBerniewasblackanditwasveryimportantthatablackman

ownedaplacefeaturingtop-flightmusicians,mostofwhomwereblack.(IamItalian/Irish)Heshowedmethereceiptsfromhislastgig.Itwas3timeswhatwewerepayinghim.Andwewerepayinghim3timesmorethanwhatweusuallypaid.Yougetthepicture.MusiciansplayingatSlug’sdidn’tmakealotofmoney.Yetwestillhadanunbelievablelineup.

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(AttheendofthisessayisalistofthemusicianthatIcanrememberwhoplayedthereinthemonthsIwasthere.)*Itwasabout3AM,therestofthebandwaspackedupandoutthedoor.Maxhadhiskitloadedintothebackoffordstationwagon,circa1956.Hewaswaitingforhiswifetocomewithacanofgasoline.Hiscarwouldn’tstartandhewasprayingitwasjustoutofgas.Theypouredthegasintothetankandcrankeditup.Itdidn’tstart.Triedagain,nogood.Theylookedateachother.TheywerestrandedinthenotoriousAlphabetCityneighborhoodwithadrumkitinthemiddlethenight.Oncemoretheytriedtostartitbutthebatterywasobviouslywearingdown.“Wait,wait,youaregoingtouseupthebattery.”Iassertedmyself.“Letmetrysomething.“Iwasnostrangertooldcarsandrunningoutofgas,eitherfromlivingonashoestringbudgetorjustneglectingthegasgauge.“Doyouhavealittlebitofgasinthecan.”Ishookitandheardmaybeacoupletablespoonssplashinginthebottom.Ipoppedthehoodtookofftheairfilterandpouredtheremaininggasdirectlyintothecarburetor.“Quick,tryitoncemore.”Crank,crank,crank,POWitstarted.ReliefflowedacrossthefacesoftheRoachs.MaxwasastonishedthatIknewhowtodothis.IwasjustgladIwasabletososomethinguseful!THECLUBSlug’swasonelongroomwithasawdustfloor.Ifyouneverexperiencedit,asawdustfloorisanoldunfinishedwoodfloortoocracked,warpedandstainedtobecleanedbymoderntechniqueslikeamopandbucket.Twiceaweekadeliverycomesofburlapsacksfilledwithsawdust.Thesawdustisspreadoverthefloorandabsorbsspiltbeerandmiscellaneoustrashthatfallsonthefloor.Thenthesawdustissweptoutwithapushbroom,disposedofandreplaced.Therewasnooffice,nodressingroom,nogreenroomforthemusicianstoescapethefans.Someofthecatsslippedacrossthestreettoaneighborhoodbarwerethe

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drinkswerecheaperandtheycouldgetalittleprivacy.Therewasacloakroom,an8’by4’spacewithahalfdoorwheresupplies,whenwehadthem,werekept.Accesstothebasementwasviagroundlevelmetaldooronthesidewalkthatunfoldedtoasetofsteps.Thatwaswherethekegsofdraftbeerwerekept.Itwasalsowherepotsmokingandotheractivitiesthatneededtonotbepublicwenton.Onagoodnighttheclubwascrowdedandstuffy.Thesceneflowedouttothesidewalkandthestreetinfrontoftheclub.Theneighborhoodandthemusicbecameone.NotimewasthismorerealthanaMondaynightwhenSunRaandtheSolarArkestramadethescene.Theleader,SunRaclaimedhewasvisitingtheplanetfromouterspace.https://youtu.be/1qjiQwD7VCIThisvideowasnottapedinSlugsbutisprettymuchshowsthewaytheylookedandsoundedHeperformedwithadozenormoremusicians,singersanddancerswhoallworeextravagantcustoms.Exceptforayoungnearlynakedmaledancerwhoprancedandleapedthelengthofthebar.SunRa’scompositionsrangedfromrepetitivechants“Spaceistheplace,Spaceistheplace…towildadvantgardecollectiveimprovisations.Inwhichtheplayersredefinedthesoniclimitsoftheinstruments.AsdidPatPatrickonthealtosaxinthevideoclip.(BTW-thisisthefatherofDevalPatrick,GovernorofMass.)SunRaoftenbroughtalargefanthathesettoblowonhimselftomakehiscapeflurryinthewind.Hewasnotlimitedbythesizeofthestage.Accompaniedbyafemalesinger,hewouldwalkthroughtheaudience,serenadingeachtable,sometimesbreakingthebarrierofpersonalspace.Oftenasconfrontationalastheyweremelodic.,theywentstraightthroughtheclub,outthedoorandintothestreet.HerehewouldjoinacadreofHispanicsfromtheneighborhood,who,drawnbythesound,broughttheircongas,circledaroundthedoorandbecamealive,spontaneouspartofthesound.Alotoftheactionhappenedonthatsidewalkfrontoftheclub.Therewereusually3setsanight9,11and1am.Oneparticularnightbetweenthe11andthe1o’clocksetArchieShepp,wasplayingwithJimmyGarrisonandRashidAli.Iwasstandingabout20feetaway.Otherwisethestreetsweredeserted.IheardSheppsaysomethinglike,“Ilovethepartwherehegoes,”andhestartsscattingthesolo.AndRasheid

SunRa

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says,“Yeah,yeah,yeahandthedrumsgo(hescatsthedrumpart)Itdoesn’ttakeJimmymoretheacoupleofbarstojumpin.Andtheystartrolling,foratleast3verses.Andfinishedbycrackingupinlaughterandslappingfive.Iwastheonlyonewhoheard.Iknewsomethingspecialhadjusthappenedandthiswasanexperiencethatnoother25yearoldwhitekidislikelytohave.Yeah,thecluboozedoutintothestreetandsometimesthestreetcameintotheclub.Adayor2afterthescatincident,IwasstrandingoutsidejustafewfeetfromRashiedAli.Hehadabrotherwhowasaneighborhoodcharacter.Hewasanaddictwhosometimesmademoneybydistributingalocalnewsletter.IhadverylittleinteractionwithhimbutIhadthesensethathewastoleratedorevenlikedbythepeopleinthearea. Sowewerestandingoutsidetheclubwhenayoungblackmanonabicyclecamepedalingdownthestreet.Rashidyellsout,“Frankie,heyFrankie!Youseenmybrother?

Frankieslamsonthebrake.“Manyouain’theardnothingabouthim?”Rashiedsays,“What,Iain’tseenhiminafewdays”“Ithinkhe’sdeadman”saysFrankie.“Whathappened,didyouseeanything?”“Upinthepark,youknowwherehehangsout,Isawthemtakinghimoutofthereonstretcher,helooked

deadtome.Sorryman.”AndFrankeyridesaway. RashiedAli

So,thereIam.NoonearoundbutRashiedandme.ItriedtosaysomeconsolingwordsbutwhatthehelldoIknow.Weweren’tevensurehewasdead.OuronlyinformationwasaguyonabicycleridingthroughAlphabetCityat2AM.Ineverdidfindoutwhathappenedtohisbrother.ArchieSheppwasgreatlyinfluencedbyColtranemusicallybutpoliticallyhewasanangryBlackMan.Hewasoutspokenandwroteradicalpoetry.That’swhyIwasalittletakenabackonenightwhenheshowedupattheclubwithagroupofolderwhitepeopledressinsuits.Iwascollectingtheadmissionfeeatthedoor,andbelieveme,everycentwasneeded.Sheppsaystome“IhavesomepeoplethatIwanttobemyguests”

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AndinwalkstheveryfamousLindaRonstadt.Shesmilesandbatshereyes.AndIsay“Surecomeonin.”ThenSheppbringsinanotherguy.“Thisishermanager,heismyguestaswell.”“Yeah,Okbutthingsarealittletight.Wegottopayyouguysoutofthismoney.”“Yeah,”hepointsourmorepeople.“Ijustgottheseone,two,threefour,fivemorepeople.” “Fiveistoomany”Isay.“Weneedthemoney.”Andwewereoffinanargumentthatgotprettynasty.Idon’tremembermuchofthedetailsbesidesofferingtogivethefiveothersafreedrinkaftertheypaidtheadmissionandSheppsayingthatIwasdrunk.Idon’tremembertheresolutionbutmyoverallfeelingwasthathewasshowingoffforthewhitepeopleandwasembarrassed.Nottomentionreallypissedatme.Iwasn’tusedtothis.WhothehellwasItotellArchieSheppwhohadtopayandwhodidn’t?Thiswasjustthebeginningof“uncomfortablesituations”thatcamewiththejob.PART2Slug’swasonlyacoupleblocksfromtheEastRiver.OnehotnightIwasstandingonthesidewalknearthedoor.Asthefogrolledin,astrikingfigureemergedfromthe

mist.Dressedinablackkarategi,hecarriedacaseinonehandandtheotherrestedonthehiltofasamaraswordathiswaist.Ihopedhewasn’tcomingherebutofcoursehewas.Hebarelyacknowledgedmewithanodasheenteredtheclub.AsIfollowedhiminIthought,“IsthisOkay?ShouldIsaysomething?Likewhat?”Hewalkedstraightupontothestage,sethisswordinthecornerandunpackedhisinstrument.HewasJohnBlair,partofLeonThomas’bandwhichwasbookedfortheweek.

LeonThomaswasalargemanwhodressedinAfrocentricattire.Althoughhismusicwascontemporaryhisactwasoldschool.Hewastheonlyperformerthatworemakeuponstage.HehadPeeWeeEllisonbaritonesaxandJohnBlairon

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vitar.Thevitarisafivestringelectricsolid-statecrossbetweenaviolinandguitarwhichBlairinventedandhemadeitsing!Tomyknowledge,LeonwastheonlyjazzmusicianwhoYodeled.Itsoundsweirdwhenyousayitbuthemadetheyodelwork.Thinkaboutit.Coltrane’slatestworks,hisspiritualstufffeaturedextendedmodalslurs.Theywerenotthatdifferentfromayodel.Coltranehadbeendeadaround4yearsandPharaohSanderswasthemaindescendentofthespiritualsound.Pharaoh’ssignaturetuneTheCreatorHasaMasterPlanfeaturedLeon’syodel.HealsohadahitwithHoraceSilver’sSongForMyFathertowhichheaddedlyricsandayodelingpart.Leon’smusicwasbothinnovativeandaccessible.Heexudedpositiveenergy;spiritualbutrootedintheblues.Idon’tthinkhehadmuchfinancialsuccessinAmericaandIbelievehemovedtoEurope.Ifyouwanttohearjazzyodeltrythislink.https://youtu.be/hSYwGEiowHg.It’saboutaminuteandahalfintotherecording.FreddieHubbardwasarisingstarwhenheplayedSlug’sacoupleweekslater.Itwasneartheendoftheschoolyear.ItmusthavebeenpromnightorgraduationorsomethingspecialbecauseaboutadozenyoungAfricanAmericansshowedupdressedtothehilt.I’mtalkinggownsandtuxedos.TheycametohearFreddie.HehadakillerbandwithGeorgeCablesonkeysandJuniorCookontenor.Unfortunately,noFreddie.Itwasnineo’clock,timetohitandnooneknewwhereFrediewas.By9:30thecrowdwasgettingrealagitated.Juniortookoverandledthebandforaset.Theywheregreat!Halfthecrowdwasfinewiththat.Theotherhalfwasonmycase.TheypaidtoseeFreddie.Ihadnoclue.NowaywasIgivingbackthemoney.NeartheendofthesetFreddieshowsup.Helooksatthestage,seesthebandisdoingwellandsaystome,“IleftmyhorninNewJersey.Don’tworry;it’sjustacrosstheriver.I’llbebackinahalfhour.”Andhe’sgone!Mystomachsank.“WhatwasIgoingtotellthesepeople?Whataterriblefeeling!TohiscreditFreddiedidmakeitbackinahalfanhourandplayedbrilliantly.Thenextnightwastheendofhisfour-dayrun.Bernieshowedup.WepaidFreddie.Bernielockedthedoor.TherewasonlyBernie,me,Freddieandacoupleofhisfriends.Iwasstationedatthedoorwhileeveryoneelsewasinthefrontofthe

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place.Theypulledoutthecokeandsnorteduptheentirenightsdraw.Whenthecokewasgonetheyweregone,too.Thatwasaveryprofitablenight.Wehadraisedtheadmission.EvenafterwepaidFreddiewehadagrandleftover.Bernietookthecash,hesaid,topayhisrent.Mondaymorningtherewasnothingtopaythebills.Ididn’twanttothinkBerniewasajunkybutrealitykepthittingmeoverthehead.OnedaywhenIopenedtheclubIfoundacookeronthebar.Acookerisahomemadespoonlikedevicewhichisusedtoheatanddissolvedrugsinwaterthatcanbeinjected.IhadlockedupthenightbeforeandonlyBerniehadanotherkey.Hedidn’thavemuchofareplywhenIshowedittohim.HiscoverwascompletelyblownacoupleweekslaterwhenIwalkedinonhimathisloftinthemidstofshootingup.Heassuredmehehaditundercontrolandonlyusedeveryonceinawhile.HeshowedmewherehekepthisstashincaseIhadtogetridonitinanemergency.NowallIhadtodowasbelievehehadtheextraordinaryself-controltouseaddictivedrugsinacasual,recreationalmanner. Crimeandviolencewerecommonplaceintheneighborhood.Onthosenightswhentherewasmoneyleftattheendofevening,Ibroughtthecashhomewithme.Iputthemoneyinmyshoesforthesevenblock,4AMstrollthoughtheurbanjungle.Ioftenpassedabodylyingonthesidewalk.Whethertheyweresleeping,passedoutordead,Ididn’tknow.IfeltbadaboutleavingthemlyingonthegroundbutIjustwantedtomakeithomeinonepiece.Myfirstcoupleofmonthsthere,MayandJuneweregood.Wehadgreatmusicandreasonablesizeaudiences.Inmidsummer,however,NewYorkCityfallsintoarestlessstupor.Anyonethatcan,leavestown.LarryCoryellwasanexception.Hecamebackmidsummeranddrewagoodcrowd.SteveMarcuswasonsopranosax.Theclubhadonlyonemicrophonethatrantoapowerfulamplifierandspeakersthroughout.Mostoftheplayersgotbyonthat,astheywereacousticbands.Notthisband.Theyhadelectricguitar,bassandkeys

withtheirownamps.Steveplayedthesaxthroughthehousemike.Hecrankedthatbabyup,stuckhishornrightintothemikeandblewaway.Everyoneelsecrankeduptomeethislevel.Thesoundwasearshattering.Mike Mandel the blindbutloquaciouskeyboardplayerintroducedhisnewcomposition,OedipusRex,theKingofCunnalingus. Theroomwassojammedfullwithwhitecollegeagedfanthattheynearlysatonthestage.Thewaitresscouldnotgettothetables.Thesekidsapparentlyfeltshieldedbytheanonymityofthe

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crowd.Theystartedpassingjointsaround.Thiswasnotcool!TheBoardofHealthortheNYPDwouldhaveshutusdowninaminute.Imaginethechutzpahittookin1972tocommitafelonyinaveryexposedplace.Righteousindignationisoneofmyfavoriteemotions!SoIwadedintothecrowdtotelltheseguystheycouldn’tdothat.Afewresisted.Myangerswitchflippedon!Myvoiceracheteduptocompetewiththeband.MyeyesbulgedoutandIletoutastringofcursewordsandthreatstocurlyourtoes.Thejointsdisappeared.Larryfinishedthesetandthecrowdfiledout,exceptforoneguywhowassittingonachair,rightinthemiddleoftheroom.Everyonehadleft.Therewasjustme,Jimthebartenderandtheguyinthechair.Iyelled“Yo,man.Timetogo.Weareclosingup.”Noresponse.Iwalktoimmediatelyinfrontofhim.“Heymanweareclosingup!”Nothing.Ishookhisshoulders.Nothing.Jimcomesoverandblowsaloudwhistleinhisear.Nothing!Ipouraglassofwateronhishead.Nothing.Jimgrabsahandfuloficefrombehindthebarandputsitdownhisshirt.NothingIsaytoJim.“Ithinkwehavetocallanambulance.Thisisnotgoingtobegood.”Jimsays.“ThecopshaveusontheirshitlistsinceLeewaskilled.”“Yeahbutwhatelsecanwedo?”

Justthenanotheryoungmaninahighlyagitatedstatecomesin.Hespotstheguyinthechair.“What’sgoingon?I’vebeenlookingalloverforhim.”Ireply.”Idon’tthinkhe’sdeadyet.Idon’tknowhowheisstayinginthechair.Buthe’sunconscious.Weareabouttocallanambulance.”“Shit!”Herunsacrossthefloorandkicksthechairatfullspeed.Thechairandtheguygoflyingacrosstheroomandlandedonthesawdustfloor.Theguygainsenoughawarenesstogettohisknees.Hisfriendgrabshimunderhisshoulders,pullshimtohisfeetanddragshimtowardthedoor.

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Hesays,“Comeonasshole.Theyareclosingthisplaceup.You’regoingtogetusintroubleagain.”Outtheywent,nevertobeseenagain.THEAPARTNENTOurapartmentwasonthe3rdfloor,therooftoplevel.Theskylightaboveourbed,wasapparentlyonthewell-traveledroutethattheteenagedrooftopdwellerusedtogetaroundtheblock.Wewouldlayinbedandwatchkids,junkies,thievesorwhoevertheywerescrambleacrosstheglass.WehadalargepicturewindowlookingoutacrossthedeckandthetreetopsofTompkinsSquarePark.Thewindowwasenclosedinheavymetalgratesbehindinchthickironbars.Sowefeltfairlysafeinside.Thetrickwasgettinginside.MybrotherinlawStevenwasnotsolucky.Hewas22yearsoldand6foot6.Butheightdoesn’tmeanmuchagainstagun.TheonlytimehecametovisitushetookthetrainfromLongIsland,walkedseveralblockstoourplaceandrangthebell.Iwenttoanswertheintercomandheardalotofcommotion.Stevenwasbeingrobbedatgunpointrightonthestepstoourapartment!Thesametypeofthinghappenedattheclub.Onenight,justastheshowwasabouttostart,aguystaggeredthroughthefrontdoor,withhisheadbleedingfromawound.HewasbabblinginFrench,hehadverylittleEnglish.Wefinallyfiguredoutwhathadhappened.Hecametotheclubinacab.Hehadhiswalletouttopaythedriverwhenaguycameupbehindhimbrandishingagun.TheFrenchmanmadethemistakeofresisting.Thethiefhithimintheheadwithhisgun,grabbedthewalletandtookoffdownthestreet.Ihelpedhimgetcleanedup,boughthimadrinkandtoldhimSlugswouldpayforhiscabridehome.Buthewasn’tgoinghome.Hey,RoyHaineswasplaying!Bleedingheadornot.Afterwhathehadgonethroughtogethere,hewasdamnedifhewasgoingtomissRoyHaines!FINANCIALNEGOTIATIONIcametoworkearlytocleanupbeforeopening.WehadnomoneysoIbecamethejanitor.WedidhaveabartenderthatkeptthatareaneatbutifanythingelsehadtobedoneitwasuptoBernieorme.AndBerniewasn’taroundthatoften.InretrospectIrealizedthatBerniedidn’tstayintheclubthatoftenbecausepeoplewouldknowwheretofindhim.Therewerealotofpeoplehedidnotwanttalkto.

RoyHaines

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About6o’clockaguycomesinwearingacheaplookingsummersuitwithashark’stoothonagoldchainaroundhisneck.Alligatorshoesandslickedbackhair,hereekedofafter-shave.Hewasverybig.Itwasasifweaskedcentralcastingtosendastreetlevelmafiasoldier.HeintroducedhimselfasGinoandaskedifBerniewasin.Itoldhim“No”“Doyouexpecthimsoon?”“Hardtosay,hecomesinmostdaysbutnoregulartime”“I’llwaitherealittlewhileincaseheshowsup.”“CanIhelpyouwithsomething?”Isay.“IhavesomebusinessIneedtodiscusswithBernie.I’lljustwaitalittlewhile.”GinoplantshimselfinachairandIgooncleaningup.Ginowasnotapatientguy.Afterabout10minuteshestartsgettingjittery.Inafewminuteshe’supandpacing.“Ihavetotakecareofsomeotherbusiness.I’llbebackinanhour.Ifhecomesintellhimtowaitforme.“HeheadsforthedoorbutjustthenBerniewalksin.Theynearlycollideattheentrance.GinointroduceshimselfandexplainsheisrepresentingJerry,oneoftheguysthatBernieboughtthebusinessfrom.Bernieimmediatelygetsdefensive.“IfJerryneedstotalktomehecantalkhimself.”“He’soutofthecountry,soheaskedmetohelphimout”‘Idon’tknowyou!MydealiswithJerry”“JerryisinIndiaandhehassomeunfinishedbusinesswithyou.I’mtryingtohelphimout.That’swhatIdo.Ihelppeopleout.““Wedon’tneednohelp.I’lltakecareofit.”“Letmeexplainhowthisworks.YoustilloweJerry$10,000fromwhenyouboughtthebusiness,right?

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“That’smybusiness.”saysBernie.“Itwasyourbusinessbutyoufailedtokeepupwiththeterms.NowIaminvolvedtohelpJerry.YouseehewenttoIndiaonhisspiritualquestorsomeshitandheneededthatmoneytomakethetrip.SoIlentJerrythemoney.Nowyouowemethemoney.”“Idon’toweyounothing!“Bernie’svoicegetsanotchlouder.“IthinktheFBIwouldliketoknowaboutthis!”“WhatthefuckareyoutalkingaboutFBI?”Andtheygooff!Bernie’sbarelydiscernibleBahamianaccentagainstGino’sLittleItalydialect.Pacingthefloor,armsflailing,thevolumegoingupwitheachvolley.Idon’tknowwhatBerniewassaying.JustalotofBahamiansoundinggibberishheavilylacedwithvariationsonthe“FBI.”GinocounteredwithItaliancursesmostofwhichIunderstoodfrommyItalianAmericanupbringing.Isteppedbackafewpaces.Thesearebigboyswithacombinedweightofatleast500pounds.IfthisgoestoblowsIdidnotwanttobecollateraldamage.AfteralittlewhileGinothrowsuphishandsbacksaway.Ithinkherealizesthisisnotarationaldiscussion.Bernieisnotabouttogivethisguy10grand.“Iwillbeback!Youoweme$10,000plusinterest.”YellsGinoasheexits.“Yeah,theFBIwantstoknowaboutthisinterest!”Bernieyellsafterhim.Bernie,stillaggravated,saystome.“Thatmotherfuckerthinkshe’satoughguy.”“DidyouseehowuptighthegotwhenImentionedabouttheFBI!”“He’soneofthoselowendMafiaguys.TheyshittheirpantswhenyoubringintheFBI.Heain’tgoingtodoshit.”OnlythingthatwasmoreridiculesthanBerniecomingupwith$10,000wastheideaofhimvoluntarilygoinganywherenearalawenforcementofficersuchastheFBI.Wewerebarelycoveringoperatingexpenses,whichdidnotincludeanysalaryforme.Itwasanallcashbusiness.Tomyknowledge,therewasnobankaccountletaloneoperatingcapital.Themusiciansgotfrom$600to$1,200fortheweekfortheband!Thebartenderwassmartenoughtotakehispayoutofthecashregistereverynight.Iwasfortunatetohaveawifewithajobthatpaidtherent.Ireceivedabout$1,000payfortheentire6monthsthatIworkedthere(thatisnotatypo,4digits)AsirresponsibleasBerniewas,Ihavetogivehimcreditforoneimportantthing.Hebookedgreattalent.Therewasneveranyrestrictiononthemusic.Thestage

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belongedtothemusicians!Iwasoftenamazedatthequalityofplayershegottoworkinthissmallclubthatcouldnotaffordtopayanythingnearwhattheywereworth.McCoyTynerwasaprimeexample.McCoywasrenownasanintegralmemberoftheColtrane’strailblazingquartet.HisextendedsoloonMyFavoriteThings,helpedmakethattuneperhapsthemostwellknowandlovedpieceofmodaljazz.Forallthepowerinhisplaying,heseemedquiteshy.Heturnedthepianoaroundsohewasblockedfromviewoftheaudience.AtfirstIthoughtthiswasaccidental.SoIturnedthepianoaroundsothepatronscouldseehimasheplayed.Whenhecametothegigheturneditback.

McCoyTyner

SonnyFortunewasonsaxophoneandCalvinHillplayedthebass.Theyplayedagreatset.AttheendoftheeveningCalvinHillaskedmeifitwassafetoleavehisbassintheclubovernight.Ishowedhimthe5inchthickdoorwith3locksandthetripwirewhichwasaaboutafootofftheground.Ifsomeonehititanalarmwassupposedtobetriggered.(Ineversawitwork.)Therewasnootherdoororwindowentrance(Talkaboutafiretrap!Anoldwoodenfloorcoveredwithsawdustand1narrowdoorway) WhenIcametoworkthenextdayIwasshockedtofindthedoorunlocked.IthoughtBerniemusthavecomeinearlybuthewasnotthere.NeitherwastheliquornorCalvin’sbass.Inthebackoftheclub,neartherestroomswasanairventthatwentintothehallwayandstairstotheapartmentsabovetheclub.Thieveshadenteredthebuildingthroughthehallway,tornouttheventandbrokedownenoughofthewalltocrawlthrough.Oncetheygotintheyunlockedthedoorsandmadeoffwithalltheycouldcarry.Needlesstosay,Iwasquitedistressed!Amazingly,inaboutahalfhouroneofthelocalmusiciansshowedupwithCalvin’sbass!“Iwascominghomeabout4amwhenIseenthiscatrunningdownthestreetwiththebass!”hesaid.“Iknewsomethingwasupbythewayhewasdraggingtheinstrument.Andhelookedlikeajunkie.AndIknewSlug’swasrightaroundthecorner.Hewasinbadshape,likeheneededafixrightway.SoIgavehim$10.andhetookoffleavingmewiththebass.”Unbelievable!Thereyouhavethedichotomyofthescene.Itwasdreadfulthatthievesweresodesperatethattheyrippeddownthewall.Anditwasbeautifulthatthebasscameback,itseems,throughthepowerofthejazzcommunity.

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DESPERATION Itwasagreatrelieftohavethebassbackbutalltheliquorwasgone!InNewYorkState,holdersofliquorlicensesmustbuytheirliquorfromawholesaler.Wealreadyowedthatguyalotofmoneysohewasnotlikelytorestockthebar.Fortunatelythebeerwasontap.Thethiefcouldn’ttakethat.Iscrapedupafewbucksandboughtcheapbottlesofgin,vodkaandscotch.Wehadtohavesomethingtoselltocustomers.I’llneverknowifthisburglarywassetupbyGinoorjustaco-incidencetohappenrightafterhisthreats.

ItwasAugustandthenextactbookedwasChicoHamilton,thewestcoastdrummer.Hetraveledwithhisbrother/managerTommy.FrommypointofviewtheywerethenicestguysthatplayedatSlug’s.Theysatandtalkedtomeandtreatedmelikeacolleague.Theirmusicwasadvancedbutaccessible.Chicowasfamousforhiringgoodyoungplayersespeciallyguitarists.Thisbookingwasnoexception.OnguitarhehadanunknownJohnAbercombiejustatthebeginningofanillustriouscareer.Healsohadayoungsaxophonistwhoplayedhishornthroughanelectricprocessingdevicethatdistortedthesoundlikeaguitarwha-whapedal.Itdidnotmixwellwiththesoundoftheband.IguessChicowastryingtobecontemporarybutthisbandwasnotChico’sfinesthour.

ThelowereastsideofNYCinAugustwashot,stickyanduncomfortable.Anybodywhocouldgetoutoftownleft.Ifyouhadtostayintown,youstayednexttotheairconditioning.VeryfewmadeittoSlugs.Asalways,afewsupportivemusiciansshowedup.FreddyHubbardwasamongthem.Unfortunatelyhewasveryhigh,certainlyonalcoholandwhoknowswhatelse.Andhewasembarrassinglyloudfromhisperchatthebar.“Whatisthisshit?Thisain’tChico’smusic!Thisisthosekidshe’splayingwith.That’swhynobodycomes!Iplayhere,Ipacktheplace.”

Chicotookitinstride. Hewasbookedfor6nightsataverylowrate.Afterthesetonthesecondnightheaskedtogetsomeofhispay.Therewasalmostnothinginthecashregister.Hewassupposedtoget$600.forthewholebandfortheweek.Hewantedhalfnow.Thiswastotallyreasonable.Ilookedinthecashregister.Jimhastakenouthispayleavinglessthan$100.Berniehadbeenworkingonadealtomovetheclubtolargerbuildinginasaferneighborhood.HehadpickedoutabuildingonThompsonStreetintheVillage.We

ChicoHamilton

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wenttolookatitoneafternoonwithGeorge,ayoungblackmanwhoworkedwithagroupthatwassupposedtohelpdevelopminorityownedbusinesses.BerniehadafantasyofopeningupthenewbuildingwithPharaohSaundersperforming.Pharaohwasattheheightofhispopularity.HewasconsideredtobethemajorspiritualandmusicaldescendentofJohnColtrane.BernietoldmePharaohhadanexclusivecontractthatlimitedhimtoplayingonlyinSlugswhenheplayedonManhattaninNYC.IneversawhimanywherenearSlugs.AlthoughonetimeBernieandIranintohimonthestreet.Hetoldustocheckwithhismanagertobookadate.Thatneverhappened.Anyway,backtoChicoHamilton.Wehadnomoneytopayhim.DesperatewetriedtoplacatehimbypromisingthathewouldbeonadoublebillwithPharaohatthepremierofthenewSlugsintheVillage.SomehowIwasdesignatedastheonetellthistoChico.AsIwasheardmyselfexplainthatwehadnomoneyrightnowbutwearegoingtogivehimthisgreatopportunitytoplayinthisclubwedidn’tyethave,IrealizedhowbogusIsounded.Chicoreactionwassomethinglikethis;“KnockoffthisMuttandJeffroutineyouandBerniearetryingtorun.Ineedmymoney!"Ifeltlikeshit.Icouldhandlecleaningupandsweepingthefloor.EverydayIhadtotakewhatmoneywehadtorestockthebarwiththecheapestliquorIcouldfindsowehad

somethingtosellthatevening.Icoulddealwiththatalongwithnopay.ButIcouldnothandlefeelinglikeafraud.Notbeingabletopaywhatwehadpromisedtothemusicianswastoomuch.IhadbeenmotivatedbythinkingIwaspartofsomethinggreat.Wewereprovidingaspaceforoutstandingperformerstopresenttheirart.Now,Iwasanxietyriddenandashamed.Iwasjustanotherwhiteguyexploitingthemostlyblackmusicians.Ihatedthat!ThenextweekwehadJoeHenderson.IthasbeensaidthatforthefirstcoupleyearsofagreatjazzmusicianscareertheycallhimaYoungLion

andthelastfewyearstheyareOldMasters.Theycanmakesomedecentmoneyinthebeginningandendbutthe20or30yearsinbetweencanbeastruggle.JoewasabitpasttheYoungLionstage.Infact,hehadquitplayingforawhileandthisappearanceatSlugswassupposedtobepartofhiscomeback.Thefirstnightofhisgig,justbeforehewassupposedtohit,Joecameinveryupset.

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“ChicoHamiltonisoutsidesayinghehasn’tbeenpaid.”Hesays.IassuredhimthatSlug’salwayspaidthemusicianandChicowillgetpaid.Iwouldhavepaidhimoutofmyownpocketiftherewasanymoneyinit.InmyheartIhadlittlefaiththatthemoneywouldbepaid.AlotofJoe’smusicianfriendsshoweduptosupporthimbutnotmanyofthegeneralpublicmadeit.ItwasSlug’spolicynottochargeadmissiontomusicians.Itwasnotalucrativeweek.WehadhopedtomakeenoughfromJoetopayChico.Nowitlookedlikeweweregoingtoowebothofthem.THELASTSTRAWIhadtotakeabreak.MywifeandItookacoupleofdaysofftovisitfriendsinWoodstock,intheCatskillsabout100milesnorthoftheCity.Whatarefreshingchange.Themountainsandfreshairseemedtowashawaythegritandsmogofthecity.Thelovelyvillagegreenwherecraftstoresandartistgalleriesmixedwithhardwarestoresandautorepairshops.TheSixtieswerestillsaliveasyoungpeopleflockedtothetownsearchingforthefieldswherethegiantmusicfestivalwas.Thathistoriceventborethenameofthetownbutwasactually50milestothesouth.Wehadagreat,relaxingfewdays.Reluctantlyweheadedbacktothecity.Whenwegottoourapartmentthedoorwaswideopen.Therehadbeenonlyonethingofvalueintheplace,agoodqualitystereorecordplayer.Itwasgone.Asbestwecouldfigure,thethievescameovertheroofontoourpatio.Withahacksawtheycutoutoneoftheironthebarsonthewindow.Thentheyusedthebartoprythegrateenoughtofitanarminholdingaboltcutterandcutthecombinationlockthatheldthegrateinplaces.Thiswasprettymuchthelaststraw.OurWoodstockfriendsofferedtoputusupintheirhouseandgavemeajobintheirfactoryuntilwegotonourfeet.Butthat’sadifferentstory.ItwasOctoberwhenweleftNYC.Slug’sclosedbeforetheendoftheyear.IwassadtohearithadclosedbutawfullygladIwasn’tthereforthedeaththrows.Afterward.Idon’tthinkBerniewasavillain.Todaytheymightsayhesufferedfromposttraumaticstress.BesidesthedailytensionofrunninganightclubinperhapsthetoughestneighborhoodinNYC,LeeMorganwasshottodeathrightinfrontofhim.Hetookthegunoutofthewoman’shand.Noonesaid“GeeBernie,thatmusthavebeenterrible.Howareyoufeeling?”In1972wedidn’tknowmuchabout“emotionalsupport”Isitanywonderthathefoundreliefinnarcotics?JustsittingherewritingthesewordsIcanfeelmyownanxietyrising.

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WhenIleft,Berniesworehewouldgetme$12,000whichiswhatIwasexpectedtobepaidformywork.Ineversawthemoney.Infact,IneversawBernieagain.Idon’tknowifJoeorChicoorGinoorJerryevergotpaid.Twiceoverthelast45yearsIheardhewasinFlorida.PandB’sparentsdidn’tgettheirmoneybackbuttheydidgetthepianofromSlugs.ItwasbroughttoaUniversalistchurchinupstateNewYorkwheretheparentswerecongregants.FrancescaTanksley,thebrilliantpianistand,inmyopinionthemostaccomplisheddiscipleofMcCoyTyner,alsobelongedtothatcongregationandshehadtheopportunitytoplayit.WhenjazzfollowersandfansmeetthereissometimesanunacknowledgedcompetitionthatIcall“HipperThanThou”Theplayersareanytwoormorefolksthataretryingtoimpressoneanotheraboutthereknowledgeandpersonalinteractionwithjazzandmusicians.Thisisusuallyafriendlywaytogetknowsomeone.Butsometimesitcangetabitantagonistic.Foryears,wheneverIfoundmyselfinthissituationwhereIfelttheotherpersonisalittletoofullofthemself,IletslipabitofmySlugsexperienceandthecompetitionisover.IgotalotofstreetcredsfromafewmonthsatSlugs.RecentlyIwasouttodinneratarestaurantwhereajazztriowasplaying.ThesewereolderseasonedplayerswhoIknewalittle.IwasverysurprisedtheyhadneverheardofSlugs.SoIdecidedtotrytoimmortalizeatleastasmuchasIhadexperienced.It’salittlebitofjazzhistory.Ihopeitwon’tbelostforever.MUSICIANWHOPLAYEDSLUGSWHILEIWASTHEREthatIcanremember.*MaxRoach,OdeanPope,ChicoHamilton,JohnAbercrombie,GlenMoore,LarryCoryell,SteveMarcus,AlphonseMouson,JoeHenderson,Jo-AnnBrackeen,HalGalpers,BobbyHumphries,ArchieSheppRashiedAli,JimmyGarison,PaulChambers,JuniorCook,McCoyTyner,CalvinHill,GeorgeGable,FreddyHubbard,LeonThomas,PeeWeeEllis,SunRa(andthe20piecearkestra)JohnGilmore,PatPatric(fatherofDevalPatricgovernorofMass},SunnyMurray,JohnBlair,RoyHaynes,DonPullen,GeorgeAdams,DougCarns,JackieMcClean,ClifordJordanandMikeMandelHalGalpurs.Ihopeyouenjoyit.Areyouimpressed?AmIhipenough?TomColelloApril2019Saugerties,NY