[Dixielandjazz] Lu Watters 100th Birthday Concert

[Robert Ringwald]

John Gill wrote:

Just to answer Moderator Bob Ringwald's question regarding the LuWatters concert. I'm sorry that news of the event did not make it onto the Dixieland Mailing List. This is no doubt my fault, but the truth of the matter is that the event was sold out almost immediately after the initial announcements last spring. Lu would have been 100 on December 19. We held the concert on Dec 4 because it was the only date in December we could nail down when we decided to do it.
So sorry for not mentioning it, but I felt funny about promoting a sold out event. It was not my intention to keep the information from those who actively keep up with The Dixieland Mailing List.
Respectfully
John Gill



Thanks John.  

I would have liked to have been there.  I was lucky enough to have met Lu and spent some time with him at his home in Cotati.  

The first time I visited Lu, I took a bunch of my YBJB LPs for him to autograph.  Surprisingly he wanted to hear them.  He pulled out an old record player and listened all afternoon.  He even drug out an  old horn, worked on getting the valves unstuck and was playing along with the records.  

He told me who was playing the various solos, him or Scobey.  He told me a lot of great stories which now I can't remember.  

The one thing I do remember is the title of "Emperor Norton's Hunch."  I asked him if it had anything to do with the idea of building the bridge across the bay, or with Emperor Norton, etc.  

Lu said no.  He just liked the word Hunch...  

Glad the concert was a success.  

Best,

--Bob Ringwald