[Dixielandjazz] R.I.P. Bruce McNichols

[Stephen G Barbone]

We met for the first time about 1992 when we did a couple of gigs  
together. Discovered that we shared some Long Island roots, having  
played at the same venues, though never together, way back in the late  
1950s and early 1960s.. Places like the Hotel Carleton in Rockville  
Center and the Melody Lounge in Woodside.  We even shared some sidemen  
in those halcyon days. Like drummer Dick Sherman and trombonist Al  
(Jimmy) Winters. We told some great stories as we compared notes.

Since 1992, I did some memorable gigs with Bruce, or for Bruce, such  
as New Year's Even in 1999/2000 at the Bronx Zoo. It was  one of the  
funniest gigs I ever played and I never let him hear the end of it.

Like every one who knew, or worked with him, I loved the guy. He had  
such a positive outlook about the music as well as the music business  
and it showed in his gigs. Over the past 4 years or so, the gigs we  
did together at Fred's Farm were a highlight for me, as he brought  
together musicians I never would have met otherwise. They were far  
more studied than I was, yet they never ragged me for things like my  
inability to sight read.

I never heard him say a bad word about anyone musically or otherwise.  
He was an inspiration, a mensch.

RIP Bruce, you were among the best human beings on the planet and we  
were all lucky to be associated with you.

Steve Barbone