[Dixielandjazz] Excuses

[Bill Haesler]

Charles Suhor wrote [in part]:
> I always thought the leader had a right to be pissed if someone showed up at the 11.9th hour. 

Dear Charlie,
Back in the mid 1970s my band's regular tuba player (who always cut it fine) came rushing on-stage just at the trumpet player counted in the first tune; but was with us on the first note.
At the end of the tune, the trumpet player turned around and said irately "You should have been here earlier" to which the jovial Jim replied, "Why? What happened?
Laughter all round, situation defused.
Very kind regards,
Bill.