[Dixielandjazz] Who and Where We Are ???

[alevy at alevy.com]

1) Who are you?,
Al Levy - Age 86 

2) Where are you?,
Houston Texas (really a New Yorker) 

3) Musician?, 
I think so. I was hired by Sy Oliver in 1950. I was 18 years old.
I studied with and worked for Sy, Dick Jacobs and Johnny Warrington from 1950 - 1955.
Got my bachelors and masters degrees from Manhattan School of Music in 1955.
I never had a "real" job.

I  earned enough money to buy a house, couple of cars, send my kids to college
by playing piano, writing arrangements, editing music and teaching.

4) When did you join this august list?
I think it was 1993 or '94. It was after I used "Finale" software. A friend had me
join a 78 rpm record collectors group and somebody on that list referred me
to this group. The "buzz word" at that time was "okum." 

I played my last concert here in Texas a year or so ago at North Star College.
While teaching at San Jacinto College (Houston) I had the good fortune of
playing two concerts along with Maynard! You know - the trumpet player.
---------------------
December 2016 - I was diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer. The same as our 
Hawaiian senator. After being examined by the medical, surgical, radiation and 
chemo specialists at M.D. Anderson, I was told I had three or four months to live. 
"Go home, go on hospice and enjoy what you have left."

I received a call form a doctor at Memorial Hermann (Houston Medical Center).
"Come on in!" I went, what did I have to lose?
Doc said he had a treatment, not meant for what I had, but it wouldn't hurt to try.
Okay, let's give it a shot.
The treatment calls for infusions every other week for a year. 
An M.R.I. every six weeks just to check.

Bottom line: after the first treatment, I was cured. 
The cancer went away never to come back.
I had an M.R.I.  two weeks ago and I am still clean.
I am reporting this because you might know someone with the same problem.
My doctor calls me the "Poster boy" for Bristol Meyers. They manufacture Optiva.
It shouldn't have worked, but it did. Feel free off list if you need more details.
------------------------
2017 - I had my 4th bypass surgery. For some reason my right leg is
swollen with water. My driving days are over. (no feeling in that leg)
I am getting physical therapy and I love it. 

My wife and I will celebrate our 64th wedding anniversary on Sept. 12th this year.
Although I am not performing any more, (I'm not really a good pianist, anyway),
I listen to music from Bach to Bartok and Bunk to Monk and beyond.

I am very, very fortunate. I grew up with the best, at the right time in the right place.
I learned to appreciate performers for what they are.

When I read the posts about "THE DUKES", I remember my first weeks with Sy.
Recording dates with "Pops" (Satchmo), Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters et al.

As a young "know it all" I dug Bird, Bud, Dizzy and that crowd. To my mind all the
rest was old fashioned, out of date and not worth listening to.
I grew up, very fast. More to come... if you want it.
Cheers,
Al
Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Conductor, Teacher and Music Prep.
Please visit me at
http://alevy.com
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