[Dixielandjazz] Who and Where We Are ???

[Charles Suhor]

Wow! Amazing career, Al. And at  83, I especially admire your coming through huge health problems with good spirits. Plus, your tastes in music are similar to mine. Bach, Bartok, Bird, Bix—that sort of mix. 

Charles

> 
> 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 <http://alevy.com/>_______________________________________________
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