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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>To: some musical friends, DJML<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From: Norman Vickers, Jazz Pensacola<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Today is birthday anniversary for the late Brazilian/American guitarist Laurindo Almeida.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>He and I became friends when he appeared for our second Pensacola JazzFest in 1984. It was an unusual event in that our three guest artists were all guitarists.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chuck Wayne had performed for us as the solo out of town artist for our first JazzFest. He had been guitarist for George Shearing’s quintet when Shearing first came to the US. When he resigned that position, guitarist-whistler—jazz chromatic harmonicist Jean “Toots” Thielemans had replaced Wayne in the quintet.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Brazilian/American guitarist Laurindo Almeida had come to the US in the late 1940s. He explained that he’d been playing in a Brazilian casino when a reform president had come in and closed the casinos, so it was a good time to immigrate to the U. S. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Laurindo joined the Stan Kenton orchestra and rode the bus for three years, learning English simultaneously. Parenthetically, he had some wonderful expressions somewhat on the “blue” but expressive side. Surprised, I’d ask, “Laurindo, where did you learn that expression?” Answer was always the same, “ With Kenton!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At any rate, Laurindo was friendly, accommodating and a charming person who was articulate and spoke with a slight Portuguese accent.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Over the years, we had Laurindo back about 3 or 4 times. Subsequently, he always came with his wife, Deltra Eamon Almeida. She was a lyric soprano and Laurindo wrote some wonderful arrangements for her. So when he came, we always made an opportunity for “Didi” to sing for us, too.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Laurindo had a quartet in LA. It included bassist Ray Brown. They couldn’t travel as a group since all had other commitments, but made some great recordings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>He did travel as a duo with Ray Brown and told some wonderful stories about those adventures.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>He also traveled with the Modern Jazz Quartet for the their 20<sup>th</sup> and 40<sup>th</sup> anniversaries. After he completed the MJQ 40<sup>th</sup> anniversary tour, He remarked to me when recounting their adventures, “ None of us are spring roosters anymore!” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In the early 90’s, after Dick Gibson’s annual Labor Day jazz party had shut down, There was a jazz festival in Los Angeles, located at the Marriott Airport facility.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I would fly in a day early and then drive north to Laurindo’s home in Northridge, CA and the three of us would go to dinner to celebrate his birthday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>His home was at the top of a high hill overlooking the San Fernando valley.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The last visit, before his death from a recurrent stomach cancer, was in a rented home—he fortunately had earthquake insurance. The Northridge earthquake had damaged his home and destroyed his 5 grammy awards. He had gotten new replacements from the Academy, still in their boxes. I wanted him to open all five so I could get a photo but he allowed us to open one for the photo.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>So, I just wanted to share this reminiscence and memory of a wonderful man and superb musician. He told great stories about his career in the movie and music industry. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Happy birthday, Laurindo! Suggestion: celebrate Laurindo’s birthday by choosing some of his works on YouTube.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Norman Vickers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>www.jazzpensacola.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>