April 17, 2024

At some point during the summer of 2020, I realized that I was going to be home without traveling and touring for the longest period of time since I was a teenager. No more excuses about not having enough time to do this or that or not finishing unfinished things.
One of those tasks on my hope deferred list was the sorting of several suitcases of photographs. Some shot by me, some from the family archives and some gifted to me by various photographer friends.

One of those photographer friends is a pillar on the scene and of the community in the Crescent City, Pat Jolly.
Pat was one of the first folks I met when I moved to New Orleans, most likely at an Astral Project gig somewhere outside the academic ark of Loyola University where I was studying in 1988.
She was at every parade and club date and festival that happened and wherever the music was beating, I was sure to follow and sure to see Pat listening and grooving with her Canon in hand.

Anyway, back to the suitcases of images and one photograph I uncovered that brought back memories of our time in New Orleans during the early nineties.
The title of this writing could or should be : "THE REASON WE CAN PLAY ANYTHING"
"THE REASON MY MOTHER AND I HAVE THE SAME RECORDS"

"THE REASON WE CAN WALK ON STAGE WITH OUR HEADS HELD HIGH" is because of the man at the center of the image.
A H M A D JA M A L !
Recording since the 1950's, Ahmad remained active for over six decades until his passing on April 16, 2023 at the age of ninety-two.

Ahmad was our hero and champion, not only because of his mastery of architecture and economy and power of expression through music, but for us as young musicians, he was the shining example of dignity and poise and he cleared the path for us with his vision.
Pat Jolly shot this photograph inside one of those trailers behind the stage during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 25, 1992, most likely just after Ahmad’s set at the jazz tent.

From left to right stands Chris Thomas, Eric Reed, Ahmad, Herlin Riley and myself. I was wondering why our dear friend Peter Martin was not in this photograph because during these days, Chris was renting an upright Steinway from Hall Piano Co. at his apartment on Constance Street and most every morning, Peter and I would meet at Chris' place to practice and learn the Ahmad Jamal Trio arrangements featuring Israel Crosby on bass and native New Orleanian Vernel Fournier on drums. We had absolutely no gigs whatsoever on the horizon, but the music demanded dedication and sacrifice, plus it was just fun. Bless God for Charlie Bering because that year, he opened his new place called Charlie B’s at 829 Convention Center Blvd. and he gave us a gig on the weekends from 2AM to 6AM!

Talk about the graveyard shift, but we played our hearts out for the one or two late night drunkards that wandered in for the after hours hang.
Anyway, many memories come to mind when I see this image, but mostly, I remember this ;
as Pat Jolly was about to shoot the shot of Ahmad and Herlin, some gentleman in the room shouted,

“You boys get in the picture”.
Now, no harm or offense registered for me as I was awestruck by Ahmad’s presence and I would have believed the best of whomever made the suggestion. Nevertheless, before a second passed and with a sincere and shining smile, Ahmad spoke with conviction and correction by saying, "THESE ARE MEN”.
In that moment, all his greatness was reaffirmed. Even though we were essentially boys on our way to manhood, I realized much later why those few words Ahmad spoke had stuck with me. In our defense, he was protecting us from an unconscious and possibly demeaning seed taking root in our minds that might threaten to diminish our awareness and worth.
He had lived through generations of disregard and racism and invisible hatred becoming manifest and on our behalf, his eldership and mentorship and guardianship caught it at the gate.
For so many reasons, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU AHMAD!

KIDS ON STONER HILL are listening to :

• ⁃  Portfolio of Ahmad Jamal (Argo LP 2638) 1959

• ⁃  The Awakenings by The Ahmad Jamal Trio (Impulse AS 9194) 1970

• ⁃  The Ahmad Jamal Trio with Israel Crosby and Vernel Fournier in 1959 performing "Darn That Dream" (by

  Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange)

Pat Jolly

February 19, 2024

J I M M Y   C A R T E R 

Back when I was six or seven years old, before I knew who Abraham Lincoln was, I knew about this man from Plains, Georgia. Our thirty-ninth president, Jimmy Carter.  What a race you have run and we thank the Lord for you and your life of service for ninety-nine years!
The Race of Faith
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

KIDS ON STONER HILL are listening to: 
"Midnight Rider” by The Allman Brothers Band from Idlewild South 
(ATCO Records) 1970
"Winter In America" by Gil Scott-Heron / Brian Jackson and The Midnight Band from 
The First Minute of a New Day 
(Arista A 4030) 1975