Duke Ellington, Charlie Watts & Me

Chicago's. Second City Improv Theater,
decked out for St. Patrick's Day.

Paid a visit to the Windy City of Chicago over St. Patrick's Day weekend, and what a wonderful place it is! Took in the Chicago Art Institute which after 4 hours, your senses are overloaded by the beauty and history you are taking in.
To stand and gaze at Seurats huge painting "Afternoon In The Park" with it's thousands and thousands of what are up close, little tiny brushstrokes, and then step back in see then reform into people, parasol's, & dogs all in the park along the river.


It is truly awe inspiring. Then to walk into the next room and look at paintings from the 1400's. and to stare into them and wonder, where has this painting been, where was it in 1586? Time travel beyond words.

The Chicago Field Museum has an incredible new exhibit about Native Americans. I was so proud to see a whole section on Ohio's own Hopewell Culture, with many items from historic Chillicothe, the center of their civilization 2000 years ago.

The highlight of my visit was going to be a visit to Steve Maxwell's Vintage Drum Shop on Michigan Ave. Here they have vintage drumsets, some of which belonged to: Buddy Rich, Speedy Jones, Cozy Cole, and other greats.

The one I really wanted to see was Sonny Greers 1930's Drumset. Sonny Greer was Duke Ellington's drummer from 1924 - 1951. This kit is highly customized with hand painted initials on it. It is quite a beauty. I wanted to sit behind it close my eyes, and dream of what it has seen. The countless hours it traveled on the bus, night after night: " Ladies and gentleman The Duke Ellington Orchestra". To think of Songs Like: "Take The A Train," or "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing", being played on those drums, and the millions of people they entertained.

Upon entering the store I realized the Sonny Greer kit was not there. I mentioned this to the man behind the desk, he replied "Charlie Watts bought that. He has a large collection of vintage drums. He spent the whole afternoon here when the Stones played here last time and gave us all backstage passes. In fact he bought a Steve Maxwell kit for the Stones rehearsals they have before every show". I knew Charlie was a jazz fan all the way back in 1977, when my roommate Alex Vertikoff was hired to be the Stones second Engineer for what became the "Some Girls" album. Alex had told me that Charlie, Ian Stewart and Bobby Keys were always breaking into Dave Brubecks "Take Five". I saw Charlie in London 2 years ago with his 10 piece Jazz band, they were excellent!

I went on to share some untold jazz history about one of the first drummers in all of popular music who was from Columbus and toured all over the country with Jim Europe and his Orchestra, and the very famous English dance tea: Vernon & Irene Castle, back in 1916. His name was Carl "battle-axe" Kenny. I will share his story here soon.
Above is Buddy Rich's drum set which he played in the 1970's, the only drummer I have ever seen play a press roll with one hand!! The set is now at Steve Maxwell's fine drum shop.


My disappointment was soon turned to laughs at the Second City Improv Theater, where many of Saturday Night Lives stars have come from, and also Steve Carrell of The Office. As an added treat, two Hineygaters made themselves known after the show!!
Great time there, some totally improvised humor. 5 Stars.




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