Friday, November 28, 2008

Joe Romano

Joe Romano.....April 17, 1935-November 26, 2008
Joe was the real deal. He lived the “jazz life” and his playing was authentic. The sound Joe had was from years on the road working and playing with the best cats out there. You can’t get it from a classroom, you have to live it. Working with Joe was a great learning experience for me. He pushed me to uncharted territory and we flew high on the band stand. Hearing of Joe's passing has not been easy for me. When Joe was on the gig I never felt uncomfortable. Joe always made me feel valid as a singer. His style of playing encouraged me to take musicale risks and he genuinely liked me and my work and trust me that’s not the case very often as we singers at best are a necessary evil for most musicians and I know who digs me and who doesn’t. He did and I loved him big time. We became friends and kept in touch all thru the years and gigged when we could. He was very giving and forgiving on and off the bandstand. He was a great hang too.. Thanks Joe for everything you shared with me. I have lost one of my brothers in deed. I gonna really miss you...