Notes of Concern…
…Jackson Blair
AUTUMN LEAVES
As I write I am looking out at our autumn leaves. Yesterday I took a drive up into New Hampshire and marveled at how quickly the bright colors were appearing. It is a great season.
One of my favorite songs is Autumn Leaves.
I especially like to hear it on the piano.
When I first heard it was when the famous pianist Roger Williams was playing it. I am betting a lot of my readers also heard his rendition of Autumn Leaves “back in the day!”
Williams also played a wonderful rendition of Lara’s Theme from the movie Dr. Zhivago. Again, a great hit for those of us listening to piano music in the 60’s and 70’s.
Both of these songs really did not need words! They were outstanding in instrumental versions.
Roger Williams died this month. Perhaps it is “chance” that he died in the autumn season but I find something surreal about it. Also, it seems somewhat fitting that he should take his exit in the autumn.
In the late 1960’s I met Roger Williams in Pittsburgh, PA. Richard Nixon was a candidate for president and Roger Williams was the entertainment for the night. The event was held in Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena, probably more known for it’s retractable roof and as the home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. But in my memory it was the night I first heard Roger Williams play the piano.
I was politically active in those days and I had a pass that permitted me to go backstage. As I hurried back after the performance, with expectations of meeting Richard Nixon and other political notables, the only person I found was Roger Williams. He was open and friendly and kindly signed a piece of paper that I took home and taped to an album I owned of his work. It was as if all the important people had rushed off to important engagements and Roger was left behind. Today I wonder if Roger was maybe the most important person present that night…even though we didn’t realize it!
Although I never saw him again, I am aware that he played for presidents and kings, politicians, large audiences in major concert halls and he provided a great deal of dance and “making out” music for college students and young adults!
I had a chance encounter.
It was memorable and meaningful. Imagine how many chance encounters Mr. Williams must have had with people throughout his storied and successful career. And he must have known how much his music meant over the years.
Do yourself a favor. Put on a CD of Autumn Leaves and sit back and remember those days. That music is as hummable, memorable and as classic today as it was then.
Roger Williams.
A class act.
RIP
