A story with a happy end (or, so far so good)
This is a very short version
In 1959, after studying music at the Military School of Music „Kneller Hall“ in Twickenham GB,
I returned back to my regement the kings Shropshire Light Infantry in Münster, Germany.
One year later, during this posting, I met a gentleman named Bob Bernard
who had also just arrived back from Kneller Hall . We formed a small group and started playing down town. Me playing the guitar and singing and Bob on Keyboard. Although I was interested in jazz, our repertoire consited of popular music of that time “
It`s Been A Hard Days Night“, „Yesterday“,“ Can`t Buy Me Love“, and so on, music which had nothing to do with Jazz but we had a great time.
After
listening to jazz recordings of Charlie parker, Cannanball Aderly Sonny Stit and so on I decided, after playing clarinet for several years, to start studyung saxophone.
To cut
a very long story short 53 years later.( I live in Germany Bob lives in Tumbridge Wells England. He`s 73 I`m 75 years old). I received an Email from Bob`s wife Pam saying that Bob has been trying to contact me for many years.
Any way we have since met. It was fantastic seeing each other after so many years. The funny thing is that we both ended up doing exactly the same thing. We are both music teachers play saxophone, flute ect. And both
run a Big Band and play regulary in local jazz clubs. Him in Tumbridge Wells, England and me in Soest, Germany.
I`m traveling to England
this year. Bob has organized three gigs. That means we`ll be playing together on the same stage and standing at the same bar for the first time since 53 years.