I had a long time gig at a syndicate operated cabaret called "The Misty Ming" (tree). Just me singing the "American Song Book" in this very quiet, dark lounge, with a small u-shaped bar in the back corner...and a baby grand along one long wall *40 feet long with about 30 intimate, round tables surrounding. Dark and still, until the music started.

A beautify little musical abode where one came to listen to jazz, talk quietly or just listen to "sounds".

I had a Big Brandy Sniffer at the edge of the piano. This was in the 1959 to 1962 years, happy moments before beginning the "4-wives-thing-trial-series" over the next 40 years. Tips were good and "attendees" mannerful
and appreciative of the smooth love songs and up tempos...dreamy guitar player, (Ha,ha..what can I say at a much later day, 77years later.

One night, "Cleopatra" came in with a girlfriend and listened for a couple of sets, as I sat there playing, singing and sipping my ever-present Galliano-with-a-shot-of-Johnny-Walker mixed in a icy glass tumbler.

Ahh, I thought I was in heaven, especially when gorgeous "Cleopatra" invited me over for a nightcap. Nicer than a "C-Note Tip", for sure. Well, that's not quite true because when I entered her apartment we were surprised by the lound banging on the front vestibule door. She said, "Oh my God...that must be my boyfriend...I thought he was still in the slammer down in Stateville Prison"!!

Of course I flew down the back outside stairway and leaped into my 56 Austin Healy. A few miles down the road, I was forced over by a big, black Caddy. The guy leaned his head into the roadster, close to mine and whispered, "So I know who you are fella ...and where you work...you know "the rest", don't you buddy??!!

....So went life in the big windy city of Chicago... in much simpler days of yore! If Union Patriarch Ceasar Patrillo (Big ol'Local 5 Federation of Musicians), could see how the music biz is today...from what he left behind... He'd be playin' mournful tunes on his Stradivarius whilst spinning in his grave!!


Yamaha...Motif ES-8, Motif Rack, CS6X
Korg...Karma,Triton Classic, PA-80, M-1+
AkaiSampler-S5000, Roland.. X5080 Rack/G-1000 Arranger
Various Guitars/Basses Amps Pedals Rec.Equip.


Plus, BIAB 2015 and Sonar Platinum 2015 Upgrade from Cakewalk's Sonar X-3