Rest in Peace Ornette Coleman

The story behind this photo with Ornette:

In January 2007, Savoy had set up a CD signing for me and Vijay at the Tower Records IAJE room for our 2006 Raw Materials release. Ornette had just done one right before us for Sound Grammar. His was mobbed. No one came to ours . . . But Ornette hung out with us the whole time and told us all the important mechanics of jazz and improvisation in under an hour. I always wish I had recorded what he said.

In the end, I asked him if I could give him a CD and if he would listen to it. He grabbed his ears and said "You see these? Of course I'll listen!"

I always regretted not having a chance to speak to him again!