Carl Medsker

I kid my children that they owe their very existence to jazz…. Freshly graduated from a midwest college in 1974 I had two options for work. Fortunately for them, and me, I chose Philadelphia largely due to the vibrant jazz scene. Soon I was at Third Street Jazz record shop almost every Saturday and hearing nearly every performer who visited the Empty Foxhole. Plus other venues around town and in NYC. Then there was WRTI and Harrison Ridley Jr. to listen to and learn from. Milt Jackson, Diz, and Bird brought me into the music. Once I was living in Philly my ears grew rapidly: McCoy Tyner, Art Farmer, Blakey, Gordon, Newk, Jim Hall, Miles, Monk, Mal, and CT. Plus Jarrett, Archie Shepp, Anthony Braxton, the Art Ensemble, Air, Sun Ra, Khan Jamal, Sumi Tanooka, Byard Lancaster, and many more. In person during just my first 5 years in Philly! I am deeply grateful for the beauty and passion and creativity they gifted to all present at those shows. Jazz is a music that needs to be heard live and shared with others. So to those who are new to the music I encourage you to experience it live as much as possible and listen broadly to expand your ears. My children grew up with and also developed, along with my wife, a love of jazz that we have all shared at numerous concerts together over the years. So very grateful - yes indeedy.