"German Train Station" by Gene Perla

"Summer of '97" by Larry Johnson

"German Train Station" by Gene Perla

Stone Alliance was on a European tour and travelling by Eurail Pass. We had a few hours off between trains in some major German city and our saxophonist, Bob Mintzer, decided to put his horns in a station locker so he could be free to walk around. As the departure time approached, Mintz went to get his horns out of the locker, but it jammed and he couldn't get it open. He and Don Alias went to find help and I positioned myself at the top of the stairs leading to the train to keep an eye out for their return. I asked Kenny to wait at the train and try to hold its departure in case Lungs and Mintz were late in returning. As the station clock clicked on the departure time, the conductor attempted to get Kenny to move from his position on the train car stairs, but Kenny wouldn't move. The conductor backed off for a few moments but then returned to get him to move. At that point I saw Kenny purse his lips at the conductor and raise his cane in a half gesture of seriousness and comedy - that he would "bop" the sucker on his crown if he didn't back off. The conductor again backed off and shortly thereafter the cats came running down the stairs and we all jumped aboard. If you knew Kenny, I would imagine that you can visualize what he looked liked as he was protecting his comrades. Man, it was hilarious!

"Summer of '97" by Larry Johnson

In the summer of l997 I was working on the committee of Jazz at Brevard and in that role I was selected (volunteered) to pick up the Kenny Garrett quartet at the local airport, and when I found out that Kenny Kirkland would be on keys, I carried my Sep 88 Keyboard magazine with me and went to pick up the guys. Kenny Kirkland was totally amazed that I used this magazine to identify myself as their driver. He was so humble, and he sat in the front seat of the van with me and we just yacked as we made the one hour drive back to Brevard NC. I spent a great deal of time with the entire quartet that weekend, and their performance was flawless, and they blew away the Yellowjackets who were our headliners. I will never forget the time I got to spend with Kenny Kirkland, and I had also seen him with Sting in Chapel Hill on the 1988 tour. What an incredible gentleman, and performer. I will treasure my signed copy of the Keyboard magazine forever. Larry Johnson, pianist and Kenny Kirkland fan. PO Box 964, Jackson, NC 27845

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