March 2000

First Time I Saw...
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By Carol Sloane

Jimmy Rowles was possessed of a renowned sense of humor, a dedication to jazz unchallenged, and a voice best described as the sound of nails rattling in a tin can. (Think Miles with laryngitis). He was working at Bradley's, a popular bar in the Village where one might regularly hear some of the great jazz pianists. A friend came in late one night, accompanied by the famous operatic tenor, Placido Domingo. Jimmy was suitably impressed meeting the celebrated man, repeatedly addressed him as "Pablo", and asked him if he wanted to sit in! Domingo declined, but as a result of this remarkable encounter, the superb tenor arranged two complimentary tickets for his next sold-out performance at the Metropolitan Opera.

It was a miserable, cold, rainy night in January as we made our way in a cab from the Village to Lincoln Center, Jimmy grumbling the whole time that he hoped to find the bar as soon as we arrived. I told him there were two bars, situated directly beneath beautiful, massive Chagall tapestries in the main lobby of the Met. Our seats were two on the aisle, and the great, acoustically flawless house was filled to capacity: about 3,000 seats. Jimmy, looking every inch the image of the hip musician of the 1950's (beret, shades, goatee), settled himself in the seat nearest the aisle, the easier to escape. The house lights dimmed, the crowd hushed and the orchestra began the overture. Suddenly, the only sound in that immense space was a solo clarinet. Not realizing opera lovers throughout the entire theater would hear him, Mr. Dulcet Tones turned to me and said, with considerable enthusiasm, "The clarinet player's a bitch!" Rattled programs, uncomfortable squirms and many shshhhsshs. Jimmy never made it to the end of the first act; he was off to admire the Chagall's after the first scene.

There is a charming PS to this story: We went backstage after the final curtain to thank Maestro Domingo. He emerged from his dressing room towelling off, a tall, substantial man in a red brocade dressing gown. He embraced Jimmy warmly and said "Jeemie! Now you know where Jazz comes from"... !

Listen to Carol's daily jazz program, M-F, 3-7 PM, on the NPR affiliate WICN, 90.5 FM in Worcester, Mass.