Cynthia Cotton

I was first exposed to jazz through my husband, Tim Cotton. He had a passion for jazz and taught me a lot about it. I've come to appreciate its cultural significance. I met Benny Carter, Lester Bowie, Cecil McBee and many others at the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz concerts in 1989 and 1990. The best show I ever attended was at the Kennedy Center around 1982 or 1983; the Art Ensemble of Chicago was performing. I loved it. I'd never seen avant garde performed live before. They were phenomenal! The first jazz record I bought was Thelonious Monk's Live at Town Hall. My advice to new listeners would be to find what touches your heart and follow that.