Eli Christopher Byrne

I love jazz because...it's a language I understand, and feel understood when I speak it ... I was first exposed to jazz...by my mother who sang with bands in her home of Detroit and raised me listening to Billy, Sarah, Ella, Duke, Satchmo, Benny Goodman,... I met [musician name]... so many musicians and we all encourage each other to keep the faith ... The best show I ever attended was... never felt compelled to single out the best ... memorable shows include Chicago Art Ensemble (1980), Don Pullen/George Adams ('85), Grover Washington Jr ('77), Jaki Byard ('85), TanaReid ('94), McCoy w/ John Blake Jr (2004), Ronnie Burrage w/ Gary Thomas ('03), Jeremy Bacon w/ Charles Fambrough ('92) .. so many more .... The first jazz record I bought was... Getz & Gilberto My advice to new listeners... read the credits on records and when you like a band member look for their albums and other albums they're on - jazz players are always changing it up and collaborating with each other Or whatever else you have in mind.... Follow what you love ... don't let anyone snob-shame you for your taste - if you love cheeze, own it, if you love crazy, own it - and be equally accepting of others