Michael Cala

I love jazz because it is an American art form that, along with blues and R&B, defines American culture. I was first exposed to jazz by my father. He enjoyed Big Band jazz and also the jazz combos from New Orleans players like Joe Venuti and Louis Armstrong, to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. I met [musician name] Lionel Hampton when I was in charge of a 10- concert summer festival. I also met Jerry Mulligan. The best show I ever attended was Miles Davis at the Fillmore East. The first jazz record I bought was a Cab Calloway reissue LP. My advice to new listeners is to sample everything, whether it's called jazz or blues or fusion or...just listen. Or whatever else you have in mind.