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Doug Lemon

About Me

My Jazz Story

I met Dave Brubeck at The Blackhawk in San Francisco in 1952 or '53. I was a sailor on leave when I discovered singer, pianist, composer, Matt Dennis appearing nightly at the Parrot’s Cage in Beverly Hills. I went to hear him every night for several days. My last night, knowing I was going to San Francisco, Matt asked me to deliver a message to a friend of his at the Blackhawk. At that time I had never heard of Dave Brubeck. Within a year I was one of his biggest fans. The message was that Matt would have his arrangements in a few days. For years now I have wondered why he did that. Did he really want me to deliver a message or was it just his idea of something that would impress me? I will never know the answer.