Such sad news today….the passing of the great Joe Segal. I go so far back with Joe…I first met him when I was just sixteen years old. Back then, the Jazz Showcase was inside the Blackstone Hotel in downtown Chicago. That was my real jazz education. I was there so much that Joe took the time to learn my name and say “hi” whenever he’d see me in line. (Yes, there were lines out the door to hear people when I started going to the Jazz Showcase). I often had my horn with me, and Joe knew I was serious about the music. He would often introduce me to whoever was playing, telling them that I was a serious up and coming tenor player in town.
I heard everyone at Joe’s club….Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Phil Woods, Johnny Griffin, Cedar Walton, Tom Harrel, Red Rodney, Lockjaw Davis, Joe Henderson, James Moody (I studied with both Joe and Moody because of my connection with Joe and the Jazz Showcase…Joe made it possible for me to meet them.
In the 1990s, (I was in my early 20’s) Joe was very supportive of my playing, and he hired me as a leader with my own quartet at the Jazz Showcase, several times. This was a true honor, and one that was very rare at the time, as he was mainly booking national acts back then. Joe also paired me up with Slide Hampton on one gig, and he also put me on a fantastic gig at the Jazz Showcase with Jackie & Roy. (At one rehearsal before their first night, Joe jumped up on stage and started playing drums for a tune with us!). In more recent years, Joe had the idea of pairing me with Harry Allen on one of his jazz cruise gigs, and I first met harry at the Jazz Showcase on Clark Street when I went to sit in with Scott Hamilton, who I also would never have met without Joe.
And of course, the amazing history with Joe and my wife, Judy Roberts…I first heard Judy play at the Jazz Showcase when I was just sixteen! If not for Joe, I wouldn’t have heard Judy that night. Judy and I played so many times for Joe and Wayne Segal over the years, and it’s been such an honor, every time.
Being an avid record collector, I’ve enjoyed many liner notes written by Joe. Joe was like an encyclopedia of jazz history, which was obvious to everyone within earshot when he’d begin his classic introductions on the microphone, telling about the great players who were going to be appearing at the jazz showcase over then next few weeks. In his later years, he often shared his views about contemporary music over the microphone, stating that as part of his “save the children” campaign, he’s going to try and get everyone to switch from listening to Michael Jackson to Milt Jackson.
This photo is from around 2002, when my group with Paulinho Garcia was going strong, and Joe was kind enough to feature our duo extensively at the jazz showcase. I can see by my tie, that this would have been a jazz Christmas-themed show.
Although Joe lived a long life, to the age of 94, this is still such a shock. For more than three decades, Joe has been a big part of my life. I’m so thankful for the wonderful memories of Joe, and for the opportunities that he gave me. And this goes for my friendship with Wayne Segal, as well….Judy and I think of Joe and Wayne as family, and this is a big loss.
Joe, thank you for being there for all these years. You’ve made a huge difference in so many lives. I will always keep your spirit alive whenever I play my horn. RIP, Joe Segal.
