Day 15

Well, our trip has come to the end. A great run here in NYC but I have to say we're ready to come home. 2 weeks is a little long in NYC especially on the pocket book. As we both thought, our last days would be spent running around buying a few things that we overlooked or passed on during the first few weeks. Alana found a great store on Jim Rotondi's suggestion called Filene's Basement. Some killing deals once again. I left her there for a few hours while I went and searched for a Lou Donaldson record. I wanted one for him to sign when we saw him later that night. We came home and relaxed for a few hours before heading to 106th and Central Park West, the old stomping grounds of Duke Ellington. Jazz Mobile is a great organization that puts on these summer concerts on a trailer that is pulled by a big pick up truck. Its pretty funny. Ellington Plaza was packed. The first set was a singer named Cynthia Scott. She sounded good but the main event was Papa Lou Donaldson. It was amazing at least for 2 songs then this singer came up for the rest of the set and Lou was as disappointed as I was but that was the gig. Lou sounded killing for 2 songs. Perdido and Caravan and then as I said the gig was kind of ruined by this singer but oh well! Rotondi as usual ripped it up! I met Lou which was a thrill and had him sign my album. Im starting to build up a nice little collection of signed album covers: Walton, Fathead, Donaldson, Monty Alexander, Frank Wess, Benny Golson, Charles McPherson, Tom Harrell, Mulgrew Miller, Houston Person etc. Anyways, after the show we went with Ian and Jim to a fantastic Indian restaurant for the best meal of the trip so far and then headed to Smoke for a quick night cap and then home!