[Delacroix]

Not sure where else to place this but I just learned that Herb Ellis died last night. In the interests of making this all about the music, I recommend "Nothing but the Blues" (playing as I write)  as a wonderful intro to the man's great lines and ability to complement whoever and whatever combo he played with - and  he played with a list of the greats. Style, taste, and musicality -- Herb had it. Peace to the man and his family.

[lonewolfny42]

Sad news indeed....so many good recordings....RIP.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postmortem/2010/03/jazz-guitarist-herb-ellis-dies.html

[Scottdazzle]

In addition to being a great musician he also had one of the best album covers ever.  Retired cartoonist Gary Larson ("The Far Side") drew it.  In case you can't make out the name of the bar, it's The Stuffed Cat.  Look in the window.

[Scott F.]

I was fortunate to meet Herb a few years ago when I was out in LA on business. One of the guys I work with was showing me the town and we stopped by a well known LA Jazz venue for dinner and some tunes. Just before the venue's guitar duo took the stage, in comes Herb with the help of his grandson and daughter. He sat at the table right next to us.

At the time, Herb was about 85. He was still on top of things but his body was giving out. At the venue I bought a local photographers Jazz Calendar that featured Herb playing. I was lucky enough to get Herbs autograph on his picture. I guess its time to get that framed.

88 years is a pretty darned good run. I'm not sure I'll make it that long but one never knows.