The Loss of a Jazz Hero - Joe Sample

In the late 70's I became an audiophile and began to seriously appreciate jazz. A new record label, Mobile Fidelity Sound lab (MOFI), began pressing exceptional recordings and distributing to those who appreciated good sound. Flipping through records at a shop one day I spotted some MOFI vinyl and purchased several, one of which was that of a jazz musician who played the piano. I listened to that record over and over and loved it. That record was one that made me appreciate jazz and how a concert piano could be used to make great jazz music.

Fast forward to 2002 - a friend of mine, who plays the flute, gave to me her entire lot of vinyl and one of the albums in the stack was that same record title I used to listen to over and over. Memories began as I played it again and reminisced of my youth. For me, this is a special album that helped teach me about good jazz, good sound and a reason to continue my audiophile endeavor.

Now that piano player is no longer with us and I mourn deeply. Tonight will be a tribute to him when I spin my well-played MOFI of one of my heroes. That disk will be "Rainbow Seeker" by Joe Sample. Bless his gifted soul as he rests in peace.