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When I began seeing McKenna as a teenager, I was amazed at how little attention nightclub patrons paid to his playing and dismayed at how difficult it often was to hear his powerful attack over the din of conversation. (This was before Bradley Cunningham began insisting on silence for the performers at his storied nightclub on University Place.) But when Terri Gross interviewed Dave on Fresh Air years ago, she mentioned this same annoying phenomenon, and asked if it bothered him. "Not really," he replied. "When they're quiet, I get nervous."

Over the years, I saw Dave on a regular basis on the Cape, at the Copley Plaza in Boston, with Ruby Braff at the Regattabar, and at Bradley's, where I'd hang till the last note was struck and often get a lift down to Spring Street from Dave and his driver. Especially memorable were the times when Zoot Sims would arrive at Bradley's around 2 a.m., mount a barstool, and play duets with Dave. I also ran into him a few times at Fenway Park. And most surprisingly, when I was visiting Paris in January 1991, I ran into Dave and his wife Frankie on the street where I was staying; he'd played some holiday gigs in Germany and then come to Paris for sightseeing.

The last time I saw Dave was on his 70th birthday, May 30, 2000, at a church in Belchertown, Massachusetts, where he played a Sunday afternoon concert. His playing was as brilliant as ever, but he was in no mood for celebration. When the emcee proposed that we sing "Happy Birthday" to welcome Dave back for his second set, he shot us a ray that said, "Don't dare!" And no one did. Afterwards he attended a reception at the producer's home, and was unusually garrulous. That was the last time I saw him, and I believe it was one of his last performances anywhere.

I’d first heard Dave at The Columns on Rt. 28 in West Dennis around 1970. I was a 17-year-old passing for 21, already fanatical for Duke Ellington, Chicago Blues, and the jam sessions I'd catch every week at the Kitty Kat Lounge in my hometown of Worcester. But seeing Dave, Dick Johnson, Lou Colombo, even Bobby Hackett at these Cape Cod roadhouses was a revelation. To discover music of this caliber played with such beauty and passion by master musicians working far from the limelight gave me a whole new insight into the workaday nature of the jazz life. Speaking of which, I once asked Dave to confirm that he was playing a regular Thursday night gig at the opulent Chatham Bars Inn on the Cape. “Oh yeah,” he replied, “That’s my corned beef.”

Back in the early 70’s, Dave and his colleagues impressed in me an understanding that the ritual of music making was itself the highest reward, and that riches and fame were of secondary importance. In many ways, the relative obscurity of these players was one of the things that fueled my desire to pursue a career in which I might bring a little exposure to their great work. Now, with all due respect, I can tell you that it's been an honor to play Dave's music on the radio for the past 30 years.
Tom Reney
“Jazz à la Mode”
WFCR/88/5 FM
NPR News and Music for Western New England
Amherst, MA 01003

Your mention of Earl Fatha Hines reminds me to inquire if anyone else remembers him playing a different number with each hand, simultaneously. I saw him do it at Lincoln Center in the 1970s, pretty late in his career. But not too late for him to have a lovely young protege nearby.

I went to see the premier of the Documentary about Jack Sheldon called "Trying to Get Good". It was absolutely wonderful. Jack was there and several hundred LA fans including musicians, and celebrities were there as well. He's still at his most authentic, playing strong and working a lot of clubs. The film is well done by Doug MacIntyre and his wife Penny Peyser who worked on it for 5 years. Its hitting the Indie festivals so if folks have the chance go out and see it. Better yet, fly down to LA and see him play live.