Take Thirty

Perhaps it is appropriate to share a couple anecdotes from Gene Lees' interview of Dave and Iola Brubeck, featured in the book "Cats Of Any Color."

Dave recalls this from Paul's last days:

"Do you know the story about Mingus going to see him? We'd known Charlie since the early days in San Francisco, and he and Paul were good friends. Paul had to leave his apartment unlocked, because he was too weak to answer it. Charlie let himself in while Paul was asleep and stood by the bed. Paul woke up and saw him standing there in a black cape and black hat, and Paul said for a moment, he thought it was the angel of death."

Iola, on a lighter note, chimed in:

"I have a new Desmond story, at least new to me. Paul saw a picture in a newspaper showing Aristotle Onassis in front of the Hollywood home of Buster Keaton, looking at it with an eye on buying it. Paul's comment was 'Hmm. Aristotle contemplating the home of Buster.'"

After a pause, Iola said, "We all miss him, don't we."