CLUMPS AND VOIDS

Five minutes of joy.

And of arse-kicking regret. I went to hear Grappelli at the end of his career, only to leave more than two hours into a jive folk group opener. Fool! Biggest regret of my life as a listener. Runner-up: passing on Jimmy Smith's Easter show. The King of the Jazz Organ in a room packed with his fervent bevy of female admirers, each and every one wearing an enormous hat: the ex kvelled for months.

Amendment: Video also features possibly my favorite jazz pianist (tie with Kenny Drew, Jr.) McCoy Tyner, who I heard live several times while he was still in his prime. Most sets included Giant Steps as a Coltrane homage. It must have been quite the Battle of Normandy training ground, playing with both Coltrane and drummer Elvin Jones.