The Jazz Knights host Benny Golson

I sense that my parents are a little tense lately. Ordinarily I'd let them work through issues on their own - but I can't stand another night with the couch potatoes watching Law and Order reruns. I needed to make an intervention...and quick!

The Family...I'm the handsome one in the middle

The perfect remedy to a long, hectic week with parents is a concert at West Point. After work on Friday, we made the familiar drive with time to spare - allowing us time to tour Eisenhower Hall and visit with our neighbor, Uncle (and Master Sergeant - Trombonest) Ron Fleischman.

Daddy, me, and Uncle Ron.

The U.S. Military Academy Band Jazz Knights celebrated African American History Month by playing a medley of big band jazz. The Knights hosted legendary tenor saxophonist Benny Golson. What a treat to hear the works of a man who has played with other jazz icons like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Clifford Brown.

Benny Golson

Benny Golson’s career as a performer and composer spans over half a century. He has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, and Tadd Dameron. His most notable association, however, is with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers from 1958-1959, helping to define the hard bop and blues-based sound which characterized the group. In the 1980’s, he co-led the Jazztet with flugelhornist Art Farmer and has since continued to compose, record, and perform throughout the world.

Mr. Golson has recorded over 30 albums and written over 300 compositions. He composed music for television programs including M*A*S*H, Mission Impossible and The Partridge Family and advertising music for Chevrolet, Chrysler, McDonald’s and Pepsi Cola.

The Jazz Knights in Full Effect

I knew my plan was working when the ol' parents started finger snapping and toe tapping. Daddy's favorite performance of the evening was a song named Strawboss - one of Mr. Golson's hits.

Just as I was getting warmed up, the concert came to an end...sans one brief finale. So we piled into the car and headed for home...with a little pit stop at some place called McDonalds. I snacked on my whole grain, organic, baked, no-salt pita chips while my parents ate something called McNuggets...I'm so glad I don't have to eat that stuff!