James Neal, Storyteller

JAMES NEAL, Librarian, UMD Master of Library Science, 2012

I have been a jazz fan since the age of three when my father first played John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" for me. I have enjoyed jazz performances all over the United States — at the Village Vanguard in New York City, the Kennedy Center in DC, the Spoleto festival in Charleston, SC and all over the Boston area at Sculler's, the Somerville Theater, the Hatch Shell and the Regatta Bar.

Seeing Holland live and meeting him were on my jazz "bucket list." Thanks to the Center, I can check that one off.

One performer I always wanted to see live was Dave Holland, who has long been a favorite jazz musician of mine due to his early work with Miles Davis. Holland's 1973 work "Conference of the Birds" is a classic and one of the first pieces I heard in my introduction to jazz many years ago. Last season this wish came true as I attended the performance of Holland's Overtone Quartet at Clarice Smith. Not only was the music smoking but I enjoyed the opportunity to meet Holland after the show, as well as pianist Jason Moran. Seeing Holland live and meeting him were on my jazz "bucket list." Thanks to the Center, I can check that one off.