My first time ever visiting New York, I was 10 years old and had the pleasure of going to Dizzy’s at Lincoln Center with my father. I don’t remember how it happened but we somehow randomly met a photographer (?) who brought us backstage (everyone loves 10 year old girls) and directly to Mr. Marsalis. I had listened to jazz growing up, but this experience deepend my love for it. I had been keeping a *New York Journal* (pink with gold edged pages) and started writing a song (used to want to be a pop-star) called “New York is magnifasent.” Magnificent spelled horribly wrong. I brought the journal with me everywhere that weekend, so it was under my arm while meeting him. He ended up signing his autograph on the following page to which he wrote “Grace, New York is magnifasent” spelled wrong just like I had. 15 years later, he is not only one of the greats, but one of my favorites. I listen to his album Standard Time Vol. 2: Intimacy Calling all the time, I hope you will too.