Thanks for the Memory

"Seina, if you're going to make a demo, I'll support you all the way. Don't worry about a thing — just come to New York."

May 2008. Bob Cranshaw was in Japan on tour with Sonny Rollins, and after dinner and a walk, he said it to me in front of his hotel.

After that, I thought about it. Again and again and again.

　*　*　*　*　*　*　*

Bob came back to Japan in October 2010, on another Sonny Rollins tour. That year the three of us — Bob, the sound engineer Richard Corsello, and I — went to the department stores and to Sensō-ji in Asakusa.

That night, over dinner at an izakaya… I brought it up.

“Bob, do you remember telling me you’d support me if I made a demo?”
“Of course I do, Seina.”
That’s how he always is — calm, and kind.

“So… about that. I’ve thought about it so much. If I go into the music business, I might end up unable to sing again. So I realized I don’t need a demo. But — I want to make a recording for the memories. I met Leonard (Gaskin). I met Grady (Tate). I got to meet you. I want to make a recording for the memories.”

“Seina, of course. When are you coming to New York?”

“…Next year.”

I had no money, nothing at all. And still, that’s what I answered.

　*　*　*　*　*　*　*

Six months later, I called Grady.
That day, Grady remembered me.

Grady loses his memory to illness.
So even when I said “It’s Seina,” most of the time he didn’t remember. But that day, he remembered me.

“Grady, back when we met in Japan (1999), you told me that the next time I recorded, you’d be the one to do it. You promised me. But it’s taken all this time. I’m recording with Bob. Please — play drums.”

“Baby, OK. What are we doing?” (the songs)

“It isn’t decided yet. I’ll call you again.”

　*　*　*　*　*　*　*

November 2011. I headed for New York.
Bob had been letting me know how Grady was doing, now and then.
He said he’d settled on Nola Studios, on 57th Street across from Carnegie Hall — because Grady had been able to work there many times.

“We’ve got a piano player. It’s John Colianni.”

…Jo-hnnnn,,, Caliani??? I’ve heard him somewhere… ah, ah, ah, ah, ah! He’s the one on that Mel Tormé live album I love, playing with Ken Peplowski, the clarinet player!!!!

Bob said Grady was in no shape for it, and that he would choose the drummer.

“Wait. One more day — just wait one more day…”
Because we promised each other…

But.
Bob made the call: it wasn’t going to happen.

It was settled: Leroy Williams.

“Seina, can you manage at least $150 a day for everyone? That’s the union’s minimum wage line,” he said, apologetic.

“Of course, Bob. The Angels Swing recording sessions have been $200 a day since 1997. So I’ll pay $200 a day. Two days of sessions, right?”

But… I cried. The tears wouldn’t stop, and on the day of the recording I couldn’t even put on makeup. I went to the studio with my face swollen from crying.

Track List

1. I've Heard That Song BeforeJule Styne, Sammy Cahn2:51
2. You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It)James V. Monaco, Joseph McCarthy3:44
3. A Tree in the MeadowBilly Reid4:41
4. And the Angels SingZiggy Elman, Johnny Mercer4:37
5. I've Got a Crush on YouGeorge Gershwin, Ira Gershwin3:35
6. I Can't Give You Anything but LoveJimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields3:38
7. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with YouVictor Young, Ned Washington, Bing Crosby4:04
8. No Love, No Nothin'Harry Warren, Leo Robin3:40
9. I Had the Craziest DreamHarry Warren, Mack Gordon3:42
10. Stay As Sweet As You AreMack Gordon, Harry Revel4:06
11. All of MeGerald Marks, Seymour Simons3:56
12. Two Sleepy People / Thanks for the MemoryHoagy Carmichael, Frank Loesser / Ralf Rainger, Leo Robin4:54

Thanks for the Memory

October 2010, at Sensō-ji Temple in Tokyo. Bob Cranshaw laughing out loud after sound engineer Richard Corsello drew "Daikyo" (bad luck) over and over again during the Sonny Rollins Japan tour.

Bob was always like that — thinking of everyone else before he thought of himself.