The end of the year is always time to take stock and remember those we have left us. Artists get most of the ink when tributes are made (and rightfully so), but I lost two people (both musicians but known for their work behind the scenes) who were crucial to my jazz education. Tom Evered, VP Marketing and General Manager of Blue Note Records was my boss and guided me toward many artists he knew I would love. When Cecil Taylor was to play a week-long date at the Village Vanguard, he suggested that I check him out. Taylor and his band played one song for 75 minutes, improvising and banging away on their instruments and somehow bringing it back full circle at the end. It was incredible.

Michael Cuscuna was a legendary producer, DJ, and the curator of the Blue Note catalog. He was also the co-founder of Mosaic Records. CD box sets he would produce for other labels were released on Mosaic as LPs. I talked him into giving me The Complete 1959 CBS Charles Mingus Sessions, a singular prize! A walking music encyclopedia (he knew as much about rock as he did jazz), Michael was always there when I had a question about an artist. He knew everyone, and he had stories!

So I raise my glass and give a salute to these two gentlemen (most of the time) who made sure I heard all the right tunes. Rest in peace, sirs.