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Les McCann Tribute Meets AAJ 30th Anniversary Celebration... Plus, a look back on the AAJ Orchestra

By Michael Ricci
May 7, 2026
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This past Sunday, I learned what happens when you combine a Les McCann Tribute Concert with an All About Jazz 30th Anniversary celebration—it turns into an epic party that rocked the charming Rizzoli Bookstore in NYC.

Joe Alterman, Adam Dorn, Lenny White, Steven Bernstein, John Ellis and Daniel Sadownick absolutely brought it. Great stories were shared, great music was played and everyone had an absolute blast. I was seated front and center, and the moment the show ended, I sprang from my chair, made a beeline for the drum kit and shook Lenny White's hand. I've been at this for three decades and my fandom is still very much intact.

After the show, I connected with trumpeter Chris Thompson, brother of my late friend Scott Thompson. Seeing Chris brought back another wonderful AAJ memory from 2009, when the AAJ Orchestra performed a day before All About Jazz's 14th anniversary at Pier 66 on the Hudson River in New York. The original announcement is here, and saxophonist Peter Cobb—who performed with the orchestra that evening—covered the event beautifully. I included a link to his article below.

Posted to Publisher's Desk IN THE All About Jazz GROUP
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