A COOL JAZZ BEAT IN THE BIG APPLE
JULY 21, 2023 | ROBBY ROMERO
It was a cool jazz beat in the big apple; I had just finished sound check at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. We were backstage, Chief Oren Lyons, Ojibwa Warrior Dennis Banks, and I. Through the rez-blues guitar picking, Lakota hand drum heartbeat, and the mystic trail of a Hopi rattle, Oren and Dennis were sharing stories with a small group of people who had gathered in the room. I had been in this dressing room before when I visited the Gypsy Kings to express my admiration for their performance. I remember they were intrigued by my Apache/Pueblo turquoise and silver jewelry and tried to persuade me to sell it to them.
Suddenly, there came a knock on the door. The stage manager informed us that a guest who wanted to see Dennis was waiting outside. To Dennis's surprise, it was none other than beloved singer and showman Tony Bennett. In seamless rhythm, Tony joined the oral storytelling tradition, reminiscing about the times he had hidden Dennis in his flat when he was on the FBI's most wanted.
Later on, we decided to go out for a bite to eat. Backstage with Tony Bennett was indeed a memorable experience. Witnessing his interactions with Dennis, listening to his anecdotes, and cherishing those special moments with him was a true pleasure.
During this challenging time, our thoughts and prayers are with the Bennett family, friends, and colleagues. We offer our deepest condolences and hope that our Brother finds peace and power on his journey to the spirit world.
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