My earliest recollections … West Oakland, cure California circa 1948 … my father talking about “Hamp” (Lionel Hampton) for whom he chauffeured when that band was in San Francisco.  Dad took the family to a performance and I recall being in the first balcony row … mesmerized by the muse … the vibes …  the dancing across stage … the drum solos … and of wanting only to be … drums.  That is what lead to what i am today and  the tributes.