The best of times…
Back in 2011 when we were playing weekly gigs at Paris Blues the band hit upon the idea of turning one of our most popular pieces LOVE into a duet.
I began searching for a singer. My first idea was to go to the open mic at Paris Blues on Wednesday nights. Led by the venerable Les Goodson the gig always attracted some fine talents. I walked in and was immediately struck by the singular attraction of Kosi. She was sitting at the bar lighting it up with her smile. I asked if I could take her picture. She said “Sure, what’s it for?”
“I’m an aficionado of feminine beauty” was my reply.
She laughed.
“Do you sing?” I asked.
“Yes. In fact I’m going to sing right now.”
I’ll never forget her rendition of Love For Sale. I always thought it kind of a corny tune. The truth revealed was that I had never heard it. Kosi unearthed the tragic depth and heart of that classic in a way I have never heard any other singer do.
She joined us the following week to sing LOVE. The next week she was there again and I called her up. The week after she showed up again. I told her if she was going to keep showing up I would have to give her more work to do.
Thus began one of the most fruitful artistic collaborations of my life. Slowly I began ceding more and more numbers to her. One night I remember singing The Beggars Song and I looked over at her kneeling on the stage, as she often did. I thought to myself “Why am I singing this song when there is somebody who can sing circles around me and has lived it right there.” After that overdue revelation I had Kosi sing most of the set and I stuck to the novelty pieces.
We recorded 4 albums of original material, toured together, interviewed on a half dozen radio stations, laughed together, drove late through many a night listening to classical guitar, hung out and endured the ups and downs of Harlem life.
Now she is shaking the dust of NYC off her shoes and moving to Baltimore. We wish her the best and with her goes my deepest gratitude. I learned so much by standing next to her greatness, night after night.
Ironically the last song I wrote for her was Summer Song, a song about leaving that ends with the line.
“You won’t forget about me. Because I can’t forget about you.”
Much love goes with you Kosi. Fare thee well.
