Solar by Chuck Wayne

Beverly Allstars + Julian Reid on Piano, Blue Moon Cafe, 8-18-10.

[ubik]

Nice Job!! I have a great Chuck Wayne story to tell. I was a student of his when I was 18 back in the 80's. He was truly a great man with a smile so warm it would light up the room. One day I came in and he asked me what I'd been working on. I told him this Miles tune Solar. It was the only time I saw that smile disappear. He said "that's my tune, I wrote it". As a dumb 18 year old I didn't know what to think. I said "why don't you sue him". He chuckled and said maybe someday I will. Well it's now a famous story and the fact of the matter is resolved and common knowledge.

Here's the best part: I grew up in the Bronx. One day years later I went to Woodlawn cemetery where Duke and Miles are buried along with several NY Yankees and many others. When I arrived at Miles grave there was a huge long monument, about 10 x 5 I'd guess. On it was his name, d.o.b. and d.o.d. and some words about him AND a melody was engraved on the tomb. I started humming it. It was Solar.  I felt as though a ton of bricks hit me. Of all the tunes that could of been placed there. Poetic justice perhaps? I climbed up on top, laid down, closed my eyes and just took it all in.