Kenny interviews superb woodwind player Sid Blair at his home in Ormond Beach, FL. Sid recounts the life of an on-call musician in Detroit from the 40's to the 80's, and then here in Florida afterwards. Starting public school music programs from scratch, playing Carnegie Hall with the Detroit Symphony, late night recording sessions at Motown Records, & playing with Nelson Riddle, Mel Tormé, the Temptations and more, all the while becoming one of the swingin-est jazz cats in the motor city; Sid's really done it all. He continues to be the go-to guy for anyone looking for a killer tenor, luxurious flute or exquisite clarinet, and is a hero to sax players throughout the state.Right-click palmcoastjazz.blogspot.com and select open in another tab to view photos of Sid that accompany the interview. Hosts: Allison Paris and Kenny MacKenzie00:00 ~ Allison's introduction01:05 ~ Music: Sid Blair with the St. Augustine Jazz Society All-Stars Live - Labor Day 2011        (S Blair - tenor sax, K MacKenzie - piano, Larry Nadar - bass, Scott Mariash - drums)02:07 ~ Sid's childhood, musical family, first clarinet and musical beginnings. Sid starts                gigging at age 14, listening and learning.06:40 ~ Recollections of listening to music in dime store, learning the solos of the masters.           Sid gets clarinet lessons from Dr. Keith Stein.          (background music -  more from the St. Augustine Labor Day concert 2011)08:55 ~ Sid gets drafted United States Army Air Forces, and manages to join a big band of             experienced musicians. Sid gets exposed to jazz in East St. Louis.10:45 ~ 1946 discharged from service. Marries childhood sweetheart Helen & starts family.          Gigging with Red Overton in Virginia. Sid opts to go to Wayne State U, and begins          10 year stint with George Gumbrecht.           (background music from Sid's album "Blast from the Past" [2008]           S Blair - tenor, Lee Quick - piano, Sally Quick - bass, Jay Messick - drums)13:15 ~ Graduates & begins teaching and starts 2 music programs from scratch. Kids excel.            (background music - performance c. 1961 by Grant Jr. High School Symphonic Band            formed & directed by Sid Blair)16:00 ~ Sid designs the band & choir rooms, becomes adjudicator for music festivals in MI           for Jack Pierson. He is made Fine Arts Chairman for school system.17:45 ~ Music - performance with Sid Blair and the East Detroit High School Jazz Band.18:40 ~ Sid & Helen develop theatre group & performance venue. 20:20 ~ 1950 - Sid doesn't audition but plays bass clarinet for Phi Mu Alpha Symphonic              Band. Plays lead alto in Tom Houghton's band. Joins pianist/composer Bob DuRant's             band. Sid begins theatre work with the Nederlander Theatrical agency, constantly           in work (& demand) in Detroit; while still working as Fine Arts Chairman.           (background/foreground music - selections by Bob Durant Big Band with Sid Blair)26:20 ~ Sid is on call with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Sixten Ehrling. Sid studies           with Larr(continued)