[teridbruse]

Anybody on this board make Neil's retirement party? I'd have loved to attend, but the 3,000 mile commute was too much for me.

I think Neil (and Paul Grant) deserve big props for their supportive role in the Vancouver jazz community. I've been appearing on that show (either as a 'single' or with a band for an in-studio performance) for about ten years, and I have never once hesitated to call Neil and Paul if I had something cooking I thought they could help me get out there, be it a new record, some other artists I wanted to tell people about, or just a mention on the CBC "artbeat" feature.

Post-Katrina, I was in rough shape. Neil and Paul had me on the show within weeks of the flood, put up with my raving and cursing at FEMA and the Bush administration, and tactfully edited out interview segments where I choked up with grief and rage or carried on like a lunatic. Even in subsequent shows over the years (where I had regained what for me passes for sanity) Neil has always showed a master's touch in the edited room, making me sound much more intelligent and erudite than I actually am. And on our last trip up there, he and Paul extended an invitation to my entire New Orleans band to come down to the studio (though only guitarist John Dobry was able to make the taping).

Neil has spent basically his entire working life as a producer at CBC, when he could easily make much, much more in commercial radio. But jazz is where the man's heart is, and we're all the richer for it. I hope the party was a big success.

[OvDojQXN]

Thank You, Neil for all your excellent work at the CBC. I wish I had known about your send off party. If I had been there I would have wanted to give you a big hug and let you know that your hospitality, sharp mind, relaxed presence and well-attuned sense of musical taste were greatly appreciated in all my experiences with JazzBeat and HotAir at CBC Vancouver. Here's hoping that the next phase of your life is very rewarding, and I wish you all the best.

[tomspoumn]

Hi all... Thanks John & Mike for the kind words about Hot Air. It's a treat to work with BC's (extended) musical family every week.

As for Neil's party, it was a great success. The music was outstanding -- the Miles Black Trio with a roster of singers that included Kate Hammett-Vaughan (who organized the singers -- thanks, Kate!), Karin Plato, Laura Crema, June Katz, Lorraine Foster, Dee Daniels and Melody Diachun. We recorded the evening and highlights will be on Hot Air sometime in September.

There were about a hundred people there, including former Jazz Beat producer Claire Lawrence, CJBS artistic director Ken Pickering, Victoria singer Miranda Sage, and a whack of Neil's current and former CBC pals plus people he knows from all the other parts of his life. Thanks to everyone who came... and to everyone who sent their best wishes. And thanks especially to Neil himself, who's intelligent and elegant presence has left a lasting legacy during his 30 years at the Hot Air helm. Hope you'll all tune in for Neil's Gods & Goddesses show next Saturday (Aug 30) on Hot Air.

We're lucky that Phillip Ditchburn has been chosen as the new producer for Hot Air. I worked with Phillip on The Early Edition back in the late '80s, and we're old pals. He produced the Afternoon Show for years, and most recently was a producer on Sounds Like Canada. Phillip plays great blues guitar and has big ears for all kinds of music.

[KlaraNovikoffa]

Let me add my thanks to Neil for his great work at CBC. Sorry i couldn't make the party as I was running a festival on Bowen Island that day.

I am sure whatever he does next he'll do with the same dedication. Good run, Neil.