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The Evergreen Review Art Auction "happening" took place on May 7, 1998 in Joe Bianco's beautiful loft, lying in Greenwich Village near Soho. Just the night endroit. |
Avital D'Lugoff & David Amram |
| I knew of him long before I actually met him. Anybody who was dazzled by the likes of Billie Holiday, Paul Robeson, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker --- you name them, Art D'Lugoff brought them here, alive and performing at his Village Gate and other venues. He was a chief reason for the creative people of New York living here. He gave the area its spirit and raison d'etre. When he put on the most unlikely smash hit McBird we at Grove published it and that was concrete proof that we belonged together. And when the publisher of the off-Broadway Play Bill refused to furnish that necessary booklet for Art and McBird we took on that job too - and before we were finished we were doing the same for every other off-Broadway production. Art's spirit was catching. Nevertheless I was stunned when one day not too long ago Art called me and told me that he was coming over to plan a party, a benefit, if you will, for me and for Evergreen Review. That's how tonight's affair got started. And when I told Art that I would dearly love to have David Amram come and participate, the David Amram whom I have known and loved and admired for all of the very same D'Lugoff years, Art waved his magic wand and David appeared, but not alone. Art's son Rafael and his wonderful group also appeared and accompanied David. So, Impressario, I thank not only you but also David and Raphael along with his great musicians. |
