Jon Hendricks - "Gimme That Wine" (feat. Wynton Marsalis) Live on Conan 1997 HQ

Jon Hendricks and his jazz ensemble performing "Gimme That Wine" live on Late Night, January 21, 1997.

[@BenjaminSteber]

I had the pleasure of not only meeting Jon Hendrix but to perform for him. I was in choral jazz rock and Jon did a vocal clinic in a nearby school. This would have been within a year of this recording on Conan in 1998. Some kids performed with his traveling band, playing some apparently rehearsed jazz standards like misty, and I was sitting there, really wanting to sing. Jon was just starting up again when I requested to perform. He invited me up. My music instructor was terrified because he knows how unpredictable I can be. I go to the pianist, tell him the song. He doesn't know it. After failing to communicate what we need to do, I decide to just start singing and see what happens. I stepped up to the mic and said "Screw it! We're going to do this song and see what happens.". So I started in, just a capella I started Muddy Waters "Got my Mojo working.". The band kicked in behind me, knowing immediately that it was a blues song and we really rocked. We nailed the end even as I was saying "that's not how it goes. But ok.". My objection was interrupted when Jon stepped up and gave me a big hug. What a day! I got a lot of compliments on my song and my conductor was obviously chuffed about having the upstart who stole the show in his group. I just thought about that recently, and found out that Jon died in 2017. I wish I could thank him for giving me a moment in his spotlight and letting me feel like a star for a day. He was a great man. Keep doodlin', Jon.

[@tonygallo1104]

I enjoyed that comment at Benjamin Stecker. I regret not getting to introduce myself to him when I saw him perform at The legendary Blue Note (nyc). It was 2001 just 2-3 months after 9-11. I’m a singer and was just getting into jazz vocalists.. He was fun! Sometimes jazzers take themselves so seriously.... but agin he was humorous, as well as always paying homage to the greats that composed the songs....and then his distinctive talent took hold!