at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival

     One evening early last March a stunning piano rendition of "What a Wonderful World" was playing on the radio.  Soon the announcer was gently imparting to his listeners that the featured musician had passed away.

     "That was her theme song," said her daughter June, recently remarking on the last years of Muriel's vibrant life and contribution.  I had called June to ask about the Muriel Havenstein Memorial Scholarship, to benefit music students enrolling at Lincoln Academy, in New Castle, Maine (81 Academy Hill.)  She hopes many will be served with modest helps, through donations to be accepted ongoing by the school.:

     We talked about the July 18th "Celebrate Muriel" gathering we'd both enjoyed in Damariscotta, at the Round Top Center for the Arts.  We reflected on the intimacy of the event which combined auditorium seating in the main space with plenty of room to refresh and meander, within the rustic barn interior.  After an invocation given by the Reverend Peter Panagore, live music held sway, while photos, CDs, and other memorabilia could be perused in the quieter reaches.  Bob Havenstein communed there, making his wife's legacy more available to any guest.

     June expressed sadness that numerous friends could not attend, including horn man Scott Philbrick, and reed players Noel Kaletsky and Hal Rohn.  Singers Leila Percy and Melissa Hamilton were among the many present who had worked with Muriel over the years.  They joined others in a musical tribute of several hours, that included Bob and David Page (of the Jazz Babies) and clarinetist Pete Collins (At the Jazz Band Ball.)  Ralph Norris and Rick Gordon each contributed his mastery on saxophone.   Bassist Al Doane was there, but we missed brother Don, on Trombone.

Another call (on a tip from his daughter) got me in touch again with Bob Havenstein, this time at his store in Waldoboro, "I'm Puzzled (207 832 4400)."  He made me assured that dropping by the store would be the most natural and enjoyable thing one might do, sometime.  He listed for me the songs on the two CDs of Muriel's work that he sells there.  Here's a teaser: "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" is on one of the two.

     "What a Wonderful World" is on the other CD by Muriel.  That special number was given pianist Gary Wright's own touch that July "Celebrate Muriel" afternoon.  An ending tribute, in solo, from all of us.