Friends of Muriel Havenstein, 85 year-old jazz pianist from Maine, held a benefit concert, "A Tribute to Muriel," at Lincoln Academy's Parker Poe Theater in Newcastle, Maine on January 25th.  Muriel is recovering from an automobile accident; benefits from the concert will help pay medical bills. The concert featured the Original Doane Bridgeway Band and the Al Corey Big Band with Brian Nadeau, as well as many guests.  (Anybody who wants to contribute may send a check for $25 or more to Muriel Havenstein Benefit, c/o June Gallant, 232 Lower Cross Road, Nobleboro, ME 04555.)

On a beautiful sunny day in January 2009 over two hundred fans of jazz gathered at the Parker Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle, Maine. The center of attention during a spectacular two hours of jazz was not the illustrious Al Corey Big Band, nor the Pete Collins Jazz Band, nor even Al Doane and his Bridgeway Band!

Though present that afternoon, these greats of jazz were clearly not the central focus of the afternoon for the throng of admirers that had gathered and seated themselves before the theater stage. No, January 25th 2009 was the day of a lifetime for jazz pianist Muriel Havenstein, a veritable love-fest for the "Mid-Coast Monster" who has been playing jazz for over 68 years.

 

Of course, Muriel would have chuckled softly and told me -- if she were looking over my shoulder as I type this -- to tone it down about the 'love-fest' stuff. Such is Muriel Havenstein. Muriel, dear Muriel... always, always seemingly a bit shocked by the great love shown her by countless jazz audiences over the decades. Yes, Muriel has always been quietly grateful to perform throughout her nearly seventy year career, simply for the sake of the joy she brings to the ear and to the soul. Those present at her tribute were eager to reciprocate, affection for affection. The bands played as though for royalty, the crooners sang with heart, the applause rang out with shouts of Muriel! Muriel! I could see, everyone could see, the wonder in Muriel's eyes as she just "took it all in".

 

Her fellow musicians in jazz were eager to show their love for Muriel. They came from miles around including, Al Doane, Gary Wright, Ralph Norris, Pete Collins, Barney Balch, Fred Clifford, T.J. Wheeler, Jack Turkey, Jeff Davison, Gerry Gemmiti, Brian Nadeau, Left McClausin, The Al Corey Big Band; singers Carole Stone and Sherrie Phair and many other guest stars.

 

Quietly we leave the scene of Muriel's Tribute to reprise a special moment in her life. Some years ago on hearing Muriel play at a Camden restaurant, the legendary Dizzy Gillespie wrote, "You gassed me!!!" on a napkin. She has his napkin framed over her piano.

 

Thank you Muriel Havenstein! You gassed us all.