Post by W. Beau Black

A little out of the ordinary for a “business post” but I thought I’d share. My grandfather made 90 this weekend. He is a saxophone extraordinaire, the best I’ve ever heard. Eddie Miller was his favorite, his idol, but my grandfather Tom Maggiore is the best….I’m obviously biased but trust me he is the best! He played with them all, mostly with the legendary Pete Fountain as seen here. I was fortunate to be there through most of it. My grandmother snuck me into the Copa Cabna at 12 and the bouncer got me a beer or 2 at the Hilton at 18. I was able to see him up close at Jazz Fest while working for it’s sponsor Shell, and was proud to sneak him a water from our tent. This weekend put it all in perspective. He was a hard worker, worked for the State Levee Board most of his life, as that was his job, and he worked hard at it. But his love was and is the music. The entertainment, the sounds, the band, the people. I saw that at 90. His old band was there supporting him, smiling, laughing, tapping of the feet, and that big thumbs up. At that moment, I realized that’s what it is all about! It’s those things that make a career, not the money or the status. It’s the people you’re with, the comrodery, the happiness, the love for what you do, and the comfort it brings to others. He made people smile, he made people cry (yes, I cried) and most of all it was the smile on his face at 90 years old knowing that he did all of that. And that’s where I want to be one day, that’s where we all should want to be one day. He made the world a better place, so he’s my hero. Work for what you love, do what you love, love what you do, and you’ll be in love for the rest of your life. He’s a testament to that and I could not ask for a better mentor and role model in my life! Play on grandpa, you continue to inspire me. Love always, your grandson!