I cannot remember why I stopped going to Baker's.

My fondest memory, when discovering jazz in the early-80s, was watching Alexander Zonjic's technicians tear it up...when the house buzzed as Earl Klugh walked in with a guy I later learned was Bob James.

I crossed paths with Earl later, since one of my old Tech Hifi cronies actually took guitar lessons from him. We'd go to a bar called The Place on Woodward at about 12 1/2 mile to see a beautiful woman named Indya sing...and every time Earl would come in, he'd beeline to our booth to sit with Steve.

It was a bit overwhelming to me, but he was the most soft-spoken and humble gentlemen I'd ever met. I remember a little speaking impediment and the kindest eyes. And when he'd play...OMG...everything else fell away.



Cheers, may this place return to its former glory...it IS an institution. Although, time and again they've been detroyed in this town by huge egos run astray. It doesn't sound as if that is the problem here, though.