I REMEMBER

CHARLIE WATTS

In July, 1996, I was playing the violin in a small orchestra accompanying Charlie Watts and his jazz group in the Montreal Jazz Festival. At the time I was eight months pregnant and I happened to be sitting next to Charlie on stage. He was very concerned that his drum playing might send me into labour. After several amusing and friendly exchanges with him, he asked me where my husband was. I pointed over to the cello section, so during the next break he went over to him and teasingly asked him how he could allow his wife to be working at such an advanced point in her pregnancy. We laughed and chatted for a while until the break was over. We went back to work and I noticed that someone had placed a cup of tea served in beautiful English china under his drum set. Such a gentle soul with a great sense of humour. And, of course, a brilliant drummer.