It just so happens that I was listening to Grant Green with tears in my eyes; I knew and heard Grant Green even before Blue Note.
I was having a beer with my jazz crew at the club where Grant performed on weekends; we all knew and admired Grant as a person and as a jazz musician. They, jazz musicians, always seem to have quirky ways; he came in, turned the juke box off (with everyone's permission of course) and just began to play his guitar. As I recall, the music he played was intensely personal, and just a little sad; he was playing for himself and we just happened to be there listening. Times like that are unforgettable; that was in 59, the reason I remember is because it was just before I went into the Air Force.
When I saw that he would be appearing at a club in St. Louis, I knew I would get a chance to hear him live again, and maybe even chat a little bit. This was at the time his album, "Grant Green- Live At The Light House" was out, that was in 72.
Sure enough, during intermission, he had someone request that I meet him outside; it was stuffy in the club, and the fresh night air was welcomed.
Between 60 and 72 is a long time; 12 years, plus he had gotten bald; the last time I saw him, he had a thick head of hair and looked "cowboy slim" in Levis, now he had a paunch, and was bald, I barely recognized him.
"Is that you Grant?"; honesty is my worst fault. After exchanging pleasantries, he asked me about a jazz musician who was closer than a brother to him.
When I told him the truth, Grant exploded; "You're lying", and stormed off. What a way to meet your idol after 12 years.
Not long ago, someone's wife asked me personal questions about her husband (a lifelong friend, if anyone knew she knew that I knew) after his funeral. I remembered Grant Green, and I lied like I had never lied before. When I finished, she began to have a peaceful look on her face.
You've got to know when to tell the truth, and when to lie.
The music I was listening to by Grant that brought tears to my eyes was "Feeling The Spirit"; this is music that's reminiscent of that night in 59 when he was playing just for himself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SHdqD077yY