Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Hubert gave us the most special of all gifts. Yes, of course, we all know he was a stellar musician. His performances lit up the stage. He was awarded high recognition by many. All this I will remember, but what I shall treasure always is that beaming smile: The one that greeted me, and everyone, in a way that made you feel that you were exactly the person he was waiting to see at that very moment. His contagious zest for life made it impossible to be anything but joyful in his presence. So many stories, but among the more recent: In early 2010, sitting with Hubert stageside at Great American Music Hall (San Francisco) during concert for the Scott Rosenbaum/Joseph White film “Once & For All�, Toni Ann signaled that Hubert’s moment to go onstage arrived. He turns to me, pats my hand and says,
“Now, don’t go nowhere, I’ll be right back!� With Hubert, it wasn’t just a passing statement. He looked you in the eye and meant it. . Each delicious encounter with
Hubert was like that. That’s the way he seemed to face life: He looked life in the eye, and meant every note. — I am so grateful for every smile, every hug, every note he gave me-and everyone. Love always, and wherever. See ya later , friend. Barbara
