“ … bassist John Leitham …did a spectacular job both as a backup and during a beautiful solo. He also has a very bright future.
I told you earlier I would have some words to say about bassist John Leitham and his performance. Only with Herman's band about a month, he hardly had time to get acclimated to Herd's style of music when he was asked to fill in for the ailing Heritage Hall bassist. What a job he did totally without rehearsal. It was like he had been a member of the group for years and had been banging that bass in a jazz group for longer than he's been alive.
Coming up through jazz era as I did, I listened to many excellent bass players and this young man has the potential of being the very best. He told me he would like to head west after some road training, and pursue a career in music. Good luck, John-hang in there. You're going to win and win big. I'll bet on it. ”
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