Editor: When Friday afternoons signaled the end of the workweek, we`d start thinking about going to the Island Hotel to enjoy the improvisational piano of Joel Benefiel accompanied by Dick Frost on his drums. If we got there early enough, we`d find a quiet table in the hotel`s dark back room, order a drink, a blue cheese burger, then relax for a few hours of smooth jazz classics that Joel improvised on his Yamaha piano while Dick maintained a quiet back beat with his snare, bass and high hat. Occasionally, other musicians would join them, and it could be magic. Each weekend, regular as the tide, Joel arrived a little before six o`clock, said hello and shook his fans` hands, maybe shared a beer with a friend, then dimmed the lights, turned and nodded to Dick, and delivered a musical treat. Unfortunately, Joel has been ill, so our favorite duo hasn`t played together for many months. On behalf of his friends and fans, we wish Joel all the best and send him good wishes for a speedy recovery. A Friday night without Joel`s music is a sad way to end the week. Get well soon, old friend. We miss you. Jeff Dwyer & Elizabeth O`Grady |
