" You give the rushed hordes transversing the huge tunnels below O'Hare a great shot of brightening joi de vivre! You transform the tunel environment, making it much better. I know it's not easy playing and having hundreds or even thousands of people pass before one drops money in the case, or stops to talk. As a society we need to do more to support our artists and the arts, both tangibly and spiritually. "

"So thank you for doing what you do for all of us Samuel."

" I too am happy we met. I hope to see you again, and to hear you play for a longer time! 
I really enjoyed your playing this morning at O'Hare. Glad we had a few moments to talk, and for you to let me know about your web site. Wow! Worlds converge. That's what I thought after looking at your web site. Now I really understand why we talked!"

I have even taken my (now 11 year old) daughter to see Nicole Mitchell a few times. I played Muhal, Joseph Jarman and Anthony Braxton on Chicago FM radio beginning in 1970. I remember writing an article about a Muhal club date for the Chicago Seed newspaper where I worked, around 1971 when I was about 18. I have known Douglas Ewart and Bob Koester for decades.

Over the past 39 years, I have probably been to more than 100 AACM/AACM musician concerts and performances, from the Child City and Fred Anderson Bird House days, to both of the Fletcher Henderson tributes a few years ago and the new Velvet Lounge.

From 1978-81 I was public affairs director at WNIB-FM and did a weekly program of interviews and documentaries. I managed to work in a program with Malachi Favors Magoustous and Famodou Don Moye about the Art Ensemble.

These days, I am working on a documentary film and do marketing consulting to keep body and soul together.

Will sign up for your email list.

Thanks again for the music and for taking a few minutes to talk this morning.

All the best,

Mitchell Lieber