TY - JOUR TI - Angel in a briefcase DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3J10637 PY - 2017 AB - When I met John Hicks in 1982 he was already an internationally loved Jazz pianist who had recognition for his recordings, performances and continually growing acknowledgements.1 My relationship with John Hicks was multi-faceted, as I became not only one of his musicians but also his business partner. Our personal relationship became romantic and eventually resulted in marriage. From the time that John Hicks entered my apartment with his brown leather briefcase filled with music for our first rehearsal, I was filled with respect for a man who truly “lived” music. The ballad by John Hicks, Angel with a Briefcase, alludes to the fact that Sonny Clark, whom he has honored in one his recordings, carried many of his songs around with him in a satchel. John Hicks, in his tribute album, In the Key of Clark, seems to appropriately describe himself. I feel it is my obligation to share this legendary musician’s accomplishments as he made it clear from the day that we met that he wanted to be remembered. KW - Jazz History and Research LA - eng ER -