My grandfather was hands down one of the coolest, classiest, funniest people I have ever met. In addition, one of the most talented pianists and composers. I remember being a kid going to see him headline at the Village Vanguard every December, usually falling asleep wondering when I could go home. lt wasn't until I got older that I would fully understand and appreciate he was a jazz legend. Cedar wasn't one to be fooling around with kids 😂 so it wasn't until I got to college and lived in New York that I was able to develop a closer relationship with him. He lived in Park Slope and when he was in town we would have many Italian dinners (his favorite), share many laughs and many glasses of champagne. I'd see him play at every jazz club across the city. I got to witness him being honored at Lincoln Center as a National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master. This past week, I was able to go to Bologna, Italy, one of his favorite cities. I got to see @camerajazzmusicclub, a jazz club his dear friend and fellow musician Piero (big love and major thank you @pieroodorici) opened right before the pandemic in dedication to my grandfather. I got to see my grandfather's plaque on the Bologna Strada del Jazz, a street where they honor jazz musicians. I got to eat at my grandfather's favorite restaurant in Bologna, Ristorante Diana, where they greet you with champagne when you are seated, there are chandeliers, the waiters are in suits and the tables are adorned with white linen and proper silver. A place that has a timeless old school glamour about it; details I know my grandfather appreciated. I miss my grandfather every day. I miss his humor. I miss the way he wouldn't say 'bye' on the phone and would just hang up. I miss seeing him play music. Being able to see reflections of my grandfather in another part of the world felt surreal. Hearing stories about him from his friends there, being able to dine in places I knew he enjoyed, being in a city I know he loved. I am so thankful for my memories with him and even more thankful to now have Bologna as a reminder of him that I will cherish forever❤️