Seriously, I was just popping over to pick up some bottled soda water – about the only thing at Whole Foods you can get for a bargain – and to my own surprise, ended up playing my flugelhorn on the street!

As I was coming out with my six-pack, I heard this awesome alto sax/flute player belting out a jazzy standard. I listened for a while, waited for a break, and then approached him check out his story. Turns out, he had a gig in Baltimore with Gladys Knight and the Pips, and was picking up some extra cash while entertaining the glitterati on P Street.

Lorenz Wheatley

I told him I had played with the Pips 30 years ago, and would he mind if I ran home to get my horn to join him, to which he answered, “yeah, bring it!” We played a few tunes, including I Remember Clifford, All Blues and Polka Dots and Moonbeams. 

Whole Foods Jam

Lorenz is a fine player and was gracious enough to let me stumble through a few choruses. If you keep your eyes and ears open, you just never know who you might meet on the street.