Every year Henry Hodge, my father’s best friend from St. Louis, Missouri would go to Copenhagen for the Jazz Festival, spend time with his girlfriend, and Jazz Artist Friends.
Henry has a collection of the yearly Copenhagen Jazz Festival Postcards, so I decided to post a few of them as there are too many to share.
While in Copenhagen, Henry Hodge met Jazz artists such as Ed Thigpen. An American drummer that played with Oscar Peterson Trio and many other greats. Ed moved to Copenhagen in 1972.
Ed Thigpen’s Obituary
Ed Thigpen was born December 28, 1930 and died January 13, 2010.
Richard Boone was another artist my uncle, Henry Hodge met and socialized with in Copenhagen. Richard Boone was also an American Jazz artist and a Scat singer that moved to Copenhagen.
Richard Boone was born February 24, 1930 and died February 8, 1999.
More about Richard Boone
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| My Father Dr. Wally Porter, Richard Boone, Ed Thigpen, Henry Hodge Photo from the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper |
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| Ed Thigpen & Richard Boone |
Ed Thigpen & Richard Boone came to San Diego a few times to visit. I distinctly remember one Summer when they came to visit Henry Hodge at his home in the the late 80’s.
It was customary for Henry to have a Summer gathering, and these were his special guests. I was familiar with Ed Thigpen and Richard Boone as I would hear conversations among my parents and Henry. My father Wally Porter and Henry Hodge had been entertaining jazz artists in their homes through the years, and I am so appreciative that I have been exposed to this.
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| Ed Thigpen & my mother Betty Porter |
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| Henry Hodge, Richard Boone, unidentified gentleman |
Digging Roots: My Family History 
You are so lucky to have had such a wonderfully rich childhood. So many interesting people have touched your life. Thanks for sharing.
Andrea,
It is interesting that you say that, but my appreciation did not happen until later in my life, realizing that every experience has been a blessing and a contribution to my understanding of life.