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Feb. 5, 1977

Dear Nell Blaine, 

Thank you for your catalog and your essay "Getting With Lester and Mondrian In the Forties."
Yes! I know that Lester played with Count Basie band in the 30's. The Ellington mention in the Profile was a review by John Gruen of my last show, when I had titled all my paintings after Ellington Classics

Last Spring, on some F.M. Radio station Columbia University, they held a 48 hour tribute to Lester Young. They play every record he ever made with Count Basie, Billie Holiday, his own group, tapes taken off Radio programs, etc. Interviews with some of the Count Basie former musicians. 

I grew up in Chelsea.  I met Gandy Brodie at