This is a tough one...Oscar Peterson and Michael Kidd, both gone within a day of each other? Sheesh.
I didn't know Mr. Peterson, but I did have the privilege of interviewing Michael Kidd on his work and that of Agnes DeMille for a piece on the DeMille family many years ago. Talking about dance with him was fascinating because he had such a snap and a wit...talking about dance is tough and he was endlessly ifascinating! He's one of the few I could have gone back to gladly for another hour (or ten).
I also loved his humor. At one point, my former partner Keith Lawrence popped off with one of his trademark, tasteless non-sequiturs (driven by only-God-knows-what impulse) when Kidd mentioned his wife.
"Gee, I thought you were gay," the absolutely unaware and uninhibitable Keith mused.
I gagged: not the first or last time that happened with Keith.
Kidd, ever the smart-mouthed Brooklyn lad, whipped out a comeback without even taking a breath.
"I used to be, but that was just to get into show business."
What a guy...read all about his life and times....
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