Hi all, 

     It might surprise many of you who might remember me from my days as a reporter on Channel 8 in Dallas and as the Exec Producer of Good Morning Texas back in the day... that I have a very solid jazz connection in my family.

     I'm writing to let you know that and more because I'm at the stage in my 3rd year as an MFA grad student at SMU to put together my thesis project.  And because of a strong push from friends and faculty, I'm going to to tell the story of one of the most popular night clubs in NYC during the 40s and 50s.  It's considered by many to be the birthplace of BeBop.  The club was called Minton's Playhouse.  It was managed by Teddy Hill.  Teddy was my grandfather.  

      I've put together a "sizzle reel" to give you a taste of the story in hopes I might sway some grant funding my way to produce the story.  Would you do me the honor of checking it out? The link is below. 

Mondays at Minton's: http://www.indiegogo.com/Mondays-at-Mintons?key=adbef280dea5f086d82...

    I will write, produce and direct what will essentially be a one hour television special as my thesis project.  The title of my project is an homage to the reason Minton's was so famous.  On Monday nights, jazz musicians playing in New York City had the night off.  And on their off night, the manager of Minton's, Teddy Hill opened the club to both patrons and musicians to jam, enjoy a buffet and play to their hearts content.  

     The house band included Thelonious Monk, and Kenny Clarke.  And the "special guests" who liked to drop by nearly every week to join the band were Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie "Bird" Parker, and Charlie Christian. 

     I once met Dizzy Gillespie in the late 80s and showed him a photo of my mom.  He looked at it, then looked at me and waved the photo to his band mates and said, "Hey cats!  This is Gwen, I used to babysit her!"  You can imagine my surprise.   

     I've been assured by my Dean at SMU, Jose' Bowen, who is as you know, also a distinguished jazz musician, that I'm in the unique position to tell the story of Minton's but from the rare vantage point as Teddy's granddaughter.  A perspective never shared before.  This is a daunting challenge.  But I'm ready.  I just wish both Teddy and my mom were still with us to see and hopefully enjoy my project. (And guide me too!)

     Thanks for "listening" to my pitch.  Even if contributing isn't possible, just enjoy the sizzle reel and know how much I adored Teddy Hill.  

All the best,

Michelle Redmond