Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Clinton and Wright Take 5

Former President Chats at Length with Saxophonist at Westglow

Story by David Brewer

The masterful and calculated Southern charm of one of the world’s most influential men was on full display as a handful of High Country dignitaries and supporters welcomed former President Bill Clinton to a campaign stop at Westglow Spa last Tuesday.

Guests paid $500 each to witness Clinton in action as he shook hands, posed for pictures and spoke at length on behalf of Senator Hillary Clinton’s bid for White House. The former president’s stop in Blowing Rock, as well as his speech later that day at ASU, were just two of several stops Clinton is making in North Carolina this week leading up to next Tuesday’s highly anticipated primary.

When guitarist Andy Page read in last week’s High Country Press that Clinton was coming to Westglow, he informed his bandmate, saxophonist and ASU professor Todd Wright. The longtime High Country jazzman quickly contacted Westglow, offering the pair’s services in the hope that sax player Clinton might enjoy some music.

As guests chatted inside Rowland’s, Westglow’s fine dining restaurant, Wright and Page played through their deep catalog of jazz standards before Clinton arrived. As the former president entered, the pair predictably played “Hail To The Chief,” and, according to Wright, immediately caught Clinton’s attention.

“As soon as we started playing, I could tell he noticed the music,” said Wright.
Wright was right on with his assessment. Clinton shook the hands of a few guests and then made a beeline for Wright, admiring his playing, as well as his instrument, immediately asking him what vintage his Selmer Mark VI saxophone was.

For what seemed like an eternity to some, including the musicians, Clinton and Wright spoke about vintage saxophones, the former president’s love of jazz and his Selmer sax, a model known as the Cigar Cutter.

Clinton’s musical appearance on the Arsenio Hall Show during his first bid for the White House was a watershed moment for the former Arkansas governor’s campaign. Wearing shades and playing Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel,” Clinton connected with the elusive youth vote. His playing has been documented on several other occasions, including a solo at the 40th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival held on the White House lawn.

“He told me that he doesn’t get to play as much as he would like to, but he really does love music,” said Wright. “He was in the other room signing autographs but he was listening all the while. When he came back in, he thanked us for playing “Take 5” by Dave Brubeck.”

President Clinton told Wright that he arranged for a performance by jazz legend and composer Brubeck at the White House during his presidency but had a difficult time convincing Brubeck that he loved his composition “Blue Rondo A La Turk,” the memorable opening track to Brubeck’s most famous record, Take Five. Only after Clinton whistled part of the song was Brubeck finally convinced. Clinton told Wright that an autographed copy of the sheet music for “Blue Ronda A La Turk” arrived at the White House the next week.

“It was hard to say anything, because the man likes to talk,” said Wright. “He demands your attention; he captivates you. No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, he’s a brilliant man. He’s meant so much to the black community.”

Apparently Clinton was equally captivated with speaking to Wright. Members of the Secret Service eventually interrupted their conversation and whisked Clinton toward the podium, where he addressed the crowd for between 30 and 40 minutes on a variety of national issues pertinent to his Senator Clinton’s campaign. During his speech, Clinton made special reference to the musicians, thanking Wright and Page on multiple occasions.

While preparing for the gig, it crossed Wright’s mind to bring an extra saxophone along with him in case the former president wanted to join him and Page on a song. But, convinced that the Secret Service might prevent Clinton from taking part, Wright decided to leave the extra horn at home. After his conversation, Wright wasn’t so sure he’d made the right decision.

“I’m convinced that if I’d brought an extra horn, he would have played,” said Wright. “I’ll remember it for a long time.”