I gave a lot of thought to my list of gift recommendations this holiday season. I really thought about what makes me smile. Below are my number one very personal choices, which I feel at least one of these gifts will put a huge smile on somebody’s face. The prices range from $21 – $6,000.00. Depending on your income, any one of these will make an excellent gift selection.

I had the good fortune to watch three legends perform together at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood, CA, on May 15, 2012. They were drummer Jack DeJohnette, bassist Stanley Clarke, and pianist Chick Corea; and they were in concert celebrating Jack DeJohnette’s 70th birthday. The sounds coming from Catalina’s stage that evening could send a jazz lover straight to heaven.

I have seen Stanley Clarke perform a few times: The Playboy Jazz Festival in Pasadena; his home, where I actually sat in with him once; and last week at the Catalina Bar & Grill on October 14, 2010. The man does not disappoint.

When Dizzy was performing, I was looking at him and pinching myself: “This man is actually my employee? I’m employing Dizzy Gillespie?” It’s quite a feeling! His performance was on Easter weekend. My husband bought a big lamb. We cooked it and invited all the musicians. We had a feast that Dizzy Gillespie always talked about.