Musical Genius at Work

Surely one of the musical highlights in the history of the San Antonio Symphony occurred when Danny Kaye came in 1976 or 77 to give a benefit concert, the proceeds to be used to establish a retirement fund for the orchestra. From the first moment of the rehearsal, when Danny Kaye flung his baton over his shoulder, leaving the orchestra stunned with delight, to the time he pulled exactly the same stunt at the beginning of the concert (no one expected him to do it again), to the final downbeat, both the orchestra and the public were under his musical spell. What a delight! He was a true genius. And let's not overlook the genius of Louis Armstrong, either.