Jack's perspective, commitment helped jazz up Charleston

"I've learned that no matter what happens, you gotta find the good times inside."

-- Jack McCray's favorite quote from jazz great and Cheraw native Dizzy Gillespie

Dizzy's philosophy accurately reflects that of former Post and Courier feature writer and jazz columnist Jack McCray. When the news broke early Thursday that the affable, muti-talented Charleston native, 64, had been found dead Wednesday in his Coming Street apartment, shock waves raced through the city's jazz community.

Especially devastated was the nonprofit Jazz Artists of Charleston (JAC) co-founded in 2009 by McCray and trumpet player extraordinaire Charlton Singleton, to serve as sponsor of the new Charleston Jazz Orchestra (CJO), now finishing its third season at the Charleston Music Hall. Moderating what was to be his final concert on Oct. 22, Jack announced that because of the CJO's overwhelming success, that the six productions of the 2012 season would feature two concerts, rather than one, to be performed back-to-back on the same evening. He was exuberant.

And so Thursday at 5 a.m., when my husband, Franklin, woke me and held out a printed-out photo of Jack with a statement from the JAC, I felt as if I were in the middle of a bad dream.

Since I sat three desks away from Jack for nearly 17 years, I looked upon him as much more than just a co-worker.

On my first day at The Post and Courier, Nov. 12, 1991, everyone was friendly. But, seeming to sense my loneliness, Jack invited me upstairs for a cup of coffee.

Earlier, I had heard him humming "Shiny Stockings," Count Basie's signature tune. Since I was a huge Basie fan, and my husband is a jazz pianist, I asked Jack if he were a jazz buff.

Subsequently, Franklin and Jack had numerous conversations about the nuances of jazz.

Nearly every Sunday, Jack and I had the newsroom to ourselves. We would be silently working away, taking advantage of the rare quiet.

But sometimes we took a break. And once, over Cokes, Jack told me about learning to play the trumpet in the third grade and playing with the Burke High School Band until age 16.

"My parents realized I was not getting an adequate education in our segregated school system, and so they sent me to New York to stay with relatives and attend the Brooklyn Friends School," he explained.

Because of the academic demands, he was forced to abandon his beloved trumpet, but he told of sneaking into Harlem jazz clubs to hear Dizzy Gillespie, and other jazz artists.

Also Jack calmly listened when, in a state of despair, I told him about my father's and mother-in-law's cancer diagnoses.

Jack knew all about caring for ill parents because for nearly a decade he had to leave work for a few hours each day to care for his own ailing parents.

"You just do what you can, but don't let go of your life or your dreams," Jack would advise. He also loved to say, "I don't worry about a thing because I know nothing's gonna be all right," borrowing a quote from pianist Mose Allison.

Through the years, I learned Jack and I shared a common goal, which was to further integrate the audiences at theater productions, and dance and classical music concerts. When I would review these performances, I would notice that audiences were mainly white.

Upon leaving The Post and Courier in 2008, where he had worked for 23 years, Jack, armed with his million-dollar smile and his gentle manner, set about forming a first-rate jazz band and bringing public recognition to local musicians.

"I believe people should value local jazz musicians and should pay them as professionals," he would say.

As the concerts became more popular, I noticed that the Charleston Music Hall was totally integrated with nearly an equal number of African-Americans and whites, all savoring the various jazz genres.

One morning last fall, I was picking up Jack to go have lunch. Ducking under the golden rain trees in the yard of the home of his now-deceased parents, Jack wore his trademark fedora and had a slight swagger -- all was right with his world.

I hope that when the CJO performs on Nov. 23 that the concert will feature Jack's favorite tunes such as "Shiny Stockings," Freddie Green's "Corner Pocket," and, most of all, Henry Mancini's "Mr. Lucky."

Dottie Ashley is the arts columnist of the Charleston Mercury.