1965-Now working at the Britania making $30 a night
Sitting on stage all night was not easy. We only got off to change and dance. 6 nights a week with dancers 3 feet in front of you was a hell of a school.
The real first “power house” I worked with was Sabah. Most dancers that knew how, played drum with the band and for the other dancers just to have something to do. But Sabah was mind blowing. This girl had beat not only on that drum but in her dancing. Until today no one can compare to this woman’s sense of rhythm. Even after she quit dancing she continued drumming with the best groups of musicians in New York. She taught me and guided me but I never touched her talent.
Some years back Neenah and I went to New York and Sabah joined us. I asked her please to get up and play. 6/8, 9/8 and even 7/8 rhythm, which is an Armenian rhythm called “Laz” Mind you, she was already 70 years old. She sat in with the band like it was yesterday. I would recognize her hands any where. Artistic and magical, she choked up my heart.
