editor’s message Magic Moments

The two men are giants in their fields folks were given the Presidential — Pressler, 92, the unparalleled classical Medal of Freedom by President Barack pianist and co-founder of the Beaux Arts Obama (see page 62). As an adolescent, Trio, and Baker, 84, the great jazz player, I idolized Mays and spent endless composer, and teacher. Their paths hours arguing with my boyhood friend rarely cross, though each holds the other Eric over who was the better player, in the highest esteem. So being together Mays or . (The correct was a special occasion for both. answer is Mays.) Our photographer, Shannon Zahnle, At the White House, Hamilton got caught a touching moment during to talk to Mays about The — that a break in the formal cover session: amazing, over-the-head, running full- Pressler and Baker — kindred souls in speed catch made by Mays in the 1954 the twilight of their long, brilliant careers , generally regarded as the — holding hands. greatest of all time. For a baseball fan, talking to Mays about The Catch would * * * * * be like chatting with Neil Armstrong about his first steps on the moon. It’s Menahem Pressler and David Baker. I was in a hallway at the Indiana THAT BIG! (By the way, Lee, the ball Photo by Shannon Zahnle Memorial Union more or less minding was hit by ; I don’t know where my own business, when I felt a strong I came up with .) It’s not easy doing Bloom. It takes a lot hand grip my upper arm from behind. I Retirement, shmirement. Florida’s of hard work and long hours and every turned to find Lee Hamilton. for altacockers. And I’m not there — yet. day there are problems and sometimes We had met only once before, a few Hope you enjoy the issue. I think I’d be happier walking on a years back, so I was surprised he knew beach in Florida, taking naps, and who I was. He said some nice things Malcolm Abrams having the time to read all those books about Bloom and mentioned that he [email protected] I want to read. had talked about the magazine earlier And yet I can’t give it up. Part of the that day at an Indiana bicentennial reason is that when I look back after committee meeting. As it was Lee we put an issue to bed there are always Hamilton, I will remember those special moments that I would never have comments for a long time. known otherwise. Here are a couple that Hamilton represented the 9th occurred while working on this issue. Congressional District of Indiana in It was an event in itself when five the U.S. House of Representatives for masters of the Jacobs School of Music 35 years and, among his many other gathered to have their picture taken accomplishments, served as vice chair of for our cover. All are world-renowned the 9/11 Commission. performers and all have been teaching But what I will really treasure is at the Indiana University music school that for the next five minutes or so we for more than two decades. Menahem talked about . In November, Pressler has been there for 60 years Hamilton had been at the White House and David Baker for 50. where he and Mays and some other The Catch by Willie Mays. AP Images

10 Bloom | February/March 2016 | magbloom.com