Daniel Zwickel

From three-and-a-half years at San Diego State (Mr. Taylor's alma mater), first as a Spanish major, then voice, I became a professional musician (singer/guitarist as Daniel ben Avram) did my service as a conscientious objector, moved to the Bay Area and now live in Vallejo. I continued songwriting, composed, designed websites, hosting and maintaining through PeaceHost.net, did some book editing, became reacquainted with my fiddle and now play amateur jazz violin. I continue my parents legacy of peacde work social activism. I love jazz, love to write and play with words and watch YouTube way too much, hugely exacerbated by the pandemic. Life is good.

Barbara Bullock and I fared well at the Redlands University Music Festival, the only violinists to make it to the festival-end invitational. Hey, Barbara! Still play?

You all remember the Sophomore Class Variety Show, and my totally unintentional laugh? With Danielle (I hope I remember your name correctly) on piano we did a Jack Benny skit. I guess that was funny. To refresh, I hurry onstage late. My accompanist feared I would show up and had begun playing on her own. When I finally arrived, I tried and failed to get her attention, tapping her on the shoulder with my violin bow. Finally, I play the Benny theme song, screechingly. Badly. Exasperated, she slams the piano keyboard. Okay, yeah, that was funny. We went on to play "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." And that was cool, my first real taste of show biz.

But what was misinterpreted was my turning to her with a gesture of, "So there." What you, the audience interpreted it as the classic Jack Benny "So there!" I got a terrific laugh out of you guys by accident.

I went on to play in the San Diego Stage symphony and opera orchestras, played casuals and did some studio work. But it was folksinging that got me my first club gigs.

But I'll never forget the gift you all gave me that time.