The director of the Mainstay, Matt Mielnick, included his perspective on me, and the "Frist Friday with Joe Holt" series that he initiated upon arriving here, in this week's Mainstay email blast. In order to preserve this beyond whatever email folders it resides in, I'll share it here:

"Joe Holt’s name is well known to Mainstay audiences, and to music lovers throughout the Delmarva Peninsula. I was introduced to Joe shortly after I was given the keys to The Mainstay in October of 2021. I had little direct information about him, but recognized that he was listed on the Concert Logs I was given as having a show every Monday night for the four years leading up to the pandemic. Alongside his name, each show highlighted a different guest performer, usually with widespread local credentials, but occasionally musicians that I recognized from as far north as my home in New York – and not all of them were jazz players. Well, I thought, this guy invites these people, serves as the host of the event and then moves aside for them to do their thing, perhaps jamming with them for a few tunes. I couldn’t have been farther off the mark.

Joe used our first meeting to give me his resignation. My first thought was that it must have been a challenge to find a really impressive different guest to spotlight every week. But after asking people about his shows, the truly surprising report I consistently received was not about the brilliance of his guests, but about how inspired the collaborations were. These were not jam sessions. They were well-planned, audience-focused productions, and Joe’s marvelous, at times capricious playing was the lynch pin. For you visual artists out there, try to complete a painting or sculpture every single week for four years that you’re proud to present to the public. I feel a panic attack coming on just thinking about it.

This is how local favorite Beth McDonald phrased it: "The most in-tune accompanist I have ever encountered, and not just because he hits the right notes (haha), but because he is able to meet those who share a stage with him exactly where they are. He isn't thrown off by switching genres or trying new arrangements. Musically speaking, he takes the hand of the one he's accompanying and together they find that sacred place of connection with their audience. It's a beautiful thing to witness, both as a fan and a fellow performer. He's quite simply the best."

Four years of Monday night shows (not most people’s preference for a night on the town), and Joe’s fans were always there. That's a compelling endorsement. The second time I met with Joe I tried my best to persuade him to continue doing these shows, but only on the first Friday of every month. The idea seems to have worked. Those that recognize his passion are already convinced. Those first-timers to his Friday night shows keep returning, regardless of who he shares the stage with. And Joe always shifts the spotlight onto his guests. But there’s another wide spectrum light that falls on him and the work he puts into each and every show. If you could read the label inside his jacket, I’m sure you’d find the following words printed – Joy, Sensitivity, Humility.

By the way, Joe and vocalist Sharon Sable have a new recording about to be released this month celebrating the music of Blossom Dearie, titled Once Upon a Summertime. If you come to Joe’s show this next Friday you can ask him about it."

It's always interesting (and in this case, nice) to see something through another's eyes. So thanks, Matt.   :)