Alec Wilder's music has been a part of my life for many years. As a teenager, long before I left England for the United States, I listened to his now legendary Octets—comprising harpsichord, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, oboe, bass, drums, and flute—and was intrigued by the fascinating combination of classical melodies, graceful and light, that were played with a jazz beat. The pieces had style, elegance, and wit. Some of them were tender, some humorous; all had imaginative, sometimes puzzling titles: Jack, This is My Husband; The House Detective Registers; The Children Met the Train; It's Silk, Feel It; and so on. The melodies were so intricately woven among the various instruments that it was hard for me to pick out the main themes on the piano; I would just listen to records and let my imagination run riot.

Gradually I absorbed more Wilder music from the BBC. I’ll Be Around was a song that became popular in England, and While We’re Young was another. I never saw the sheet music. I just soaked up the melodies from hearing them. I’ve always gravitated toward harmonically intricate tunes with tender, romantic lyrics, and these songs had them. Later, after I came to the United States, I learned more Wilder compositions.

I first met Alec at the Hickory House in the 1950s, but it was just a brief meeting. Years later he came to hear my trio at the Rountowner in Rochester, Alec's birthplace. He evidently liked what he heard, for he kept coming back night after night. One night as he was leaving he said, “I’m going to write a piece for you—I’ll bring it in this week.” I was pleased, but I didn't really believe him. I forgot all about it until the next time he showed up at the Rountowner. He airily tossed me a sheet of music, on which was written, “Jazz Waltz for a Friend—a small present from Alec Wilder.”

I was delighted, and I couldn't wait to play the piece. It had a haunting melody that had a way of turning back on itself that I found fascinating. It was deceptively simple to play, yet hard to memorize and improvise on. Many of Alec's pieces are that way, but they are rewarding, for as you delve into them and explore their intricacies, you find fresh ways to go.