I saw the band play in 1998 twice. Once in the now Wachovia Center in Philly, and once at the now Tweeter Center in Camden, NJ. For the Camden concert, I and two of my friend from High School were in the 4th row, right in front of the violinist.

Throughout High School, and even into college, I was into jazz music. In High School, I played the alto and tenor saxophone. I even did marching band (yes I know, I’m a nerd) with a tenor sax, until the weight just started to hurt my back by too much and I had to use something lighter (and switched to clarinet for half of the time).

I can safely say that LeRoi was one of my heroes of the time. He showed us what you could do with a woodwind, and that the sax and flute had a place in popular music.

I will miss him. He was my favorite member of what was my favorite band throughout High School and much of College.