Back in Jersey, life was not always bad. Sure, we had the Lou Magazzu’s and George Norcrosses to deal with, along with the surety that every election was crooked.
My big mouth ensured that I was on Norcross’s list. Judge Gary Wodlinger, before becoming a judge, warned me that I was messing with the wrong people, but unlike him, I felt integrity was important in the political process.
But enough of that bullshit. Cabanas! Cabanas was one of two bars in Cape May that hosted the jam sessions for the twice annual Cape May Jazz Festival. Friend Alan Weber always reserved a table for us. Lou Capozzoli, owner of Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar in south Philly would join in with Alan Weber, both playing sax, during the jams. Gino White would often join in on guitar.
We never missed the jams, always going with the Old man, Mo Pagano. I miss the Old Man. We would meet us at out house, and pour a shot of Dewars in his coffee before we headed out to Cap May. We were always first in line, watching the waves hit the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, rain or shine.
It was never long before Mo had singled out an attractive young woman to dance with. He sure could cut a rug.
As Mo used to say, “Good times!”