Many of you know the story of Nathaniel Ayers, the subject of the book and film The Soloist. And you know of his ongoing relationship with LA Times columnist Steve Lopez, who found Mr. Ayers playing a two-string violin on the mean streets of LA. It was Mr. Lopez who discovered that this homeless man suffering from schizophrenia was once a promising Juilliard student. Mr. Lopez and Mr. Ayers became friends, and Mr. Lopez went on to write the book The Soloist.
And you know of Mr. Ayers
ongoing relationship with my capo dei
capi Adam Crane, who gave Mr. Ayers access to Disney Hall when Adam was
Communications Director of the LA Phil, which led to Mr. Ayers return to a community of musicians. Mr. Ayers still calls Mr. Crane on a regular
basis, and called most recently with amazing news. Mr. Ayers played the White
House as part of a ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the
Americans with Disabilities Act. Read.
