You never know

You never know where things are going to come from.
An accidental meeting, which has proven to be purposeful, with an author who is now a friend has led to the near completion of a book project that is one of the highlights of my publishing career.
Hans Offringa, a writer and expert on whisky form The Netherlands, brought me on to his latest book project, "Whisky and Jazz," while visiting the United States with his American wife, Becky, about a year and a half ago. I'm a contributing editor.
The "whisky couple," as they're known internationally, moved around Charleston socially on that visit and they casually talked about their latest effort. They were urged to hook up with me by many of the people they talked to.
My involvement in things jazz is known by many.
We met for drinks and live music at the Charleston Grill and then dinner at FIG through the auspices of Deneen Bell, a friend who just happened to be the property manager for the house the Offringas were renting during their stay. When they asked her if they knew me, she said yes and got us together.
We hit it off - personally and professionally - and agreed to a deal that had me editing the jazz side of Hans' book.
It was a collegial marriage made in heaven.
We worked well together since then and grew to like each other very much which, in my view, has led to a wonderful product.
Hans is a jazz fan; and the premise of the book is an analytical comparison of the characteristics of 10 whiskies with the musical traits of 10 of his favorite jazz musicians.
If I say so myself, the result of our efforts is a beautiful book that is totally unique and a serious contribution to the jazz literary canon.
The publishers left us alone to do our thing, trusted us and encouraged us to put out this masterpiece.
While it superficially appears that this was luck or happenstance, I believe it was providence.
The jazz gods smiled on us - and on me, once again.
As I've learned over the last four decades, jazz is about more than music.
This is more evidence.