JENNIFER JOHNSON: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HIM >>>

Guitarist Neil Andersson of Pearl Django walked into Slavonian Hall in Old Town Tacoma Saturday afternoon believing he was there to play a gig.

“Surprise!” the crowd of friends, loved ones and fellow musicians yelled and began to sing Happy Birthday.

Andersson’s lovely wife, Leah, orchestrated this celebration to honor him at his 65th birthday. I was fortunate to attend on the arm of trumpet player and entertainer Lance Buller.

Creative Leah asked guests to bring cheese, yes, cheese to the party. Seems her husband, the original Wailers’ guitarist, has a penchant for it. “Homage to the Fromage” read the humorous placard in the center of a cheese lovers dream spread, no pun intended. Among the almost 40 cheeses the most noteworthy ones were English cheddar with port wine, a handmade green peppercorn Marco Polo from Seattle, lemon stilton, New York sharp white cheddar, raspberry bellavitano and a rosemary asiago.

As the afternoon became evening, Neil and other Pearl Django members treated the crowd to a short impromptu set and delivered, as always, a stellar performance.

Tacoma concert promoter Mike Mitchell, who was seated at the table next to Lance and I, remarked of Neil, “He is this amazing gentleman with an incredible musical talent.”