Wine and Music

August 22, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Lifestyle

Wine and music is always a topic posted on wine forums. I post on Wine Spectators Forum, and I’ve given my input on what genre of music I like to listen to when I’m having a great glass of wine.

Friday and Saturday nights are down time for most people who work; for a wine lover, there’s nothing better than listening to great music while sipping wine. Some people find rock, country, R&B, and even techno to be their choice for wine music. Two of my favorite types of music to listen to is smooth jazz and classic soul.

I began to think about how wine lovers are creative and passionate about wine and the other pleasures of life. This concept made me immediately think of my high school classmate Lance Ellis. Our 30 year class reunion is at the end of August, so Lance’s music and story inspired this article. I really can’t believe it’s been 30 years since I graduated from high school; maybe that’s why I like to “chill out” with smooth jazz and wine!

Lance, like me, worked the traditional job; he was a postal worker in New Orleans. He realized that music chose him, just as wine has chosen me. So, he followed his passion and has become an accomplished jazz musician and has had appearances in movies, such as Ray (featuring Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles). I guess music is a part of my life and family because my step-son Herman James LeBeaux Jr. is also an accomplished musician and he was also featured in Ray; he was the handsome drummer.

Lance is also a wine lover. His preference is white, but he has been known to drink Merlot, which Miles the character in the wine movie Sideways criticized during the entire movie. Maybe if Miles had listened to Lance Ellis’s smooth jazz, he would fall in love with Merlot! Merlot was my first red wine love, so Miles may need to recheck his palate.

As you can see from that last statement, I think Lance’s music is ideal for sipping wine. So check him out at www.lanceellis.com. He is a New Orleanian just like me, trying to rebuild his life one note at a time!