Life Is Good, Warren Battiste at 97
Speaking with Steve Masakowski led me to Warren Battiste, a treasure house of stories from the distant past. I’ve never spoken with anyone his age—either a musician or anyone who is 97 going on 98 in November as he is. And my kids say I’m getting up there. I don’t think so.

More welcoming and conversationally gifted than many half his age, we engaged for more than...