Few people know this, but the political writer and thinker William F Buckley was my first boss - I was an associate editor at his magazine, National Review. Yesterday, WFB (as we called him in the office) passed away at his home at the age of 82.

Why write about WFB here? Because he introduced me to Ella Fitzgerald and the two great albums that she recorded "The Cole Porter Songbook" Each summer, he would bring his entire staff by bus to his home and we would have a good old fashioned barbeque by the water. He had Ella on the whole party and I asked him what collection it was - and he brought me to his stereo and we talked about Ella and Sassy Sarah Vaughan. It was just a great day - great music and wonderful company. And I always put an Ella track or two on any party mix I create now! Thanks WFB!