Joe Williams

* As a No. 1 fan of Joe Williams, I will miss him very much (obituary, March 31). He could reach out to me, whether on records or in a concert. Never mind that I’m a jazz lover, Joe went beyond the scats and the riffs. The last time I saw him perform was about two years or so ago at Cerritos Performing Arts Center. The audience did not want to let him off the stage. Walking slowly, he returned for his last encore. He sat on a stool and sang the quiet ballad, “When Did You Leave Heaven?” Some of the lyrics are, “When did you leave heaven? Why did they let you go? How’s everything in heaven? I’d like to know.” His rendition of that song touched and haunted me for days.

Now, I think that Joe knows the answers to the questions he asked that night.

MARGARET HEHMAN-SMITH

South Gate