ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
It's not often we get to see a reunion 40 years in the making, but that's just what took place in Anchorage a couple weeks ago.
87-year-old Clon Von Fitz reunited with Dennis Mackrell, the leader of the world-famous Count Basie Orchestra that was in town a couple weeks ago.
Clon was Dennis' mentor when Dennis was 9 years old, learning to play the drums in Anchorage.
After Dennis hit it big, he hadn't returned to Anchorage in 40 years, and until recently, never had the chance to say thanks to Clon.
Dennis' band spent time paying it forward, too. The Count Basie Orchestra spent time mentoring kids in middle and high school jazz bands throughout the week.
