Two musicians, only 171 years

Clarinetist Gerry Long is usually the elder member of his musical

duo.

Not on this night.

With his usual stage partner on tour in Spain, Long called on the

services of another friend, 97-year-old guitarist Bill Tapia.

Long, a 74-year-old Newport Beach resident, is a regular Friday

performer at Mother’s Market & Kitchen in Costa Mesa. He spent most

of his career as a real-estate broker but recently cut back on work

in order to concentrate on playing his instruments.

“My real world is music,” said Long, who also plays the ukulele.

“I’ve gotten much more involved in the past few years.”

A few weeks ago, while listening to Tapia’s recordings, he began

to write an accompanying clarinet part.

“I called Bill and said, ‘If you don’t like this, hang up and we

won’t talk anymore,’” Long said.

He played the clarinet part.

Tapia stayed on the line.

The two will play a combination of jazz, classical and Hawaiian

music at tonight’s concert.

Tapia, a Fountain Valley resident, has played with generations of

popular musicians, from Billie Holiday to Dizzy Gillespie.

“It’s a lot of fun playing with him,” Long said. “He’s such an

institution in the world of music. He looks 90 off the stage and 55

when he gets on stage.”