Leading the Blind

Gerrey can't drag a player piano into Smith-Kettlewell's offices, but he will play a few bars on his cornet if it's early enough and he knows he's not bothering anybody. And every Wednesday afternoon, when Smith-Kettlewell shuts down for snacks in the kitchen and pingpong games in the rec room, Gerrey is called on to bring the entertainment. That usually means his phonograph player and a stack of 78s, handed down from his father. Last week it was the '50s doo-wop quartet the Ink Spots; this week it's selections from Fats Waller, the great early jazz pianist.

Gerrey makes a beeline for a corner of the kitchen and begins setting up. It takes a while, since people are coming by to say hello and ask him what he's working on. But eventually he gets the phonograph ready. It's not a great one, one of those plastic, single-speaker portables used in classrooms, but it works fine. Opening the record album, he pulls out a disc and lays it on the turntable. Feeling for the tonearm, he cues it up, and Fats Waller dives into his "Yacht Club Theme."

Anthony Pidgeon

Tom Fowle at his office desk at the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute.

Anthony Pidgeon

Anthony Pidgeon

Ken Rossi in his Santa Rosa home. Gerrey has observed Rossi for his wheelchair research.

Anthony Pidgeon

Rossi at home with his friend Jesse Encinas. Rossi's paintings hang on the walls.

Anthony Pidgeon

Rossi at home with his friend Jesse Encinas. Rossi's paintings hang on the walls.

Anthony Pidgeon

Rossi at home with his friend Jesse Encinas. Rossi's paintings hang on the walls.

Related Content

• Our critics weigh in on local exhibits
  October 26, 2005
• Artbeat
  August 31, 2005
• Artbeat
  September 28, 2005

More About

• William Gerrey
• Thomas Fowle
• Ken Rossi
• Tom Fowle
• Eyesight and Eye Health

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

And with that, Bill Gerrey eases himself into the chair next to the phonograph, leans his head back, and lets out a sigh as if he were emptying himself out.

"All is right with the world," he says, listening.