SKIP ELLSWORTH, JESSE GLOVER, AND BRUCE LEE.
As indicated in the right margin of the photo, this photo was developed in August, 1961 -- which obviously means that it was taken prior to that date. Skip can't remember exactly where it was taken, but he thinks it might have been at the World's Trade Fair in Seattle.
SKIP ELLSWORTH AND JESSE GLOVER.
In this photo, Jesse is in the process of doing a Kung Fu form. Skip is waiting his turn.
JESSE GLOVER, SKIP ELLSWORTH, SONNY UMPAD, AND RENATO ALPHONSO.
This photo was taken at the front door of Skip's house in 1993.
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JESSE GLOVER WAS BRUCE LEE'S FIRST STUDENT IN AMERICA.
Skip says that Jesse was the best student that Bruce ever had.
Skip says that Jesse had a profound effect on Bruce's life -- and that there never would have been a "Bruce Lee" (as people generally think of him) if Bruce had not met Jesse.
In Skip's opinion, Jesse is one of the very best martial artists in the world -- and one of the finest gentlemen (in every sense of the term) to ever become involved in martial arts.
Skip says;
"When it comes to Jesse Glover, I'm in awe of the guy. For one thing, I've seen the best fighters in the world, and I've never seen anybody better than Jesse -- except for Bruce Lee, of course."
"But even more important than Jesse's skills as a fighter, he embodies all of the excellent character traits that should be part of everyone's martial arts philosophy. He is totally honest, ethical, courageous, loyal, patient, forgiving, forthright, modest, and direct. He is also extremely intelligent, well-educated, and well-read. You can trust this guy with your life."
"At this time, if I have a 'hero' in the martial arts field, it is Jesse Glover. Jesse has been one of my very best friends for 40 years, and I have more respect for him than anyone alive."
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JESSE GLOVER AND SKIP ELLSWORTH.
In Skip’s opinion, Jesse Glover is the best student that Bruce Lee ever had -- and he knows more about Bruce’s martial art concepts than anyone. Even more important, Jesse was one of Bruce’s closest friends.
Jesse had a profound effect upon Bruce’s life. Skip doesn’t think that Bruce would have gone "all the way" with Kung Fu if it weren’t for Jesse’s influence and encouragement. Jesse (and Bruce’s other friends in Seattle) showed Bruce that Kung Fu could open many "socio-economic doors" for him in America.
In other words, Jesse helped to open Bruce’s eyes regarding what could be done with Kung Fu (socio-economically) in the American culture.
Skip feels that if it weren’t for Jesse, Bruce would have continued with his original plan (which brought him to this country in the first place) -- of obtaining a formal education, and becoming a teacher at the high-school or college level. Based upon his original plans, Bruce probably would have ended up teaching Philosophy, or Psychology, or Sociology.
In other words, Skip believes that if it weren’t for Jesse Glover, Kung Fu would have only remained a serious "hobby" in Bruce’s life -- and Bruce would have remained the world's best "in-the-closet" martial artist.
Thank you, Jesse -- for being such a good friend to Bruce -- and for being such a good friend to Skip.
[Jesse teaches selected students in the Seattle area, and gives martial arts seminars throughout the world.]
Skip says that Jesse is the best Kung Fu man in America. He often uses the word "awesome" to describe Jesse.