The Ed Hart Interview
Conducted By Paul Bax
Bruce Lee's root's in the martial way began in the scenic town of Seattle, Washington. A close friend and dedicated student of "the little dragon" who is often over looked as a link to the late martial arts master is the seldom heard from, Ed Hart. Hart, also a close associate of Lee's first American student, Jesse Glover, has retained much of Lee's early teachings and also added a considerable amount of grappling moves to his arsenal of already devastating techniques. In this interview, Mr. Hart reminisces of his fondest memories of Bruce Lee and his sadness he felt after his passing.
BEFORE BRUCE OPENED HIS OFFICIAL SCHOOL, THE WORKOUTS WERE EITHER IN PARKING GARAGES AND BACKYARDS...
Ed Hart: At first they were in our apartment and then in the yard and in the summer time we'd go out to the play grounds and in cold weather we'd go some where to get out of the rain. It didn't matter. We didn't have a regular school for quite some time.
HOW DID THE TRAINING DIFFER FROM ONE PERIOD TO THE NEXT?
EH: It didn't differ.
EVEN AFTER HE OPENED HIS FIRST SCHOOL?
EH: Yeah up until he opened his first school it was just informal. Just a bunch of us guys would get together and work out. When more guys started coming around it became kind of loose because a lot of guys would see what he was doing and then practice it for a few sessions and then you wouldn't see them anymore. There were a few guys who stayed with the core group and we all became good friends, but they were a lot of guys that were kind of "frenzies," you know.
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT BRUCE LEE'S EXACT PLANS ABOUT OPENING A CHAIN OF SCHOOLS?