I played at the High Museum this evening at a banquet for very proper blue-bloods. You can tell when folks come from money and were sent to Ivy-League schools, they have an air about them. I'm not sure it is aloofness, I think they simply see the world from a different perspective.
I chatted briefly with a gentleman in the restroom, he mentioned the "rather large donations" he had made to the museum. When he realized I was in the jazz band he asked if we would play "Sophisticated Lady" sometime. That's cool, it is a classic tune by Ellington.
See the difference is if it had been some nouveau-rich... oh say, developer or business person, they would have requested something more like "Sweet Home Alabama" or "Margaritaville"... or if they thought they were hip to jazz, they would request "Take Five" -- Geez, gimme a break!
Anyway, the band was cool. The musicians I shared the stage with were Keith R. at the drums, master of the understatement and mate from high school days. Mack on keys, a self-taught natural talent that came up in the churches and bars of south Georgia. Bob L. another of the very rare native Georgians, but more urban, schooled and a master of all things brass and woodwind.
We made some great music but unlike painting or sculpture, music is a performance art and there are no physical artifacts. The moment in time must be witnessed, preferably by one who has the capacity and willingness to comprehend what's being communicated.
Posted by dancoy at January 12, 2005 11:37 PM