I had heard about this story but only recently found the article with video clips and complete audio.
The Washington Post won a Pulitzer Prize for staging/writing this event in January, 2007. They had hidden cameras and a team of reporters to chase down and interview the people who stopped to listen. The full audio and time-lapse video is also embedded in the article Pearls Before Breakfast. They thought they would have crowd-control problems once he was found out – as he was playing his most challenging, energetic repertoire. For someone accustomed to multiple standing ovations – after finishing each piece, he was met with thunderous silence and indifference.
I have experienced this very phenomenon several times. A couple of years ago my friend, Sam Skelton, joined me at Violette Restaurant to play some tunes. Sam is easily the finest woodwind player I have ever known and is a professor at several colleges, a musical director of several esteemed bands, first-call session player, featured soloist for all the top shows/groups and has even recorded at Abbey Road Studios as a featured soloist for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. As we performed some very appropriate Gershwin, Ellington and Cole Porter tunes I was surprised that no one in the restaurant applauded or even recognized the quality of musicianship they were hearing. Then to my absolute horror, a guy came up to me and asked if the saxophone would stop playing because they were sitting too close and having difficulty having their conversation.
On several other occasions my friend, Russell Malone, has made surprise appearances at the same location and proceeded to perform for an hour or more without anyone even noticing. Personally, I find it shocking.
A lot of Americans are so ego centered that if they are not the center than they insist on rebuffing their environment to suit themselves. I have been guilty of such behavior, I am a work in progress and strive to be better. I was pleased that almost everyone of the Spitfire group watching the inauguration of Obama, listening attentively as the musicians played an original composition for the occasion. The only comment made afterwards was by myself and I said "Brilliant!". I often think that of what I hear you play, Dan, but don't tell you. I guess I'm telling you now. Love, B.
Posted by: Bev at January 21, 2009 09:43 AM