Seeing pianist Chris play song after song, often sight-reading or playing from memory, it occurs to me that it might be a good idea to get his contact details. I'm used to actively networking for my business, so it does not seem like a very big leap for me to ask him for his card. At this stage I have no particular reason for keeping in touch - simply that I might possibly need good musicians in the future.
Chris immediately hands over his card and says"I'd be very pleased to accompany you, whenever you have a gig".
As if I was about to have one.
Over the next few months, I visit Chris' home studio several times. Chris is already familiar with a lot of the Brazilian songs that I want to sing. He helps me to find the right keys for my songs. He pencils the new keys into my song books. We rehearse the songs I would like to perform at Cabaret Live. He suggests arrangements for the songs, for example, we put an instrumental break into the middle of it and vary the ending. I take my "conference kit" voice recorder and use it to record Chris playing the song, so I can practice with the piano music.
I start to build up a collection of custom-made backing tracks. It makes a huge difference to be able to practice the songs at home with accompaniment. And when I get on stage at La Boheme, I know what I'm going to do, which reduces my anxiety.
All the while, I marvel that I can purchase music genius by the hour.
Chris also mentions that he plays with a modern jazz group at La Boheme every Wednesday night. I've seen the poster for this event - the band is called The New Cabal.
Click here to watch The New Cabal live at La Boheme
One Wednesday night I venture in to see their show. The bar is packed with eager jazz enthusiasts. They whoop, yell and applaud each virtuoso solo. The tiny stage is crammed with musicians and equipment.
It's like something you would find in New York. Except that I can park around the corner. And I can sit at a table right in front of the stage, where I can watch Chris' fingers scramble amongst the keys and see him almost levitate above the keyboard as the intensity builds.
It's mid-week magic, and La Boheme has become one of my favourite places in the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment