Gigging

I don't gig very much anymore. I used to play shows all the time. regular club dates, parties and events, accompanying. In a couple of weeks I'll have my 50th birthday, and driving an hour to a strange venue to either struggle with a crappy piano (or) lug a bunch of electronic gear (or) both has become less and less appealing.

Last night I played a trio date with some old friends. It was a book release party at the Berkeley City Club. Mixed reviews in my own head about the experience. Standards of the American song book are a staple in my musical background. For years I breathed them daily. Now, not so much. Here's the thing. I hold myself to a high production standard these days, and this type of gig is by its nature pretty sloppy. No rehearsal. Don't know the bass player very well. Audience inattentive at best. It could make a classical musician scream and sob. But oddly, by the third set, a certain amount of magic began to precipitate from the fog. I do love to get out on the tight-rope and jump up and down. And when it's beautiful, it's so satisfying. Listening back to my portable recording of the gig, I can confirm that there's about 15 per cent of the 3rd set that's actually listenable. Is that enough for me? For last night, yes, it was.