Can You Hear Me Now?

I love me some music. Especially live. So when bands that I love are playing, or people are in town to do a show that I absolutely must see, I don’t let the fact no one can go with me stop me. I’d rather not go alone, of course, but sometimes it’s just hard to round someone up. So if it’s a must-see event for me, I will just bite the bullet and head out alone, which is getting easier the more I do it. I’m not one of those people who has a problem eating in a restaurant alone or even going to see a movie alone (perhaps my being single forever and ever and ever has something to do with my attitude about this. Some people think it takes courage, I think it’s just necessary sometimes if you want to get out!). I would welcome the opportunity to take a vacation somewhere like Mexico for a one week all-inclusive sort of trip allllllll by myself… that would be awesome. You never know who you may meet or what might happen, and when you’re alone and people watching, you generally seem more approachable, so meeting people and making new friends is a definite possibilty. Moreso than if you’re with someone!

So Wednesday night there was this big Jazz Festival event downtown. I had a friend set to go with me, but she called a couple hours before I left to cancel because she wasn’t feeling well (something I totally identify with… the “I just can’t do it tonight” fatigue). I was disappointed of course, but certainly not enough so that I was going to miss out myself. I mean, the Polyjesters were performing, and they are my favourite band on earth… it would take a lot (kidnapping, hospitalization, held at gunpoint) for me to miss them.

So I arrived at the hoity toity jazz club (there is something wrong in the world when wings are on the menu for $12) and Jason from the Polyjesters greeted me at the door. He’s got a new look and I didn’t even recognize him at first!! (He’s always been cute, but DAMN, the guy looks good!) I grabbed a great table overlooking the dance floor/stage and settled myself in for the night. Jason soon joined me and we talked before and during the opening act (the BIG jazz/swing band). I’ve never actually had a real sit down conversation with Jason before outside of “hi, how are ya?” and “great show as usual, see you next time…” so this was nice. He introduced me to everyone that passed by the table and offered to buy my drinks and was just a total sweetheart. Local jazz great Tim Tamashiro also joined us, and stayed sitting with me when The Polyjesters went up to play. So I was not alone at all the entire night, and had a really good time! The Polyjesters make me oh-so-very-very-happy!! And it turns out the drinks Jason thought he was buying for me ended up on Tim’s tab and he paid for them, which I had no clue about until after Tim had already left . Woot! I will have to return that favour someday should I ever have the pleasure of having a drink with him again. Good man, that Tim.

So that was Wednesday. Last night (Thursday) I headed out to the bar to check out Jim Bryson who was playing with Oh Susanna and in town from Ontario. Not knowing anyone in the band this time, this really was a completely solo venture, except for the few minutes my friend Pete popped in to say hi (he was jammin’ next door).

So I sat alone and received the sympathy looks and extra nice treatment from the staff. Hell, even the owner came and sat with me for a few minutes LOL. I introduced myself to Jim and we chatted briefly. The show started later than expected, because it was unclear who was actually opening for who, so instead they decided to just go up on stage together and do one long set, going back and forth between each other’s songs. I guess Jim and Oh Susanna go waaaay back and play together all the time, so this is not unusual. It was a great show! I knew most of Jim’s stuff because I’ve got his CD (and bought an older one off of him last night) but I’d never heard Oh Susanna before, and she was really good too. Great music, and fun audience banter… Jim is REALLY a funny guy. And you know you’re with real people when the singer stops in the middle of her song to tell an audience member to SHUT UP! Hee! There was a table behind me talking really loud too so I told them “I paid $8 to listen to THEM, not YOU, do you mind???” Geesh.

After the show I got chatting with a guy who had been sitting at the table next to me; he is an old friend of Jim’s, I think his name was Jay, and he was really nice and talkative. He told me I could find him on the “Rush message forum”. I told him he could find me on the “BillyNotes” forum! (It’s always nice to know people who support live music in Calgary and like to go out and see bands. I may very well hunt him down. BTW he’s happily married so don’t go thinking whatever you are thinking!! ) Jim sat down and joined us for a bit. I got my CDs signed and took a few pictures. Jim added me to his e-mail list so I’ll know about future shows out this way… he has been to Calgary a lot in the past and has a lot of fans out here! I can be counted as another one now. Good times.

Around 1:00 a.m. I left and walked over to the bar next door where I knew my friend Pete was still hanging out after the jam there. I missed all of that, but I did get to chat with Pete for a few more minutes and get a big hug and kiss.

Two nights in a row going solo, and I had a lot of fun and lived to tell about it. I went to bed at about 2:30 a.m. and tonight I’m going out AGAIN, but this time with other people. For real!