Hit That Perfect Beat, Boy

And this is why I love the jazz world...

I went to see Annie Ross tonight. As it turns out, she's doing a weekly show again! I'm already looking forward to going back. It was a great set. She was working on some new stuff, which was fun to see (and would never have guessed had she not mentioned it, of course). It's cool to see someone who's got to be in her 80s still working new material. It's a nice venue, too. It reminds me of the intimacy of Yoshi's, but smaller. So, maybe second-set-on-a-Monday Yoshi's. I had a perfect seat with view of the piano player's hands and spitting distance to Annie (who made clear "Ms. Ross" did not apply).

I enjoyed every note (and picked up a few new tunes for myself, as well). Her trumpet player was a hoot and the rest of her quartet stellar, as is to be expected. There were a few audience members I could have shot, but they're everywhere--- the attention whores. (Yes, we get it-- you are a singer/whatever-- we didn't pay to see or hear you. And, yes, we've all heard that you worked with the trumpet player... in 1978... and even he is rolling his eyes). I heard some new tunes yet unexplored and made sure to write them down. The way she does "One Meatball" is not to be missed.

Next to me was a couple with whom I struck up a conversation afterward as we were waiting to pay our tabs. They were very sweet-- musicians, of course. We traded cards, they welcomed me to the city and gave me tips on where to go (the polite answer of where to go, that is, haha). I love how supportive the jazz world is. People happily tell you where to go to be heard, who books gigs more easily, potential pitfalls and caveats, etc. There are other sectors of the performing arts where there isn't always such a friendly reception-- where potential "competition" is seen as a threat rather than a complement. Typically being painfully shy when surrounded by strangers doesn't often help with networking, either.

I left armed with new contacts, new destinations, and lots of inspiration--- something of which I need lots, and on a regular basis. And, no, it's not just the two drink minimum talking ;)