Spiritual, Complex, Humble

My band did a gig Friday night - the usual rough and tumble affair! - and, oddly enough, didn't work the rest of the weekend. Of course, this made me very itchy, so on Sunday, I drove to a jazz club to check out an old friend of mine - a keyboardist who played with me in a band in the mid 90s. I hadn't seen this particular guy for about 13 years (!), but had very fond memories of him as a person AND a superior musician.

Wow. What an unbelievable way to spend three hours. I heard some amazing and exciting jazz and fusion music, performed by players who were skilled AND gifted - now THAT'S a scary combination. Through it all my friend smiled and sang, while the band performed complex, challenging music with no rules or restraints.

The band was comprised of heavy hitters, guys with VERY fat resumes. Trust me when I say you'd be BLOWN AWAY if I told you who these cats had played with. My keyboardist friend gave me the lowdown on each guy, and I knew I was in for a great night of music. However, if you walked up to them and talked to them you'd never know who they played with or what they've done. The best guys - the cream of the crop - are humble and reserved. They don't tell you about their lives, which top 40 hit maker they played with, how many times they've toured the earth. Instead, they sit back and let their music do ALL the talking. Spend any time with great musicians and you learn one very true thing: the best musicians in the world are the ones who just lay it down. They don't need to talk about it.

When I spoke with these guys on break they were humble and unassuming, more interested in my time playing with my friend then in telling me about their lives. There's another telltale sign you're in the presence of greatness. These guys take more interest in the other person - they want to know about YOU. They don't brag about gear, or endorsements, or hits or any BS. Let me put it this way: when some dude tells you he's spent $8,000 on his bass - before you hear him play one note - run away, quickly.

Anyway, I told each of them that listening to what they were creating was more than moving - it was spiritual, in the way that great music IS. Each one of them said "thanks" in such a humble way, I'm convinced that they KNOW how powerful their playing is, but they feel equally as blessed as the listener by it.

I know I was. Thanks guys.