Sallyacious

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February 28, 2009

Friday Night

Has gone down in my personal history as one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

Bobby McFerrin's set was over 90 minutes and included some of the most amazing music I've ever heard. Not only did he solo, he played with the audience, did vocal duets with three random audience members, a duet with Bob Stoloff who does body percussion (I took his workshop today, I am clearly not cut out to be a drummer, but he's incredible), a duet with John Clayton and a couple of numbers with John Clayton and Monty Alexander. THEN, he sang with a group of people who'd been selected from his clinic earlier in the day. And after that, he did one more solo piece. It was, as I said to Dave later, truly one of the best pieces of theatre I've ever seen. He's not only an unbelievably gifted performer, he's a tremendously generous one as well.

And he was so clearly having fun on that stage that we couldn't help but go along with him and have fun too.

His music set everyone smiling in joy and rapture and silliness and disbelief. So many wonderful emotions connected with his songs. At one point I noticed that except for him, it was utterly quiet in the dome. There was no coughing, no shuffling, no rustling. Dead, rapt silence and Bobby McFerrin. I've never heard it so quiet in there. Last night was such a gift for me and the other 4000+ people who got to hear it. How lucky are we?

If you ever have a chance to see him perform, DO IT. You will not regret it, you will only regret not going.

But before Bobby McFerrin's set, there was a set with Benny Green, Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton, followed by a couple of bass duets with John Clayton and Paul Keller and then Monty Alexander played with John and Jeff (I think. I remember it was wonderful, but I don't recall exactly who was in it besides Monty because, well, many things are foggy at this point.)

And after Bobby McFerrin, there was the after party, which, as my friend Heather said, made the night even MORE amazing when Monty Alexander joined the group of Russian musicians who were playing (with a female drummer from WSU and Benny Green on piano) ON THE BASS. Did you know he played bass? Because I didn't, and neither did most of the people I've talked to. He clearly knew what he was doing, however, and it was just fun. Then, Clayton Cameron picked up the drums, a couple of saxes from the Lionel Hampton big band joined in, and the next thing I knew, Monty and Benny were playing the same piano and trading ends of the keyboard. That duet was stunning, and pure fun.

It has become, all around, one of my favorite evenings of music ever. EVER. Almost everyone I've talked to who saw it felt the same way. I may have to figure out how to come back here again next year, because I just don't want to miss anything.

Posted by sally at February 28, 2009 05:38 PM

Comments

Posted by: Heather K at March 2, 2009 09:48 PM

Posted by: Sallyacious at March 2, 2009 10:24 PM

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