WHEN MUSIC IS MAGIC

When money is tight, first to go are luxuries. Sadly, an evening of entertainment by good musicians is too often in that category. Unrealized is that sometimes, that evening can substitute for medication, a massage, or behavioral relaxation techniques. Tonight, at the Sherborn Inn, Sherborn, MA, there were too few people in the dining room. Over the years, I have taught myself to filter the few rude talkers out, while most of us sit simply rapt.

The group called themselves Swingtime5. Those of us who try to get around to hear our favorites see them in several groups, often pick-up. Many seem to have a special affinity so that they hear and interpret the music like a single instrument. It was amazing how well the guitarist (Dan Wyner) and pianist (Ross Petot) 'talked' to each other. The great philosophical question comes to mind: "If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, will it make a sound?" When wonderful music is made and there is no one there to record it, did it happen?

When Ellington's Caravan was played it pulled the blabbermouth lady near me to silence. Billy Strayhorn's Chelsea Bridgecould have melted the Selfish Giant's heart before the children stole into the cold garden.

Jeff Hughes, was the triple brass section: Trumpet, Trumpet with mutes, and Flugelhorn. Justin Meyer on Bass, and Dave Didrikson, on Drums, completed the 5. For two and a half hours, these five men obscured the troubles of the world and transported us to the past, the present, and a musical Utopia. They played Songs, not the ear splitting, lacking-melody erroneously called music one hears blasting from a car 100 feet away. While it seems to me that only a drummer could enjoy a Buddy Rich or Gene Krupa solo for ten minutes, or another bassist when the verse and chorus are played by the bassist for several variations. Drum solos were never longer than four bars and the bass featured longer only when he was bowing.

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams was introduced as the Wall Street Song of Today. The variety of styles added interest. We were teased with Swing, Stride piano, Ballads with muted trumpet, and lots of old jazz riffs and even a 'Hey Baba Rebop' riff, to mention a few. One penta body breathed music, and worked off one another harmoniously. When Dan Wyner played All the Things You Are he sounded like a guitar trio until the other musicians joined him.

As a psychotherapist for a great many years, I could identify with the piano player who said, during the break, that he listens to few of the CDs he has as he continues to work on his own style. I, too, have developed my own style in a skill that has many others writing books that work for the writer but don't for most others. Each player had their own distinctive style and sound.

The last number played was We'll Be Together Again
beautiful for the words as well as the sentiment. The next to last song was Thanks for the Memorywhen it was the audience who quietly mouthed the words.