Not Your Average Elevator Music

This performance was definitely not your average elevator music. Or, was it? As I listened to the music, I realized that this is the background music in life. It was the kind of songs that most of us don’t pay attention to, the kind of songs that most of us tune out, in order to let our thoughts flood in.

But, isn’t that just devastating?

Isn’t it just so terrible to see this beautiful performance and realize that it’s not the kind of high-paying mainstream music that will capture the attention of millions, as it should? As I heard the  chords on the piano, with notes played so quickly they nearly jumped off the music sheets; as I saw the passion of the drummer steadily keeping the beat, and the powerful, strumming fingers of the bassist, I was mesmerized. But more than that, I was somewhat saddened, because despite the obvious amount of effort they put into their work, despite the hours they  must have put into practicing for this event, despite the physical difficulties of keeping up with the melodies in their head, waiting to be carried out, even I couldn’t help but drift away, into my own world of thoughts.

I’ll admit that I’m not the biggest jazz fan, or at least the kind of jazz we heard in the performance; however, this fact did not stop me from being completely inspired by the amount of emotion these artists were conveying through their songs. I was especially moved by the bassist because I played the electric bass for a while myself, and I know how hard it is to be heard in an entire orchestra, considering the softer sound that it produces. However, the bassist kept strumming, and played so diligently, that he was able to shine during his moments.

And I think this point pretty much sums up my opinion of the jazz performance. It was humble. It was low-key. It was modest. But it was stunning nonetheless. It’s undeniable light, created from a simple heart, could be felt within us all, I think. So, the next time you’re on an elevator, stop and listen. Because you could be hearing the pure soul of a genius, capturing little bits of our passing life, note by note.