One Jazzy Night…

I think to say that I enjoyed my time at the Juilliard Jazz Quartet concert is an understatement! The venue itself was in and of itself spectacular, but the music made the evening all the better. The Jazz music genre is one I still know very little about, but I noticed that as the musicians worked their magic, understanding the moods and the sentiments being conveyed through the notes was a more relaxing and joyful exercise than one might assume.

Frank Kimbrough’s composition entitled “Kudzu” captured my attention. While listening, I did a bit of double tasking; I kept my body jiving to the nifty beat, but I kept my mind searching for how exactly to describe the sounds. I then remembered the Austin Powers movies and thought of the catch phrase “Groovy, baby!” I was so moved by the song, but my eyes did not water, nor did my lips quiver. It was as though the song had transported me to a time and place where life was just “groovy” and the urge to bogey and do the shuffle was insatiable. I loved this!

All the other songs were amazing in their own ways, and I will admit that I was both thrilled and overwhelmed by the ballad titled “Waltz for Gwen”; it moved me in ways I never though jazz could.

The song “Ah, Rio” also struck me. As we can all tell, the weather outside it cooling down, and so such a warm and inviting song was pleasing to me; the reassurance that music that – in addition to a snuggly sweater – music can warm the soul is a great comfort.

I had an amazing time on Tuesday evening. A night with good music and even better friends is something never to pass up. So this winter, as I hunker down and stay warm, I’ll know that my jazz playlists are there to stay.