Live music is back, baby!

The world is re-opening and live music seems to be bubbling from every street corner. What a joy, and what a thrill it is to witness friendly faces come to life again and re-connect with old & new friends, family members, peers & colleagues I’ve dearly missed!

This was very much the sentiment I had last week as I was invited to perform at the rescheduled Winter Blues Jazz Festival in Williamsburg, VA with my Swingband; “the Phirocious Swing Orchestra.” Much excitement, nervousness and anticipation was in the air that day… After all, it had been almost 15 months since I had last performed a concert. While I do believe it would virtually be impossible to forget how it’s done at this point, let’s just say that some muscles are tougher to flex when you don’t use them for a very long time, ha! But all in all, the show went well; my amazing band (Hyuna Park on piano, Amadis Dunkel on trombone, Jackson Shurlds on trumpet, Elias Bailey on bass & Billy Williams on drums) lifted my spirit so high I had a hard time coming down.

Photo by Wendy C. Miller

How did I go 15 months without performing for an audience? Resilience is one thing but the compulsion is real. After a few mere steps on that stage, I felt a familiar rush taking over me; a welcomed sensation, yet one that had not been so present in my life recently. It only took a few seconds and I was hooked. The precious exchange that happens between passionate musicians, their instruments and their interpretation of the music in a given time, place and moment… The energy and the pizzazz of the music as a result…The euphoria of performing live again for an audience of real & appreciative individuals who also had been starved for the excitement of a live performance…. There is nothing quite like it!

So now that the world is re-opening, I’m setting an intention. I need more of this rush and I know I’m not the only one! So I’d like to send a message into the universe and attract all the opportunities for live music in NYC, in VA, in D.C. and even in Canada! I’d like to offer my entertainment services, whether it be for concerts, weddings, private events, vintage themed soirees or fun nights out. You or someone you know need a live band? Send them my way! Can we make this happen and continue to roll on this high?! We shall see….. ;)