maxiewawa

A jazz duo, David Braid and Matt Brubeck visited Shanghai this weekend. Aika and I went to see them at the Glamor Bar on Sunday. Shanghaiist.com said that they started at 4, but knowing how lazy musicians usually are, I confidently told Aika that if we arrived at 4:30, we probably wouldn’t miss much. After a little bit of searching up and down 广东 road, we finally found our way to the Glamor Bar. I was dismayed to hear the sounds of music as we exited the lift; the band had already begin.

“I’m hear to see Brue Brick Brain.” I said. “I mean Blue Blick Blain.” I tried again. “Blue Blick…” I just couldn’t get it out. “我是来听音乐的” I finally blurted out. (I’m here for the band).

After my pronounciation problems (for the record, the band is called “Brubeck Braid“) I had more bad news: Brubeck Braid would be finishing in only twenty minutes! I had come so far, so I decided to stay.

Worse of all, I had worn some cheap rubber shoes that went “squeak-sqeak” on the Glamor Bar’s wooden floorboards. As I walked in, a few audience members looked up from their reveries, annoyed that I had woken them up. As I remember Braid was in the middle of a floating piano solo when I interrupted him with my squeaking. Thinking quick, I removed my rubber shoes, and continued my way across the floor in silence. I felt a little bit ridiculous; many people were dressed quite well, and I cut a stark contrast, tip-toeing across the performance space with my dirty rubber shoes tucked under my arm.

When Brubeck Braid finished their piece, Aika and I found a seat. Unfortunately it was quite far away from the action; I couldn’t see the piano player at all, and the ‘cello was only a speck in the distance. The picture I have included was taken from my seat. If you look carefully you can see the ‘cello player in the middle of a particularly empassioned upbow.

We could hear everything though, which was most important after all! The duo’s sound was unique, and really drew you in. A great thing about jazz is how it lends itself to any instrument or voice. I ended up wishing that I had come on time.