A XMAS Story

ZonGuy · #1 12-30-2008, 12:47 PM

Walked into a music store on Tuesday before Christmas and there was a dude playing Xmas tunes jazz style so I grabbed a bass off the wall and plugged in and backed him up and proceeded to accompany him. Digressed to a couple of jazz stds. We were on different aisles, but it was a cool. Just communicating back and forth through the music. Little challenging for me since he was obviously tuned a 1/2 step higher, based on the keys.

Finally, the manager told us to go find a rehearsal hall, so I apologized and put it up, nodded to the guitarist . The guitarist followed me out to the door and handed me his card in case I would be interested in playing any jazz gigs. Took a peek at his name and said "NO THANKS - you kicked me out of the band!" - and smiled. He couldn't place me. Finaly I name the band. It was a high school buddy from 36 years ago and my first major band. I guess neither of us looked like we did 36 years ago and it took awhile to sink in.

We had a good laugh and caught up on old times.

9mmMike · #2 12-30-2008, 01:04 PM

Cool story.

Mesmerize-16 · #3 12-30-2008, 01:18 PM

Small world hey?

StyleOverShow · #4 12-30-2008, 01:36 PM

Recently worked a band for a couple of months with a guitar player that looked familiar. We had talked a little about where we came from (East Los Angeles), etc. Our third gig (monthly at a real dive in Santa Monica) and in walks his friends all of whom I had known in high school. Turns out the guitarist and I were in a band or two some years back (mid 60's) but he was playing bass then and I was on sax. Small world?

kesslari · #5 12-30-2008, 09:29 PM

That is a cool story.

ZonGuy · #6 12-31-2008, 10:43 AM

Two more stories in the same vein:

Played a pick-up blues gig and the drummer was great. I know I had never played with him before ( I remember good drummers!), but he looked so familiar. Played the gig, loaded out and as I am driving out of the parking lot, it hits me. I spin the car around and pull up to where he was loading out and scream " I remember you!! You gave me my check ride about 15 years ago. He was and still is a pilot for a major airline. Solid groove.

Played a jam session in town this week just to be different and the drummer kept on saying "remember me?" and honestly, I couldn't excpt I remember the gig - it was a real dive sevgeral years ago with a confederate flag on the wall in front of where we set up and played a blues gig. The black front man was pissed. Straight out of the "Blues Brothers"

Jim Powers · #7 12-31-2008, 10:53 AM

Great story; don't you wonder with all the "random" motion how we tend to come back together like that sometimes? Like theres more to be done.