I started writing this blog in the hope of knowing more
about what there is to offer on live music in Singapore. It is working to the
extent that I get consistent Facebook invitations from the musicians and bands
that I am linked to via Facebook’s database. It turns out though that it is not
improving for musicians that I am not familiar with. Like last Saturday night
for instance, it was through a posting by Aya Sekine, that I heard about this
guitarist playing with his trio at Sultan Jazz club. Something made me curious about them, I am
not sure if it was just the novelty, or the “if they are from abroad, they must
be good!??”. It also was going to be
Hendrix Nite at Blu Jaz though and in my mind, I had committed to that. So I
found myself split between a band featuring the guitar works of a Blues and
Rock legend and a guitarist who is an up and coming star in the New York Jazz
scene. Split between Bali Lane on the south side of Kampong Glam and Jalan
Sultan on the north. Between Blu Jaz and the Sultan Jazz club. But more
importantly I was split between, what
could become a night of unadulterated fun until my head was in a purple
haze and an evening of serious listening among champagne drinkers and cigar
smokers (On the balcony only). I could not choose. I decided I could go see
Bani only after listening the first set to Yotam and his trio.
There is something to be said about a real band. I mean a
group of people, in this case three, who dedicate a significant amount of time
playing together. It just shows. You can see it in the dynamics, if they look
at each other for a signal it is more with an expectation of something that
will happen in the next second,
than with a question “what are you thinking of
next?”. Often times however they are
able to follow each other blindly. All that comes through in the performance.
Another thing I particularly liked about this show, was that
the drummer treated the skin of the drums, like it was skin, that highly sensitive
organ of a living creature that, in my opinion, and I know there are others,
you do treat gently for the best results.
Thirdly, Yotam had the guts to ask the audience to listen to
the music quietly. I think he said it mostly for himself, so he could stay
concentrated on the music. It was that kind of music where you should be
listening to and far too often, people do not get the picture and continue to
have a loud conversation, at the expense
not only of the musicians concentration but also of the listening audience.
A special thank you
goes out to Sultan’s staff this evening. They played into this request for a
quiet zone, by keeping the door to the hallway closed to avoid any noise from
outside. The only thing that now needs a
noise cover is the register’s printer ;-)
It was a pleasure to listen to Yotam and the band. I found
myself regularly just listening, camera on the table, chin on my hands, tempted to close my eyes, just
able to keep them open to capture a fun moment.
I knew it was going to
be short, cause I had to go see Bani, but didn’t know it would be this sweet…
and I am again going tonight (Sun Sept 1 2013 7:45---Sultan Jazz club)
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