My girlfriend and I were out on the town last Saturday night when we saw a sign at the local music venue that said “Jazz Tonight.” There were cars lined up around the block, so we stopped by to see what was going on. I didn’t know what jazz really was so I was interested to see why there were so many people in line. We finally bought our ticket, and proceeded to go inside to the event. Once inside, we were amazed at how excited everyone was in anticipation of the show. Surely, this jazz must really be something.

We found our seats just before the lights went down. Everyone was up on their feet as the drummer hit the stage and started the show. He was soon followed by a big guy on funny guitar that only had four strings! I think he was just a beginner because he only knew the low notes. The guy next to me said it was a “bass guitar.” I’m not too sure what that meant, but with a few more lessons, I knew he could be playing the other notes as well. They played well together, and were soon joined by a little guy on the piano. But it was a funny looking piano that had electrical cords coming out of it, and made sounds like I’d never heard before! Surely they could get it tuned in time for the show. But before he could get it tuned, out came another guy with a screaming guitar. I think they all started playing different songs and were mixed up as to which one to start on. None of them were playing the same thing, but it sounded kind of good together. Now before anyone could tell them that they were on the wrong page, a wild man on a long golden horn stepped into the mix. The guy next to me told me that it was a “saxophone” as I saw similar instruments on stage. It must have been difficult to play because he kept making funny faces as if he were in pain the whole time he was playing. I guess it was because they were all playing different songs. Finally they all gave up on this first song, and it made the crowd so happy as they stood and yelled. I felt like standing up too!

The little guy on that saxophone put it down, and got another one. May be it was one that he could play without making that face. He introduced each member of the group. I’m sure that they were embarrassed since they didn’t know what the first song was. But the crowd acted like they had done nothing wrong, and applauded them to make them feel better. By now I was wonder where the lead singer was. May be these guys were just warming up before he came on. Yea, that was it. So they started up another song with the sax player leading the way. This time they all played together, and the sax player didn’t make all those funny faces. I’m sure that it’s time for the singer to appear. But as the second song finished, there was no singer again! Had they forgotten the words? Was he sick and not there? Surely “jazz” would be there, and not miss the third song.

But as the night wore on, there was no singer to be found. These guys made up for it with their excitement, and the crowd appreciated each and every song. May be this “jazz” was just the music. By the end of the night the musicians were playing in the aisles, and the crowd was on its feet. Everyone was having fun! We left there that night not knowing any of the words, but were tapping our feet and humming the tunes of “Jazz Tonight.”

Jess Passenby