For a Good Time, 18th and Vine

    I seriously have the best friends ever. Kelly helped me out last weekend, and Brett offered to come over today to help me with yard work. He ended up helping out for several hours(!). He washed my car while I cleaned the interior of his (I can do that with one hand), and we got them both vacuumed and looking good as new. Then he helped me pick up all the debris from the snowstorms in the back yard, and prep all my flower beds for spring. I am so lucky... there's no way I could have accomplished all this on my own right now.

   When Brett took off, I got cleaned up and found a dress that kinda-sorta camouflaged the sling. Sawako came over, and we enjoyed dinner at Cafe Gratitude. Then we headed to the main event at the Blue Room. It was her first time there. She shared with me that when she was little, she played trumpet for years. Later she joined the band class again at the urging of the teacher—who had her switch to trombone. The teacher said, "If you can play trumpet, you can play trombone." Really? I'm thinking they're kind of different... Anyway, it's funny to think of little Sawako playing a trombone! (Remind me to draw that.)

   I absolutely love going to Blue Room. Aside from the music, I LOVE how the employees greet you warmly when you walk in and escort you to a seat, dressed to the nines. It is quite a scene. Everyone seems to know each other—they've never met a stranger—and they make you feel at home in a way that I haven't experienced anywhere else. I love meeting people between sets. They will often relate the history of the Jazz Museum, or tell you a story about jazz greats. It's obvious how much they take pride in working there.

   Last night I talked with Wayne, who considers himself a jazz connoisseur, and has read volumes about Kansas City's legends. He admitted that he works there for the music as much as the extra pocket change.

   Andy was an older gentleman sitting at the bar. He had fun teasing me about my arm, telling others that I'm "a snowboarding maestro" and that they shouldn't make me angry, because he was betting I have a strong left hook. Ha!

   We got up close with Bobby and the 18th & Vine Band. Bobby's mentor from NY was in attendance. And Joe Chambers played marimba and drums. He was a man of imposing size, dressed sharply in a white suit. And when he played, he was on fire.

   It was so fun to have a seat up close, to see everyone's expressions and interactions. They were having a great time, laughing and playfully chiding each other. Each person had at least one solo, and played their hearts out, their faces showing their exhaustion as they finished and the crowd showed its appreciation. I like live Jazz because they play what they feel; it's imperfect and improvisational, informal and inclusive.

Sax appeal

   It was cool to see some stellar young performers, with Bobby coaching them between sets.

   I should have been tired considering that we stayed for all three sets, but the energy in the room was infectious. And he'll be back next month...