Working in a retirement and assisted living community can lead to all kinds of new adventures. Last month one of my volunteers, Ivan, who plays piano at lunch on Mondays, suggested a trip to a little jazz place.
So, last Friday night I loaded seven residents in the van and we headed out. I have lived here for six years and knew where I was going, a strip mall featuring a Bi-Mart Store and Harbor Freight, an outlet for tools of all kinds. I had never noticed Dy’s Broadway Diner or Donna Marie’s Pizza, as it was formerly known.
The owner invited Ivan and Bill, one of our residents, and a former dancer to play before the entertainment started. Bill had not been behind a set of drums in a number of years. This was a special night out for him
The owner, Jim Federman, is a California native who had lived and played music in New York City for several years, created a place where jazz musician could gather and play.
My favorite was Margie Hayas, an 82 year old clarinet player and singer. The Brooklyn native is a show all by herself. She plays, she sings, she entertains. She is a class act.
The highlight of the evening was when Jim invited Ivan and Bill to play for play while Margie sang and played the clarinet.
It was a great evening and I just might be hooked on jazz.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
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