In our complicated world, which often requires a complicated protocol for even the simplest of tasks, it can be refreshing to play a gig without constraints attached to it. Imagine a gig at which your set list (if you bothered to make one), is more of a serving suggestion than a dish. The band has not rehearsed for, nor agreed upon, any sort of arrangement, time signature, style, tempo, etc…… of the material ahead of time. Basically, you show up musically naked, in your musical birthday suit if you will, the same way you entered this world. And just like that nascent being, you have no idea how things are going to pan out. Anything can happen: a song can soar ethereal or fly too close to the sun and melt. Side note: The guitarist Ralph Towner wrote a beautiful jazz tune entitled Icarus in the 70’s. If you are an adrenaline junky and enjoy living on the edge, this sort of gig can be particularly attractive. I play a gig like this with 3 other sax players a couple/three times a year called Saxtravaganza. The premise of the gig is to enjoy a musical adventure of discovery together. We don’t enter the gig with any expectations (nor preparation) and we don’t leave with any regrets. It is refreshing. And yes, I get burned more often than I soar but that’s musical development for you.
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