I went out to see Mike Beck and the Bohemian Saints play at Plaza Linda in Carmel Valley Village on Saturday and ended up sitting in with the band for the second set. The experience brought me back to the first gig I played with the Cardinale Brothers’ Band in Ojai, CA, back in 2004. That gig had also been completely spontaneous as well. The Cardinale’s had been calling me every few days for a couple of weeks asking me to come jam with them. At that time I was just beginning my exploration beyond classical music and had yet to gain confidence in a band setting. After finally attending a short rehearsal with them, the band was so excited with the parts I was coming up with that they asked me to sit in with them at a gig the following evening. The part of me in control of my voice in that moment said “yes”.
The performance was at an auction to benefit one of the private schools in the Ojai Valley. Before starting each song, someone in the band would tell me the key and then we would start. Some of the songs were standards that I didn’t know because I was too young, others were originals I didn’t know being so new to the group. To my own amazement I was able to keep up, and not just staying in the background, but up front and taking solos. The experience and the positive feedback I received from the audience boosted my confidence and for the first time in a very long time, I was really enjoying performing. I felt free.
I enjoyed revisiting similar feelings when playing with Mike Beck and the Bohemian Saints (Marty Louden on bass, Joe Wedlake on drums, and featuring guest Columbia recording artist Tom Ayres of Persephone's Bees on guitar): the uncertainty (can I really do this?), the risk (I have never heard any of these songs before!!) and the freedom of just going for it. My spirits were high from the experience. The positive comments from the band members and audience alike were also quite encouraging.
