For those of you that haven't figured it out yet the "Subte" is Baries' subway system. It consists of a number of different lines that allow you to get around the city with a modicum of ease. Well, just like NYC's subway, there are of course adverts all over the walls down there. Well, one that we saw was for a Jazz Festival to be held in the Subte stations. Gratis? (free?) Let's go!
Well, first thing is that the only stations that were big enough to hold such a thing happened to be on the exact opposite side of the city. If you look at the map below, we are currently staying on the purple line (Linea E) near the Boedo station. The concerts were on the North end of the green line (Linea D).
So the trip up there was about an hour, even by Subte. Much quicker than walking all the way there... (though it is something stupid that I have been known to do in the States.) But a nice enough ride for a Sunday. Just to warn you... If you haven't ridden a subway line during rush hour in a large city it is a very different experience than one you may have ever had before. People joke about it being packed in like sardines. I think I would much prefer to be the sardine, at least they are packed in an organized manner and don't have to worry about coming up for air every-so-often. And then, if you are on the wrong side of the car for the station you want you are totally out of luck!
But I made it to the first station with no troubles and my only worries being for the low clearance in the doorways. To my dismay the group happened to be on the other side of the turnstiles and I had a sneaking suspicion that it would be the same in the other stations. I'm a cheap bastard and I didn't want to have to pay to get back on at each station and off again, but we'll worry about that later...
I was both excited and slightly disappointed when I saw the first group.
Turns out it was the Jazz Ensemble from a local school. Not quite what I had in mind for a night of jazz, but then again, this being my own roots I had to stay and listen. Yeah, they weren't top notch and they might not even have warranted a notch of any kind... but you've got to start somewhere! And it brought back some memories of my past Jazz bands and almost choked (emotion or gagging, I don't know) when they played "Stardust", probably the first jazz ensemble piece I ever played (and very complex chordally, so likely not too good of a choice in some instances.) Great exposure for the kids and a great way for them to get started soloing.
Now, back to my cheapness... It was about 15 minutes till the next show started at the next Subte station. I wasn't going to pay $1,20 to see each so I decided to walk to the next. :-) It was a beautiful afternoon out and so I actually enjoyed myself. The more I think about it, the more every place I've gone in the world looks the same. This little sidewalk cafe reminded me of downtown Hickory, would have fit in well in Phoenix if there were misters up, definitely saw some in NYC, and you can probably find the same thing in Paris, London, and Rome (not that I've been there, but if it's elsewhere, you can prolly find them there too.) Of course someone would have a conniption about the Budweiser sign if it was in the US.
Turns out that the distance between Subte stations isn't that far. Granted, not as quick as riding, but nothing to argue about unless you're in a rush. I was more pumped for the second group when I saw them. Guitar, String Bass, Drum set, and vocalist; more like what I was expecting to hear! Well... I wsa actually more let down by this group than I was by the kids. Yes, jazz involves playing many standards that came out of America, but the biggest thing you need to know is how to sing and play in tune. Go ahead and get the words wrong, I understand that English is not your first language, and just like music is universal, tuning should be universal too. In their defense though, the drummer and guitarist were both actually decent players, but they all just didn't click together.Thankfully you can't hear how bad they are in this picture.
Disheartened with my experience so far and the night halfway over I made my way to the next station, which just happened to be the station I was at previously to see the kids play. I was immediately intrigued as I saw the kids' instructor sitting behind a Drum set. The guy to his right (stage right) was sitting on his amp and uncasing a nice looking guiar and the 3rd guy had his string bass out and tuning it (a good sign already!) No music stands, no sheet music (like the previous group), I couldn't help but remember every Sunday night at the Taproom in Hickory where my percussion professor had (still has, actually) a standing jazz gig. And I was not disappointed when they started playing! Finally, this was what I had come to hear! They played a number of recognizeable standards and probably some that either weren't standards or I just didn't know them. Solos all around and even trading 4's... *sigh* Now, not that I am a guitarist (though that is the next instrument I need to learn) but the guy was quite talented in my opinion. Flashy, but not over the top, didn't repeat any licks ad naseum, and was quite lyrical with his lines. And the drummer was quite good too, using his instrument as a voice instead of like a trash can. The bassist could have used some work as he looked like he was new to the trio, but he was able to keep up and hold his own. In this instance, the pictures don't do the music justice. :-)
They made the experience worthwhile and I was hesitant to ruin the evening on the chance that the next group would be like the second, I was getting tired, and it was nearing 19:00 in a foreign city quite a long ways from where I was staying. But I decided that I would give the next group a chance. If they didn't pass muster then I could head home with no qualms.
I walked down the stairs into the station and saw a group of people already sitting there waiting for the start. What I saw was 4 kids maybe in their early 20's with an electric keyboard, 6-string bass, drum set, and percussion (congas, timbales, cowbell). From what I could tell this could go either way. Either they would be pretentious and I could go home, or they would be half good and worth listening to.
The pianist and bass player started in... not perfect, but then again they were in tune, kept time, and the music was interesting. Then the drumer and percussionist started in with some simple back rhythm. Quite enjoyable! So I stayed around for a second tune. And a third, and a fourth. They had some really interesting ideas (musically) and some nice arrangements. More to the point though, they clicked together and seemed to be having fun! I definitely had to give them credit for doing their homework! But it really made my night when they broke into an excellent arrangement of "St Thomas" and the percusionist finally broke out of his shell and showed that he was not there just for show! Rock on with your bad self!
So, while it started off kind of slow, the evening turned out to be quite enjoyable! It just goes to show: always leave your expectations at the door.
Remember kids: 1+1 = 2, unless it's cars then you've got yourself an accident.
Jumpn2nsanity
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