Archives for March 11, 2008

“In Munchen steht ein Hofbrauhaus.\r\n “Eins, zvei, g”suffa!…”\r\n\r\nSo begins the chorus to the “Hofbrauhaus Song,” a tribute to German beer and German tradition. From the bandstand, I got to watch both come together in a sort of ongoing Oktoberfest at the grand opening of the Hofbrauhaus bier garten in Panama City, Florida.\r\n\r\nBesides being a fine musician, accordionist Dave Slivinski is a fabulous entertainer, a gregarious guy who loves to stroll off the bandstand and walk the tabletops, sit next to the patrons, and get the whole room singing, hoisting mugs, and enjoying themselves. It”s no gimmick with Dave. He really enjoys engaging with people, and he easily develops a rapport with his audience.\r\n\r\nI don”t possess anything like Dave”s gift for schmoozing, but that was fine. As his sax support, it was a pleasure, not to mention quite an experience, to simply play my horn and watch Dave work the crowd.\r\n\r\nHow effectively does a jazz sax player fit with a polka accordion player? Evidently, quite nicely. The people loved us. Here”s the deal: chords are chords and melodies are melodies; the rest is just a matter of interpretation, taste, and attitude. If I can get a feel for the style of the music being played, I can serve the music–and in serving the music, I serve the people listening.\r\n\r\nThere”s plenty more to say about my three liederhosen-clad days at Panama City Beach, and I”m not going to try to cram it all in here. Right now, it”s enough to say…\r\n\r\nI”m baaaaaack!