I did some online research ahead of time about what events would take place the week we would be in London. More importantly, would anything be free? I successfully was able to find a venue offering free live music. Not only did I succeed, but Italian cuisine would be included in the package.
After a long pleasant early evening walk through South Kensington, we had found our destination within a large concert hall. We were seated in an elegant dining setting with a place reserved just for us. We arrived before the music began. I was very glad that the menu prices were reasonable as it was the last night we would be in London and my funds were close to exhausted. Emma and I shared a Margherita pizza with sparkling water. We learned that not all pizza in Britain are to be sliced, but eaten with a fork and knife which was how it would be served to us. I folded when Emma wanted chocolate chip gelato. The food was good but was really an added bonus as we were here for the music.
There were only two up on stage that night. As the guests dined over fine food with wine in their glasses, a well known local jazz pianist glided his melodies with flawless technique and perfectly synchronized rhythms which accompanied them. His ballads flowed with much feeling and ease. His talent was extraordinary.
Esther.
There are people in this world who are searching for their purpose (now getting all philosophical). We all have to aspire and try different things to find out what were good at. That seems to come easier for some than it does than others. Some of us may take up sculpting or Zumba dancing and may easily find their place or simply just move on to the next thing as they begin to lose interest. And some of us know exactly who they are and where they need to go in life and take those things and make them their own.
There was a very young woman who was setting up her place on the stage where she would play her stand up bass. Her name was Esther. She caught my attention very quickly though I was not sure what to expect. I have heard many jazz trios and different R&B acts and the players all seem to have a familiar persona about them. Many of them are men dressed in business casual attire and it is not unusual for the women to dazzle with sequins, costume jewelry, and heavy makeup. Esther's demeanor however was very conservative and more of intellect-not necessarily driven to look the role to pursue the center of attention. She did not have to.
Each time the music began, she came to life with her instrument. Her frolicking fingers were as though they were dancing on the strings effortlessly and free. Since it was just her and the piano and there was no drummer, she played that role also as the body of the string bass became her drum. I later learned that Esther holds a doctorate in Genomic Medicine but is also someone of very animated talent who just wants to play her bass. It's women like this who change the world!
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| Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington, UK |
Place visited: Royal Albert Hall has been a performance
venue since 1871 in honor of Albert, Prince
Consort.
Eats: Verdi Italian Restaurant
Artists: Alex Hutton, piano
Esther Ng, Bass
Date visited: June 16th, 2017
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| Alex and Esther |
Esther in action:
"Beautiful Friendship"
Jazz combo benefit gig.
(Esther's solo is around 5:40)
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