Ohhh, No, No, No!

     It’s very clear to me now that closing time at Yancy’s Jazz Club is not the right time to sing the songs I love.

I learned this lesson after repeated efforts to take the stage on Wednesday nights after work.

Last night I took my song book with me to the club, and was excited about having the keyboardist play at least two of the songs I’ve been practicing with my coach Lisa.

When I entered the club, I gave my name to the announcer and he nodded that I would get a chance to sing.  I took a seat near the bar, opened my notebook, and found two songs I would sing:  GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE, and AIN’T MISBAVING.

Just to give you an idea of the atmosphere, I was set to follow a talented young woman who sang DO ME, and SWEET THANG.  Needless to say, folks weren’t feeling exactly Jazzy when I touched the stage. ))

The keyboardist took one look at my first song and said he needed his glasses, but didn’t bring them with him. He yelled to a fellow musician on guitar about whether he knew GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE.  The young man said no.  I could sense my opportunity slipping away.  I then asked if I could look inside HIS well-worn songbook for a tune perhaps we both knew.  I told him I’d take the book back to my seat,  and quickly look through the index while the next singer took the stage to sing her song.   That’s when he told me that the next singer would be the last open mic performer for the night.  Well then!
Oprah always says learn the lesson and move on.

My intention now is to continue fine-tuning  my performance skills and stage presence on Wednesday nights when I am able.  The thing is:  I will now show up at the start of open mic night, and never again at the end of the show.

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