Trombone Player on the Jersey Shore
I’ve been telling the “coffee twins” who fetch me my coffee at the local coffee shop I frequent that I’d make it to one of their performances ever since they were still in high school. One of the identical twins plays the trombone and even some Jazz trombone. The “evil twin” plays the drums as most “evil twins” do.
Last night (Friday), the “good twin” trombone player was playing with a horn section in a band opening at a fairly major music venue at a Jersey Shore town really close to me. Let’s just say it wouldn’t be unusual for “The Boss” to show up there and jump up on stage for a song or two.
I arrived at the venue and found the trombone playing “good twin” sitting at a table across from the stage with a black “Mark of Shame” on his wrist. The venue is 21 years and older and, at still 18, venue security was NOT HAPPY at having to let a child into the building. The “good twin” told me, “They put this big mark on my hand and banished me to this table. I’m not allowed to move.” Then he told me, “Then security went and pointed me out to every bartender and told them to make sure that they didn’t serve me.”
Getting served the hard stuff isn’t normally a problem for him when he plays at any of the many local Irish pubs here on the shore. I don’t think he would have even tried to get served last night because he told me that he had stopped at McDonalds for dinner before showing up and was feeling a little queasy. I’m not sure what he ate at McDonalds, but at 18, he’s probably still eating the “Happy Meal.”
We watched the first opening band which played a set of about 6 songs (not counting the “Happy Birthday” they sang to one of their members). They were excellent and their female lead singer/keyboard player had the voice of an angel. Aggie Ring loved her singing and bought their CD.
After the first opening act, under the watchful eyes of security, “Good Twin Coffee Boy” left his table of banishment, grabbed his trombone, and began setting up on stage with the band he plays with when they need a horn section. “Coffee boy” was certainly the youngest musician in the band. Most of the other members looked between 30 and 40. (Note: They probably weren’t quite that old, but the hard life of a musician ages you rapidly).
The identical twins’ boss, a retired Army NCO I’m friends with has always told me that they’re good. I just brushed that off thinking, “Well, they work for him. Of course he’s going to say that.”
Cutting to the chase, the entire band was totally amazing. They style was a Rock/Jazz/Funk that Aggie Ring was quite pleased with. When “coffee boy” started playing his trombone, Texas Aggie Ring said, “I’ll be God damned. He really can play.” I’ve been around a trombone player or two, believe me. Apparently, he is one of those “natural musicians” who can run through a piece once or twice and then play it perfectly from then on.
On the way home, Aggie Ring told me, “You need to start tipping him better. He’s been talking about wanting to buy a new mouthpiece.” I told Aggie Ring, “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
Trombone Player on the Jersey Shore
I’ve been telling the “coffee twins” who fetch me my coffee at the local coffee shop I frequent that I’d make it to one of their performances ever since they were still in high school. One of the identical twins plays the trombone and even some Jazz trombone. The “evil twin” plays the drums as most “evil twins” do.
Last night (Friday), the “good twin” trombone player was playing with a horn section in a band opening at a fairly major music venue at a Jersey Shore town really close to me. Let’s just say it wouldn’t be unusual for “The Boss” to show up there and jump up on stage for a song or two.
I arrived at the venue and found the trombone playing “good twin” sitting at a table across from the stage with a black “Mark of Shame” on his wrist. The venue is 21 years and older and, at still 18, venue security was NOT HAPPY at having to let a child into the building. The “good twin” told me, “They put this big mark on my hand and banished me to this table. I’m not allowed to move.” Then he told me, “Then security went and pointed me out to every bartender and told them to make sure that they didn’t serve me.”
Getting served the hard stuff isn’t normally a problem for him when he plays at any of the many local Irish pubs here on the shore. I don’t think he would have even tried to get served last night because he told me that he had stopped at McDonalds for dinner before showing up and was feeling a little queasy. I’m not sure what he ate at McDonalds, but at 18, he’s probably still eating the “Happy Meal.”
We watched the first opening band which played a set of about 6 songs (not counting the “Happy Birthday” they sang to one of their members). They were excellent and their female lead singer/keyboard player had the voice of an angel. Aggie Ring loved her singing and bought their CD.
After the first opening act, under the watchful eyes of security, “Good Twin Coffee Boy” left his table of banishment, grabbed his trombone, and began setting up on stage with the band he plays with when they need a horn section. “Coffee boy” was certainly the youngest musician in the band. Most of the other members looked between 30 and 40. (Note: They probably weren’t quite that old, but the hard life of a musician ages you rapidly).
The identical twins’ boss, a retired Army NCO I’m friends with has always told me that they’re good. I just brushed that off thinking, “Well, they work for him. Of course he’s going to say that.”
Cutting to the chase, the entire band was totally amazing. They style was a Rock/Jazz/Funk that Aggie Ring was quite pleased with. When “coffee boy” started playing his trombone, Texas Aggie Ring said, “I’ll be God damned. He really can play.” I’ve been around a trombone player or two, believe me. Apparently, he is one of those “natural musicians” who can run through a piece once or twice and then play it perfectly from then on.
On the way home, Aggie Ring told me, “You need to start tipping him better. He’s been talking about wanting to buy a new mouthpiece.” I told Aggie Ring, “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”