Today I woke up feeling extremely sea-sick, but the show must go on. I was the pianist for “Elegant Tea” – a private tea party for Captain’s Club (frequent cruisers) members from 4-5 in the main dining room. I improvised mostly and played some jazz charts. It was pretty much torture considering my state of nausea but when I was finished, this Indian family came up to me and told me their son was very interested in piano. He was 8, completely adorable, and had just learned Ode to Joy (pretty impressive). I asked him if he wanted to play the piano and all the cameras came flying out. He played Ode to Joy for the dining room staff – several times. I used to be this awe-inspired 8-year-old (I still am, most of the time) and I can vividly remember the pianists on cruises (and elsewhere) who made me want to be a pianist. I probably “wasn’t allowed” to let him play the piano but I would’ve thought I was the coolest kid on the planet if a cruise pianist let me play. I have a feeling I’ll have a new friend this cruise…
I played another set in the Cova Café for 45 minutes for the passengers’ “listening pleasure.” It’s nice when passengers wander in and sit for 20 minutes and applaud your noodling. I find people in general LOVE musicians, and pianist especially. Everyone has a story, everyone used to play, and everyone wishes they had kept up with it. I’ve never had someone come up me and say, “I stopped playing when I was 12 and I’m really glad.” Music truly is a universal language and it’s always nice to be the entertainment. It’s hard to be the entertainment 24/7, of course, but I think it’s a pretty sweet gig.
iBroadway tonight! I’m excited. So is that 8-year-old boy.
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