This past Saturday night, I did something brand new for me: Side man musician in a band playing the Latin-influenced music of a Billboard All-Time Top 27 dance pop star from The Bronx named Corina.
And I had a slight costume failure.
It was a great experience because I met three new musicians, one of whom is an outstanding artist/performer on his own, Edwin Vasquez +E. He has a featured song in a new indie movie called Brownsville Bred, which is playing in a limited run here on 42nd Street. And his friend, Ben, a violinist who plays with him and his band.
Corina proudly announced several weeks ago that she had found some costumes for us to wear. They were double-breasted, black. Kind of looked like the Monkees or a chauffeur. Fine. I'll wear a costume. But when I put it on just before the show, I realized it was midriff cut. Not cut way high, but definitely...
My belly was kinda hanging out there and it, unnaturally distended by AIDS meds, is not pretty. I try to stay as trim as I can but it is what it is.
The shirt, however, was just long enough that if I pulled my black jeans up high enough and snuck up the aisles fast enough when the lights were off, no one would see anything. I'd be sitting almost in the corner, mostly hidden. And Corina is so beautiful, all eyes would be directed to her. The other guys did not wear the outfit. Bastards.
The love that came across in the room at Don't Tell Mama was rare and beautiful. At times, they were singing along with her. She revealed that, like me, she had endured a health crisis which she hid from the public because of Covid. It was a life or death situation, and somehow, perhaps sheer personal stubbornness, but also because of Jaochin, who stood by her just like Jim stood by me when I was on my "deathbed," survived.
Perhaps this is the connection that the two of us share, why she would want me in her band. At one point, out of the blue during the show, they said, "Steve! Take the solo!"
SOLO?? I'm barely hanging on here! Play a solo?? With my damaged right arm. But in the moment, what can you do? I played a solo. Kept it very spare. Fools them every time. Makes them think you have taste!
Afterwards, a light misty rain began to fall, giving the many lighted up places here on Restaurant Row a dreamy haze. I walked quickly home without a big goodbye. She was surrounded by fans and friends. I had a Jim and a cat to come home to, and the memory of an impossible-to-imagine night of music.
I love New York.
THANKS
To you who wrote telling me how much you love people's reactions to The Beatles songs, especially the part about not participating in the war mindset the media and politicians are trying to keep active. Non-violent resistance is a difficult and specific way of life. I can mention more if you wish, but once you make that commitment, there's no turning back. :)
Also thanks to those of you asking about Jim. He recovered from his mystery fatigue disease but it keeps popping up every once in a while and he takes a day to recover. So he's still a little weak but he's eating well and is as obnoxious as ever.
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