Tony Scherr sharpens my vision

Yesterday, we went to Marion’s Marquee Lounge on Bowery. A very nice venue, in a kind of art deco style, on the Lower East Side. Every monday night, guitarplayer/singer Tony Scherr is playing there with his trio. I knew Tony Scherr from a concert back in 1999 in Tonic, also in New York, where he played the bass, in a band with guitarist David Tronzo, saxophone player Michael Blake and drummer Kenny Wollesen. A concert which still is one of my favorites ever, the vibe of the gig was so special and I felt back then, and feel still know, that this was why I was and am a musician. One of the happiest nights of my life.

And yesterday, hearing Tony Scherr play, I again, felt this kind of happiness. A feeling, which is rare, and not often found. And I learn a lot being here. I always think I find my deepest satisfaction in jazz. Which is not untrue, I am and will be a true Keith Jarrett fan. But the way Tony Scherr plays his guitar, has a deep connection with the heart of music. His sense of time, and his melodic lines, are unique to me, I ‘ve never heard this way of playing. It makes me even want to dance (and that’s special).

So, being here, confronted with several issues in my life, what I want musically, where I want to live, and so on, I felt that a lot of answers were to be found in this music. I believe the way Tony Scherr approaches his music, is the way I (try) to approach it. Making sense really, try to say something unique, with using the right notes on the right time. No ego things are involved here, just what needs to be said.

And that’s something I find less often these days in ‘jazz’. I hear too many licks, I hear to many ‘muscles’, and I see too much ‘fear for playing the wrong notes’. I don’t want too spend my time anymore on these matters. Sometimes you need some prove that real music still exist. I found that yesterday and it sharpens my vision what I want to say with my music.

I also spoke to Tony for a while. It felt somehow very good. He told me he will play at the BIMHUIS on OKTOBER 5th, with the same band. So, everybody, go there if you can.

He also told me that he had to fight for his public. Something every NY musician has to do. To attract enough audience so the venueholder keeps booking the band. Fighting for your public, means having income, means having gigs, means being able to make your music and pay the rent at the same time. We in Holland, don’t always embrace this fact. I think a very good lesson for every musician.

So I keep learning, you live and learn, and I wonder what the next lesson will be.