My job is great. I get invited to many events, some which I have to attend and some I want to. This week, the Manoel Theatre hosted a night of Jazz with Dominic Galea and Friends. I hadn’t had the pleasure of hearing them before and being a bit of a jazz fan, was very happy to be in the aficionado’s crowd.
The set started with a couple of numbers that were of that jazz that can irritate people – you don’t know where its going and cant tap your feet / nod your head to it… then, a young chap, Carlo Muscat walked on looking very pleased with himself – you knew it was going to be a Susan Boyle type moment.
I wanted to close my eyes and kick off my shoes and be on a lounger at Baia with a cocktail in hand. Carlo’s saxaphone was like the sun warming my skin and the breeze was the percussionist sweeping the drums. This guy is one to watch – even with your eyes closed.
Doreen Galea was introduced and her big voice needed no backing music. She sounds like Julie London, velvet smooth, penetrating and uplifting. An agile xylophonist came next and was follwed by veteren, Sammy Murgo, took the stage with more pizzazz and energy than I can muster at half his age.
The music just got better and better and eventually the whole band played together, speaking to each other with their eyes and playing pinball to pass the tune around so each could have a solo. The pianist and leader of the pack, Dominic Galea, played the piano and the depth of sound vibrated to my core. What would I have changed? I wished I hadn’t been alone and I wished there was a second half.
