An Old Swing Band Review
or: Sometimes you get what you hope for
On Friday, April 30, 1999, I went to one of my favorite swing clubs, Liquid, to see a band called The Ray Gelato Giants. At H2G2 I posted a review of the show.
It’s been over six years since I first laid eyes on the trombonist in that band. Six years since he very sweetly, and with much drunken aplomb, assured me that he was going to marry me. True to his word, after much of my needling and prodding, he did marry me two years later to the day. He now lives with me in the USA and I have his beautiful baby boy.
Living with an artist isn’t always easy, and I’m sure you’ll hear more about our trials and tribulations as time goes on, but I have to say that it’s been the most wonderful six years I could ever have hoped for.
Liquid is closed. The swing scene is basically dead. I am now a chunky old lady with a kid on my hip picking up dog poop in the suburbs. None of the original band members, except Ray and Alex, are still with RGG and it’s certainly hard to globe-trot with El Squirmo ripping the glasses off our faces at every opportunity. Still, thanks to the man with those baby blue eyes, I feel essentially unchanged from my young, crazy, carefree days. These years are just more of the same wild amusement park ride we began in 1999.
I love you, babe. Keep playing. You keep us young.
Many thanks to Oma who reminded me that this review was out there.
4 Comments
This entry melted my heart. Your boys are so handsome!
A true story of love at first sight and how fate used its magic wand to create total happiness..
How long till young Charlie will play his first instrument and continue the Bakers musical tradition??
I give it about five minutes, Oma. You should see him rocking out to music whenever it’s on. We had the blues fest on the radio the other day and he danced himself silly.
Lei: Thanks!! I like them.
Hey now, I knew your son was gorgeous but I didn’t know your husband was too! You go girl!