Last night P and I went to a salsa lesson at Mama Mia’s. It was a beginning class so we had no problems. Patty would have no problems in an advanced class, but she’s encouraging me to dance. Salsa is wonderful with small steps and sexy attitude. There were many women there, mostly young North Americans. They looked awkward as they gave it a first try. It was very crowed and I kept bumping into these young girls. I’m sure that that gave them a trill. After that we went to a restaurant where Doc Severenson and band played. The place was packed with mostly N. American’s. A steal at $25 minimum.
I spoke with Doc before and after the gig. Ray Sasaki had bought one of Doc’s horns and was aware of Ray. Really nice guy and at 80, looks great and still plays his ass off – big intense sound all over the horn. I’m told that he has always practiced a lot and his practice room is a bath room where he gets immediate feed back and without having to play loudly.
The group was comprised of this dynamic duo of violin and guitar – these are two of the finest musicians I’ve ever heard in person. I’ll find their names for they have CDs of their duet. In addition, there was Doc, a double bass and percussionist (hand drums). The arrangements were skillful and were performed to perfection with no written music to be seen. Mostly Latin music was the fare but certainly not fair. The group performs Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Ray and Jeanne, it wold be good to bring Sara and Miki down here to hear these guys AND it would be deductible! Seriouly, they should hear these guys.
Jim and I got stinkin’ drunk on tequila shots. Patty had her one beer, OK, maybe two. We met a couple, hmmm, in their late 40’s early 50’s from the bay area who just got here and love SMDA as most visitors do. After the gig the four of us walked to a club looking for salsa but we arrived too late, so we walked back to El Jardin and hung there until almost 1 AM. We seemed to have made fast new friends.  Afterwards, I staggered home with Patty. Jim staggered home around 11.