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Early in the morning, we were asked to come into the main hall for a special event. Sitting on a stool, in front of all of us, not six feet away from me was Stanley Clarke. Stanley Clarke!! One of my idols, the first real jazz I ever listened to, standing right in front of us.
As I'm writing this, it's been a week or so (I told you I was going to backdate posts), and I'm still all a-giddy from meeting Stanley. If you aren't familiar with Mr. Clarke's work, let me try to explain it to you. Imagine going to a basketball conference where Michael Jordan is there, Larry Bird is hanging around, Shaq and Kobe lounging in the back, and then meeting Wilt Chamberlain -- someone who was a mentor/idol to all these amazing people around, someone who completely redefined his pursuit. I really can't quite describe the feeling adequately.
We had a Q&A session. For the most part, the questions were pretty good, and Stanley was surprisingly open with his answers. He talked about how he got started, who he studied and idolized, what the price of fame has been for him and where he thinks music (and the industry) are heading. Then he pulled out an upright and played a few songs for us. When he was done, he suggested to all of us that we should each own an upright, if (for no other reason) only to appreciate the history of the instrument, where bass has been and where it's going.
After a few questions, Stanley got out an upright and proceeded to play for us. I have had the good fortune to see Stanley play live once before, but that was nothing like this time around. I had the privilege of watching one of the most influential bass players to ever play perform from a distance of about two feet. Stanley played Touch (from the 1, 2 The Bass album) and his take on Charlie Parker's Confirmation.The best description I can come up with for this is a near religious experience.
Afterwards, Stanley hung around the camp for a while. While I really wanted to approach him and pay my respects, I tried to hold off. After I saw some other students talking with him, though, I lept at the chance. Not only was Mr. Clarke gracious enough to pose for a photograph, he also signed the headstock of my bass.
You were hanging out with some pretty impressive people. No wonder you are so excited.
Posted by: lady b at September 28, 2004 09:40 PM