[Dixielandjazz] Listmate John Wilder

[Jim Kashishian]

My wife & I met up with listmate John Wilder last night in Madrid.  John is
a California pianist, and his wife, Jessica, is a singer.  We had a glass of
sherry in an old bar in downtown Madrid that hasn't seen a paint job since
before the Spanish Civil War...honest!  Then, an early (for Spain) dinner.
That gave us time to get back to my home for some Morrocan tea, and then
reach our gig which started at midnite.  John & Jessica managed to stay up
to the ripe hour of 3am at the club.
 
John joined the band for a few numbers on two of the three sets. He is a
very decisive pianist that could easily fit into any band in an instance.
No doubts there, if anyone is looking for someone.  I said at one point
"give us a 4 bar intro to Indiana".
After he asked me for the tempo, he gave a swinging count off to the rest of
the rhythm section and gave us a no-nonsence intro that left no doubt as
when we should enter.  He's been around!
 
Jessica joined us for "Blue Skies", and even managed a "Buenas Noches" to
the audience.  Very swinging!  I asked her to join me at the end of the
evening on The Saints, but forgot to mention the key to her.  We play it in
F, and that was the basement for her!  However, she managed very well, and
we did a bit of scatting together.  Our trumpeter, Pepe, blew us both away
with his scatting, though!  
 
It is really nice to meet up with folks from djml.  We all have something,
naturally, in common.  John & Jessica were in Spain after having done a
Mediteranean cruise.  My wife & I also enjoy cruises, so also had that to
discuss.  So, if you're gigging or cruising, you should look these folks up.
 
Jim