Thus at the next practice time, my tune had its soul infused by the members
of the Band.
In preparing the arrangement, I had already experienced the virtual performance
of a Jazz Big Band using the synthesized sounds from the computer, but
now they
performed the real sounds which have the overtones and the resonance, playing
with different musical instruments.
The familiar melody was changed into a more extensive and rich one.
At that moment, I was feeling the excitement until I came out in goose pimples.
"I was so happy !"
To tell the truth, I was very anxious and uneasy how the members of the Band
reacted to my tune.
This was more important than that I felt happiness...
When the performance was finished, the cool members of the Band said.
"Not bad !"
Though they uniformly praised me, my tune was a childish sound for them,
who were used to performing the first class tunes that famous composers arranged.
This was something which I understood.
Without regard to such factors, the gentle bandmaster Rob liked very much my tune,
and he used it as the warming-up one at the concert afterwards.
(It is good for a preparation exercise because it is easy.)
However really, they needed me as the pianist rather than the composer.
At the beginning, entering a serious Band and playing the piano without
confidence,
made me suffer mental anguish. I felt like I was humiliating myself each time
because of not being able to do well, and I wanted to cry.
I frequently thought like this.
"Give me a break! I want to quit!"
However, what got me thinking and being able to stay was,
"I really love Jazz!"
"This was my longtime dream!" and
"There was no such chance, any more!"
There was nothing but my strong desire for this.
Before long, after the passage of some days, the friendship with the members of
the Band became close, and I became aware that I was able to be part of them as
the regular pianist.
The main activities of this Band were the Christmas Concert and the Fall Concert
or more (2-4 concerts a year), and every week they were practicing aiming at the
concerts and trying new tunes.
Basically,because it was an amateur Band like a club, the members were fluid.
Though the regular number of the Jazz Big Band is 17,(when the bandmaster is
included,it is 18),there were often more than 20 players in this Band,
It was a very popular Band as once 3 drummers were on the register
at the same time.
As well, there were as many as 4 members who could compose including me
(one was a professional), and it was a unique Band because each original tune
was acceptable to be presented at the concerts.
For 5 years until returning to Japan, I played Jazz music in this dream world.
I was such a lucky girl.
I very much appreciate them showing me great hospitality when I was there.
