Memorial Service @ St. Benedict's Church, Oakland

I was initially reluctant to take this gig because I watch my son every weekday morning, and the memorial was to start at 11am. But Linda, the vocalist I worked with today, convinced me to sign on. She has a daycare set up in her home and it would be available to leave the boy there. After being assured of all the details regarding his care, I assented to play for the service.

I had difficulty putting my suit on this morning -- the little guy was underfoot and really wanted my attention. I had to step around him and his outstretched arms several times lest we be late. I packed him and all his gear - bottle, extra food pouch, diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes just in case - and we headed off to Linda's house in the Oakland hills.

Linda and I rehearsed together at her home prior to departing for the church. She doesn't have a piano. Instead, I played on a funky 61-key keyboard. Some of the keys on the instrument were splattered with paint (care of one of Linda's daughters). It was a funny setup. We ran through our three songs: "Amazing Grace", Schubert's "Ave Maria", and "I'll Be Seeing You". All was smooth.

Arriving at the church, we found the deceased woman's body laid in an open casket in the building's entry. This is a crazy way to "meet" a stranger. I shuffled on in, past the mourners and toward the piano. From afar, the instrument looked to be a standard Yamaha grand piano. But upon closer inspection it revealed itself to be some bizarre digital/acoustic hybrid. I opened the lid and found no action therein: no strings, no hammers. Only a black felt cloth covering the area I expected to see standard innards. On top of the cloth was an abandoned bottled water container. This contributes to the sound? I don't know; I'm new to this venue. I discarded the plastic container.

The piano is plugged in to a Peavey speaker that sat at my left foot. I performed the memorial service with this monitor blaring upward at my left ear. It was not an ideal setup - I had no idea how well I was projecting around the room. I played a bunch of mellow hymns for prelude music. My three pieces with Linda were presented within the proceedings. I closed with a stately rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In".

It was a simple gig. Music can be comfort and solace. I picked up my son back at Linda's and he was a happy boy. It was clear that he had been well taken care of. We said our goodbyes to our new friends and then headed back home.

Jesse