Christmas at the Jazz Club

The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club meets the second Sunday of every month so despite the fact that Christmas was a good two weeks away, the members were ready to bring it on right now! On entry, each of the 25 to 30 woman was given a Christmas tree ornament made from a plastic champagne "cork," made by a particularly creative member. Beaded with gold studs and thin gold wires, they looked like chandeliers. I found myself rather enviously wondering who had drunk all the bottles of champagne...

Red was the predominant color -- women in red sweaters, blouses, jackets; men boasting red shirts and socks. Several of the men had on Santa hats, but none was as good as Richard T's. He fiddled with something at the back of the hat and the hat top which had been in a floppy position near his shoulder began to rise to what I can only call a full erection! And then it waved around, side to side! He said he got it Card Smart, Hawthorne Boulevard, Torrance.

I was wearing my Christmas lights necklace and several women admired it and asked where I got it? Hallmark Cards, $12. It's particularly noticeable set on "blink."

The featured band was Night-Blooming Jazz Men (isn't that special?) under the baton of a rather crusty leader. He announced the key of each number to the band and asked that they try to find it this time. He told us that the band plays Christmas songs only once a year -- right here and at no other place.

It was certainly ... different to hear carols with a New Orleans jazz beat. "O Christmas Tree" rocked the house. Four couples got up to dance to "Silver Bells" in 3/4 time as a waltz. The drummer helpfully held up and rang a little set of bells at each chorus.

I began to be glad they hadn't tackled "O Holy Night" until I remembered the New Orleans funeral classic, "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."

All in all, it was a great afternoon. All of the musicians were in good spirits and enthusiastically played and sang. Thank you, Gentlemen!