Life is fleeting. It seemed like only yesterday that I was a 14 year old school-boy who used to go down to the music shops and play on the pianos and organs for hours after school before I went home. I used to go to Yamaha and City Music next to my school at St. Josephs Institution. I used to also go my friend and schoolmate Hilarion Ignatius Gs house in Queen street less than 200 meters from the school and Hilarion and I used to take turns between playing the organ and piano and jamming. Sometimes I would play the drums and he would play the Organ. Hilarion was one of my first mentors, always showing my harmonies he was experimenting with, arrangements he had written and sharing blues and jazz licks with me. he also planted the seeds of music entrepreneurship in my psyche and also taught me stage presence and confidence just by watching him. Hilarion, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and for what you shared with me in those early years. You were instrumental (no pun intended....ok ok pun intended) in helping to create the musician I am today. Thank you. Eventhough now you work as a world-class photographer, your help and encouragement is one of the reasons I get to do what I do now. There was a school concert one day at SJI, parents were invited to attend. My Mum and Dad were so proud, expecting to see their son play the piano and see the result of many years of paying lots of money for piano lessons. But then, Hilarion (who is a year or two older than me) had worked out an instrumental version of Olivia Newton-Johns Let Me Be There and when I came on stage with Hilarion for our item and when I sat down at the drums, I turned to look at my parents, their faces were aghast. We played the tune and they school hall erupted in applause and my parents were smiling when we took out bows. I had so much fun I almost gave up piano and wanted to change to the drums. In the car, my parents said, you did well and Im sure you had fun, but dont you get any ideas about giving up the piano. hahaha! Parents always know best. Im glad I listened, kicking and screaming sometimes, but I listened. I cant imagine being anything else other than a musician. I cant thank anyone more than my parents for giving me that invaluable gift of years of music lessons and never allowing me to give up or drop out. It was never an option for me. Kicking and screaming and skulking and moaning.....they just kept encouraging, cajoling even what at the time felt like forcing. Tough love. Its so underrated these days.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 20:33:55 +0000
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