One night in Bangkok....I mean Vancouver

Iaman reports from Vancouver:

Interesting night.

J the landlady slips her skinny jeans on, flashy wig and sunglasses invites the houseguests to Jazz club 70th birthday tribute to 'William'  ex NFL player turned jazz Bass player ....who is riddled with oldester maladies.
Her buddy Salve accompanies us,  bespectacled, quiet Filipinia.

Driving in Vancouver

J asks me to drive,  the Tundra being short a couple seats,  we take J's Ford minivan.  No drinking for me tonight (I dont drink anyhow) and responsible all  of a sudden for 6 world travelers, driving a strange van in a dark crowded unfamiliar city.
Fortunately the old van is a pleasure to drive, though a bunch of warning lights are on ("dont worry about those,  oh and dont trust the mirrors, they move")
Arriving safely with expert directions from J ( shes live in VBC all her life)We meet William at the door,  big strong older  jazzman wearing a worn grey silk suit.
We  snag a table front center,  our Chinese contingent  a bit out of  their comfort zone, but game.
Music starts slow, the musicians are skilled,  turns out locally famous, a handsome Trumpet player joins them midset,  J and he were talking earlier about tour logistics,  turns out he too is famous with CDs and concert tour.  William the birthday boy is the quintessential jazz bassman and soulful singer.

Dancing in the Jazz club

All is going swimmingly, grooving to the beat.  Then J gets up and invites me to dance  with her and the other 6 women dancers. Ok!?!  I do my best jazz skatt steps,  J is a fabulous smooth expressive dance ( " Did I tell you I taught ballet and modern dance?" J quips)

Sitting with Salve, I learn she has been married 40 years to her piano player husband,  has grandkids.  The couple had a popular jazz club for 15 years.  received numerous awards and still play in concerts, shows me her videos, yep a pro, and wow glamorous dressed up  and dazzling coifs.  A real show woman, not shy on stage.  She also mention she used to swim 50 laps a day,  which I do,  but that interfered with her hair now she does 1.5 hours of calisthenics per day....Than explains her physical condition.

Turns out J arranged the concert/party  calling in many local musicians  many who performed expertly,  J is a self proclaimed connector.  What a great hostess to have in a strange city.

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Update a few days later. Previous post about One night in Bangkok.