Last night, Victor Wooten came to my campus to play a show and talk about his book. I frantically finished his book, The Music Lesson, the night before, finishing at 12:30am! I couldn't put it down and couldn't fall asleep til I finished it all! What a good book!
We got there early and got seats right up front...the whole gang! Dustin's aunt, grandma, and cousins came up from Oregon, and his friend Mike (who also graduated last year) flew in from Southern California. Then we had Dustin, Dylan, Ricky, Ricky's neighbor Chris, Patrick, Brian, and Sam all sitting with us. Quite the crew.
He first played with the Puget Sound Jazz Band and they rocked. But the real magic happened once Victor started soloing. I could not believe anything he was playing was physically possible! It blew my mind in a way no other music has. My jaw was dropped for at least 75% of the concert! He has this natural gift to bring music to life that really makes you stop and listen to everything he's doing. And yet, at the same time, you can't wrap your mind around what is coming from his bass! The guy is talented, no question there!
I was SO excited when he stopped to talk a bit about music advocacy and the book, itself. Everything that man says is pure genius. He's just real and down to earth, and as genuine as they come. I was hanging on just about every word that was coming out of his mouth. He makes you want to be a better musician and teacher.
He jammed a bit more, again, making my head explode with his sheer talent. He was joined this time around, by other UPS musicians, comprised of Dylan's housemate Joe on drums, and one of my most favorite professors, Dr. Hutchinson, on a 6-stringed bass. They were awesome, and I know they were all enjoying themselves to the fullest. Victor concluded the concert with an encore of 'Amazing Grace.' It was remarkable. Never once did I want this concert to end...it could have gone on for hours and hours and I never would have tired of what this man could accomplish.
After waiting around for a large majority of the audience to talk with him and sign autographs, our clan got the opportunity to talk with him, get our books signed, take some pictures, and then head out to dinner. Yup- that's right- I got to eat with Victor Wooten. My friend Cailin is the Cultural Events programmer who put this whole concert together, and she invited the whole crew out to BJs after. We got there, and it just so happened that I got to sit next to him! Awesome!
We eventually said goodbye (after having some beer and Pizzookie...yum [to the pizzookie...no beer for me!]) and got home around 1:30am. Late night! But so inspiring and wonderful!
Victor with Geoff, Steven, Dustin, and Ricky (Dylan wasn't to be found, apparently)
Kind of blurry, but Dustin's Grandma, Jean, and aunt Cathy with Victor
I got a picture with him, too. Hooray!
My new book! Everyone should read this book. It's such a quick read and it really makes you think about things differently! I got super excited to find out that he's in the process of writing a sequel that explores more about music, taking off from where this book leaves off. I can't wait, especially since a big topic of the upcoming book has to do with music advocacy and keeping music alive and in schools. Totally my thing!
My signed copy. Alright!
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