Plunger tribute

Little class and not too much on the docket this afternoon makes Kevin a happy boy. My friend Gavin was to be condemned to his room all weekend for RA duty starting at 6pm tonight. He wanted to do something with his afternoon that would allow him to step, if only briefly, outside the LuteDome. We looked at local movie times and found nothing that was either 1) enticing or 2) started at a time that would get us back here at 6pm. With that, we decided to join Matt Agee, Jenny, and Matt (my roommate) to a trip to the local Goodwill. We all reminisced in the toy, book, and computer sections of the thrift-lover's paradise. Among other things, we left with piles of books, a classic computer game, an Atari 2600 controller (that one's mine), and a silly (based on the move) Godzilla action figure that is sure to be a prime star for future stop-motion films.

The night brought about a concert of jazz music played by the PLU Jazz Ensemble and Lab Band. Both groups were tight and the energy in the concert hall was cascading from the stage. Cliff performed at the top of his game (as usual). Between bands he and the combo played the medley he performed at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival last week. Included within the charts the jazz ensemble played Cliff also had solos. At the end of Star Dust, Cliff had an improvised cadenza that lasted on the order of a few minutes. Cliff likes to take concerts as an opportunity to have some serious fun with his soloing. This time around was no exception that that rule! In mid-cadenza, he reached into his jacket pocket only to pull out a bright orange-red plunger mute. He stuck it in his bell and went to town! Now, this may seem like just another goofy thing ol' Cliffy just thought up but it was actually something he planned to do in tribute to me! That's right. Last semester after a rehearsal or two, we played around and jammed my plunger into his bell. He discovered some funky sounds could be made through this new accessory of his and we shared some great laughs at it all. So tonight, he used it. If a railroad crossing bell was a living creature and was susceptible to sickness, it would surely sound like what Cliff produces through his horn and a trumpet plunger mute. Nearly in tears from laughing I made eye contact with Cliff while the audience applauded his solo and the song, he mouthed to me "That's for you."

Thanks a ton Cliff. It was a great and unexpected surprise.

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