Bridge Under Construction
I wouldn’t be able to count the times (there’ve been too many) when, after playing a few notes, I instantly find myself surrounded by the smiles of friends I didn’t know I had. Usually, once I take a break and get off stage, I’m greeted by handshakes and hugs. Interesting conversations are never scarce either.
Always an adventure! Always new! Always one kind of surprise or another! It happened last Saturday night when the wonderful guys of the Tuna Bardos came over and dedicated a song to me. They even incorporated my name into the song! I had arrived at one of my favorite places in the whole planet, Bodegas Andreu Solé, encircled by bridges spilling over, looking for everything to come alive and you can be sure it did.
We all celebrated the longest day of the year with a full-mooned night of rejoicing. I always remind myself that celebration is a human need that we must never deny. Celebration is all about togetherness, and music is the kind of collective adventure that shortens the distance between individuals. Music reminds us how connected we really are. Oh yes you might’ve guessed it by now! Music is my favorite bridge building method, and like any well-made bridge it merges, it unites, it connects, it bonds.
That night, anything that could’ve been overlooked suddenly became evident. We showed ourselves as the visible community we truly were. The nourishment we drew from each other awakened us. And that nourishment is the one that can help us return to our separate realities refreshed, replenished and re-spirited. Later, something will remind us of our happy time together and joy will cease to seem impossible like we sometimes think it is.
Everywhere I’ve been to; everywhere I’ve played; (Puerto Rico, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, the United States, etc.) I arrive as a stranger and leave saying goodbye to some very special new friends. Isn’t that one of the greatest gifts ever? Isn’t that what the power of music is all about?
You know all those places you always wanted to visit? GO EXPLORE THEM! You know all those friends you haven’t met yet? GO MEET THEM! My only advice would be to bring music with you. If you do, you’ll find yourself surrounded by bridges in no time. Music never lets you be a stranger for too long. At least it has been that way for me.
That’s why every time I play a concert I hold a sign that says: “BRIDGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION”. Am I a musician? Am I a bridge builder? Sometimes I’m not sure…