It was 12 months 2 of the pandemic, within the spring, that I hit on the concept of getting my highschool saxophone refurbished. My 48-year-old horn got here again from the restore store in Midtown Manhattan per week later. I put it collectively in my Higher West Facet residence and … for the love of God, it was loud. A few days later, I noticed my downstairs neighbor within the foyer, and he requested, “Is {that a} sax I hear?” He professed to be OK with my rudimentary jazz stylings, however I used to be uncomfortable.
My constructing is straight adjoining to Riverside Park. The day after that encounter, I walked 10 minutes all the way down to the financial institution of the Hudson, discovered an association of boulders the place I might put my case and began to improvise to some Sixties soul jazz taking part in by way of my headphones. I used to be loud. Gloriously, triumphantly loud. Inside minutes, bike riders and strolling {couples} stopped to hear. Some took pictures. After that, I took my sax to the park nearly each day. Over the subsequent few weeks and on by way of this summer time, paddleboarders, canoers and motorboats on the river hove to the shore to hear for a couple of minutes. When the visitors on the close by West Facet Freeway floor to a halt, I received a spherical of applause. I had at the least two cameos on Instagram.
I discover it onerous to observe inside now, even in my constructing, the place the jazz pianist and composer Billy Strayhorn as soon as lived. It’s inhibiting. I miss the expansiveness of taking part in exterior. And I’ve discovered nature surprisingly attentive, regardless of the noise. Robins and sparrows — and just one phrase is feasible right here — flock to me as if I’m St. Francis of C Minor. Squirrels stand on their hind legs and repair me with onerous stares, like miniature critics. My most cherished fan, although, was Zippy, a goose with whom I had a previous relationship. (My spouse is named the Goose Woman of Riverside Park, however that’s a topic for one more essay.) One summer time day, Zippy and his prolonged household had been paddling south down the Hudson however then circled again and flew as much as the riverbank subsequent to me. Zippy sat there quietly for the subsequent 45 minutes till I packed as much as head dwelling. There may be nothing extra satisfying than entertaining a goose you’re keen on.
However, in fact, it’s the interactions with those who imply probably the most. Little children in matching T-shirts on day-camp outings are delighted. They clap for the noisy man. The man with the wild hair, consuming a sandwich on a close-by bench, beloved it too. “Are you aware Corridor and Oates?” he requested. “You need to study ‘Maneater.’ You could possibly make a number of dough taking part in that. Hey, in case you want some grub, that church on 99th is fairly good.” I wasn’t positive if I appeared like I might use a sq. meal or simply sounded prefer it.
