Once again, this whole week I was swarmed with work. The U.S Embassy has engaged with SPArKS (Society of Performing Arts Kota Kinabalu Sabah) for a series of event to promote their culture and to strengthen their ties with the people of Sabah.
I'm actually writting this post in a small corner at a hotel ballroom lounge because I have some free time to write.
If you have been reading my previous posts, there was one that was about an American Navy act that came to perform in KK recently. This time around, they've brought in Gabrielle Stravelli (jazz singer) and her husband Pat who plays the double bass for her to KK. They were paired up with local musicians who are brothers. Alton Wong (keys) and Adriel Wong (drums).
So, the free concert took place at the Blackbox, Suria Shopping Mall. The venue had only prepared 250 seats and the crowd kept plowing in! At least more than 100 pax came in and we tried to add more chairs to accommodate them. It was full to the brim and at the end, the late comers had to be turned away politely because there were just no more room to even stand to watch the show!
This is Gabrielle Stravelli just doing what she loves and being in her "happy place".
(L-R) Alton, Gabrielle, Joan Jim (local guest jazz singer), Adriel and Pat (at the back holding the double bass).
Not often you get to see, hear and feel a band that has such good chemistry together. I heard them play the first time together earlier that day and it was all positive vibes and they all complimented each others playing. This is the thing that I absolutely love about music. It doesn't matter what age, country, race, religion you come from. When you play music, it is a language that comes from the heart and soul and it is able to connect total strangers.
I actually felt a bit sad to see their set end that night because everyone including myslef was having a good time listening to really good jazz tunes. Well, I guess like they say, all good things have to end. As it ended, we bid farewell to all the guests, musicians and the production team.
I spent sometime at the Blackbox with my ex colleague before leaving knowing that the Blackbox will eventually close it's doors for good soon. I don't know what is the fate of the performing art scene is going to be like in the future without having the Blackbox but I pray and hope that it will grow into something positive and beautiful.
Till then, it was good having the Blackbox at least for a little while in KK.
