The Story Behind the Music

Alex LoRe on Inspiration, Creativity, and Imagination

 

(Alex LoRe is a composer, arranger, and saxophonist living and performing throughout NYC)

quick chat with Nico Muhly

I was able to talk to Nico Muhly for a few minutes before the premier of his newest ballet One Thing Leads To Another at the Muziektheater in Amsterdam. The only room we could use was this creepy and very tiny one in the basement, as you will see I am cut out of the picture a bit. Enjoy!

Culture Shock in NYC

Alex LoRe - The other day, with my saxophone slung over my shoulder I walked along 7th Avenue in the West Village, on my way to see a friend of mine play at a local bar and café. It was my favorite kind of fall afternoon; the sun was high, the leaves were slightly hinting towards their inevitable color change and there was a pleasantly crisp breeze in the air.  As I got closer to the café a scruffy, older looking man approached me, and in an almost over-excited tone said, “Excuse me sir!” Now, I know this is a fairly common thing in New York City to happen (panhandlers, free comedy shows etc), but never in a thousand years would I have expected the following event to occur. He looked at me with an almost childish grin, then over to my saxophone, then back at me. All of a sudden, he started to sing the melody to the Charlie Parker song “Ornithology!” I couldn’t help but just stand there with a big smile stretched across my face for a while as he continued to sing the quite rare melody. Afterwards, I told him thank you and continued on my way. For the rest of the day I couldn’t help but wonder “why does this kind of thing only happen in a place like New York and no where else?”

            After living in cities such as Tampa, Boston and now New York, I can honestly say it never ceases to amaze me how there are so many talented artists and let alone just plain creative people residing in one area. Sure, New York is one of the most expensive places in the world to live; the apartments are small and you’re more likely to get hit by a taxi cab before you actually catch a ride in one. But it’s that same “cabbie-crazed” energy combined with people of all sorts from all over the globe - musicians, painters, photographers etc. that make this city such a special and unique place to live in.  It thrives with culture.

            With all of this in mind, I can’t help but ask the next question that pops into my head- “is living in New York giving me a false sense of reality?” On almost any night of the week I can go out and hear some of my favorite musicians, and then walk across the street to catch a show on Broadway, followed by some of the best ice cream you’ll ever have. But after telling some of my friends who don't live in NYC about my urban adventures, judging by their reactions it seems that New York is one of the only places where you can do all of these things in one night.  But, as great as I’m making New York seem, I know that I can't live here forever. Eventually I need to get out of this giant Frogger game of a city and settle down somewhere a bit calmer. When that day comes, I want to try and make my new community (artistically speaking) as close to New York as I possibly can. I mean, who wouldn’t enjoy living in a town where there is live music to see, musicals to catch and art galleries to go to almost every night? In my view, a town with culture is a happy town. 

 

            What is your city like, and is there anything that you can do to increase the culture there? Even if it’s getting a restaurant or bar to start having live music one night a week, it’s a step in the right direction.  As for me, I have a gelateria in midtown calling my name…until next time--

(Alex LoRe is a composer, arranger, and saxophonist living and performing throughout NYC)