City Nights

I stopped by Above Evelen while exploring Sukhumvit and Nana Plaza. Rather different from Silom, which features many Japanese restaurants for Japanese tourists, Nana offered fares of the Arabic, Persian, and Indian varieties. The bar has a nice view, and the music consisted of one DJ (drum and bass) plus one saxophonist (extra flair).

After, I swung by RCA with a couple of Thai friends I made. I wasn't super impressed with the same flavor of nightclub that we have in LA. Cool lights though.

The next night (Wednesday) I went to Saxophone Pub, the premier jazz hotspot in Bangkok. And oh man did it deliver! Wednesday and Thursday are big band nights, so I got to see a good lineup of Thai jazz musicians. Their sound was very much influenced by Michael Bublé, and they covered a number of his band's arrangements. During a break I asked the trumpet player about his unusual mouthpiece and made a request for "But Not For Me." I also asked if they do weekly jam sessions, like the Blue Whale in LA. He said they do jams on certain standards, like "Watermelon Man." That song was in their set, and as they kicked it off, the boys nonverbally invited me to play. A little bit loose from the liquor, I knew this would be fun in spite of not practicing for a month. I didn't even remember the key or the melody to the chart. But it's just a blues-based bebop, so I faked it pretty successfully. The most awkward moment came when I tried to return the horn, couldn't find the owner, then saw him pointing to a stand that I could not see. It's the moment caught on film below.

[wpvideo 8izJ7G9i]

I had a pleasant time in Bangkok, largely in part thanks to the Kinnon Hostel. It's so nice that I stayed three extra nights. Everything was clean. The staff is super sweet. The food is cheap and healthy. Large combo lockers fit all my gear. Keycard eased access to rooms and the building after hours. And the aesthetics are so hip. I can't wait to come back. Best hostel ever. I WANT ONE!!