Montreal Musicians

Some of my musician buddies in Toronto actually came from Montreal. We had a lot of stories to tell and it appears we had a lot in common as to the kind of work we've done and the acts we've played over the years.

My buddy Al told me about being the band leader for several years at the Skyline Hotel in Montreal.  He fronted a seven piece group and backed up an array of singers and entertainers. On this particular Monday (the rehearsal day) they were going to back-up a male singer.  The guy considered himself a would-be Mario Lanza.

At the rehearsal, Al went to the lead alto player and cautioned him that when this singer got excited,  especially when he came to the ending of the song.. his pitch elevated.. and he got sharper the louder he got. Some of the musicians hadn't played this performer before and were also alerted to this problem.  

As it turned out the last notes were painful to hear and the horns had a difficult,  if not impossible time trying to making the chord accept this guy's pitch. I mean it was sharp..  like practically in another key.

After about three numbers during the rehearsal, Jerry the lead alto player (finally after the cut-off of the ending note) blurts out with great resolve and apparent exasperation," Well, that settles it. Tomorrow I'm taking my horn in to have it tuned."

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