“It bugs me when people try to analyze Jazz as an intellectual theorem. It's not—it's feeling.” —Bill Evans, American Jazz Pianist

Last Wednesday night I went to Jazz Wednesdays at the Trinidad Hilton. A lot of people say to me, “oh gosh there’s nothing to do but go to the movies, or go to a bar and drink up and listen to some music.” I must admit, that while I lived abroad, I too had this view of social activities in Trinidad. On returning home though, I firmly decided that the activities I enjoyed doing abroad must be available here and by golly I was going to find them and do them! Jazz Wednesdays at the Hilton was one such activity. I first saw it advertised in the newspapers last week; its third week since inception. The Hilton had teamed up with the Jazz Alliance of Trinidad and Tobago (JATT) to present a weekly offering of Jazz every Wednesday on the terrace. How absolutely brilliant.

Even better, it’s absolutely free. All you need to enjoy this is a willingness to keep a Wednesday evening free, get yourself to the Hilton, and maybe call up a friend or two. And this is exactly what I did. With the girlies willing to try it out, we stepped out last night to enjoy some jazz. The Hilton’s terrace is a beautiful location for a night of music. The panoramic vista, a’twinkle with activity, provided the perfect backdrop to a baby grand piano and other musical accoutrements. Each café-style table was lit with a few tea candles, cosy and intimate, throwing out a warm glow into the clear, starry night. As we walked in a gentleman said to us “You’re looking lovely ladies.” I turned around and smiled “Looking lovely for a lovely occasion,” I said. Man can I be corny. He smiled though; charming! We settled back with our drinks, chatting away until the musicians took their places. And boy did the music flow!

It turns out I had just exposed the announcer for the evening (who happened to be one of the jazz masters that night) to my corny humour. Great. Song after song, cadences and riffs caressed us melodiously. These guys are masters at their craft. Not only was each set spectacular, but the rapport generated between the band members, especially the announcer, and the audience was one of pure ease and enjoyment. You immediately realised that not only were you enjoying a luxurious night of music, the band was enjoying the animation of the audience’s presence. And ever the macco (ahem, I mean observer), so was I. At the table next to us was a lovely couple who had obviously chosen this as the location for their post dinner dessert. At the table behind us there was a solitary gentleman, with an accent, who was obviously a music lover.

Seemingly knowledgeable about the songs, his appreciation for every second was a joy to witness. Also on the terrace was a group of women and a little boy—different generations of the same family it seems—and many who, like us, were enjoying an after dinner coffee or digestif with good friends. Indeed it was a shame to see the two-hour performance come to an end. The girls and I had enjoyed a sophisticated, cultured evening that was also relaxing and soothing; the perfect remedy for the mid-week slump. A triumphant contender to any jazz café I’ve ever been to in London. Life is certainly better under the stars in a Caribbean setting. —Caltriona Austin