While in college, I played piano in bars, clubs, homes and any other place someone would pay me and offer an adult beverage. One New Year's, I was hired to play a private party at a very upscale penthouse apartment in New York City. The hosts had a beautiful Baldwin grand piano in their living room which had large windows looking out over Central Park. My repertoire included holiday songs and classics from the American songbook in a light jazz style. I took requests, of course, since I'd often get additional tips. I was in the music business, after all!
There were about 40-50 guests and they were enjoying the evening boisterously. Some time after midnight, two ladies who had over imbibed were hanging around the piano jabbering loudly. Suddenly, one woman lost grip of her drink under the open piano lid. The other woman grabbed for the glass but hit the stick holding up the lid which crashed down on her arm while the drink soaked the sound board! The lady's arm was seriously hurt and she left with her husband to get help. I cleaned up the piano as best I could but I gave the hosts the number for a piano technician that I knew. They were very generous before I went home and enjoyed New Year's alone.
Another year, I was hired to play keyboards in a mid-sized combo. The group had a woodwind player who played saxes, clarinet and flute, a trumpeter, a trombonist and the rhythm section was electric piano/synthesizer, bass and drums. The bassist was the leader and she also sang with a sultry belt. The gig was on a large party boat out of Ft. Lauderdale and we played arrangements of standards and holiday stuff she brought. There were maybe 30 guests and 5 or 6 crew.
Once again, alcohol was involved. We were playing our last set and the crowd was dancing up a storm. During a cover of an up-tempo Earth, Wind and Fire song, a couple dancing on the fantail lost their footing and fell overboard. We couldn't see what had happened so we kept jamming on while most people kept dancing. Finally, the man overboard klaxon started blazing and we thought it would be best to stop playing. The crew were amazing in rescuing the couple but the party was pretty much over. As the boat returned to its berth, we played Auld Lang Syne in a dirge-like style. Not the most joyous New Year's Eve but I still got paid!
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