Musicians: Preetha Narayanan (violin, vocals) Ben Hazleton (double bass)
I joined the Spitz Team relatively recently; I was first invited to play with my friend and fellow musician; double bassist Ben Hazleton, and am slowly easing my way into this brilliant team.
The first time I played at Bridgeside Lodge, I was sincerely moved by the experience. I was affected by the emotional responses and engagement of those who we played to, those who listened; Ms GH with her singing and wild hand gestures, Mr JC smiling and accompanying on the guitar, Ms JG enjoying, in such a refined way, our choral music, and Ms JB saying the words “happy” and “thank you” with help from her partner, to name a few. And even hearing the stories of these residents, the incredible lives they have led, and their amazing families.
It had been a long time since I had done anything of this nature. My mother used to take me to play at local nursing and care homes during my childhood days, growing up in Memphis, Tennessee. This instilled in me the power of music as a gift and offering to anyone and everyone, and particularly to those in need. The value of music as a tool of empowerment instilled young, guided my subsequent choices, and I studied on a wonderful Masters’ course which brought musicians from different cultures and styles of music together who shared a resonant ethos with mine: believing in the power of music to transform others and the importance of connection. Socially engaged artistic practice was at the core, and I moved into such varied contexts with diverse communities, people of all ages and backgrounds to share music in all forms.
Even so, during Covid and also, as my professional career has become very multi-faceted and performance/composition centric, it has been easy to get bogged down by the everyday and forget this magic. Music can truly have a strong effect. which I had the chance to witness again through working with The Spitz.
Ben and I have gone back to play together a number of times. The versatility to go into different musical spaces with him is a real joy, nothing like a performance- just an extension of our own souls and commitment to music-making and the potential to express ourselves through music, connect to each other, and connect to the listener.
Earlier this month, we were back at Bridgeside, and there were some really special moments. For me, it was nice to be more familiar with the environment as well as some of the residents. They recognised me and I knew their vibe too.
Ben and I always give ourselves fully to the music, every moment of play has meaning. We did a freer improvisation which was really captivating to us, but one of the residents was struggling with the sound of the violin and could not tolerate the sound! We were sent on our way, but I did not take this personally and rather took this as a reason to be more sensitive in my playing and also to remember that there are nuances to sound that will not resonate with everyone. The honesty was really valued!
We ended up staying in another communal space for a long time. JC was back on his guitar strumming along to the many tunes we soared through: ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’ followed by groovy Arabic and Eastern European folk melodies plus Brazilian Jazz! I sang an Indian devotional song, that created a calming mood had a strong effect, particularly on GH who sang and gestured loudly and then gradually grew very quiet and calm. Throughout our playing, there were smiles, movements, sneers, and all the rest. But whatever the response, we were happy to give it our all, and with hope, and feel the connection with the residents.
Sometimes the most beautiful performances and music-making emerge in these intimate, unexpected, and delicate environments. It is a humbling experience to go from a large concert stage to a care home and I am again reminded of the vulnerability of humankind and health and also the beauty of fragility.
