Let there be music!
Music gives life flavor!
Who’s this handsome gentleman at the pink piano?
That happens to be piano instructor Terry Miles.
And he’s going to play some tunes for us.
Welcome to Birmingham City Center!
2020’s been a rough one. You know what the world needs right about now?
Some classic American boogie-woogie!
Terry sets his hands down on the keys… The kid in the skull shirt is ready for anything. The only problem, however, is the fact that this piano is supposed to be “out of order”…
As in… playing this piano is forbidden. Still, it doesn’t stop Terry!
The madman breaks into a boogie-woogie frenzy!
Terry buries himself deep in the bouncing rhythm of improvised boogie-woogie smack in the middle of a shopping center.
His frenetic flurry forces him to his feet.
Soon enough, his female companion offers her exquisite services in the form of a right hand.
She adds a few colorful chords atop Terry’s bouncing groove.
By this point, a group of onlookers has flocked like seagulls on a beach.
They’re into the music like Van Morrison in 1980.
Terry steps away from the keyboard. His friend whips out a harmonica and starts wailing.
Bob Dylan would be proud!
The trio continues their jam session near the entrance of the shopping center.
So what exactly is boogie-woogie?
Well, you’ve probably heard it countless times before!
The piano is often associated with classical giants such as Beethoven, Chopin, and Mozart.
But not all piano music is rooted in continental European traditions!
In fact, some of the greatest piano innovations in the last 150 years have come out of black communities in cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and New York City.
The bouncing boogie-woogie draws from the blues and took form in the early 20th century. The genre’s popularity peaked prior to the end of World War II.
Back to our trio.
The harmonicist takes a turn at the piano, adding some flair to the upper registers.
He’s not half bad.
Neither is his other half!
By this point, a sizable crowd’s gathered in a circle around our esteemed performers.
It seems like everyone in the mall has taken notice…
Including the mall security.
Move over Paul Blart, we’ve got ourselves a “situation.”
I guess it’s mall protocol to squash musical magic!
He’s honestly not a bad guy. He’s been doing the mall’s dirty work for way too long.
Fortunately, his feeble musical suppression attempts fall on deaf ears…
I mean, musically-inclined ears.
Mall security attempts to smother the sound some more, but it’s just not working.
Nobody – the guard included – wants to hear the music stop.
The musicians simply do not care. They won’t let anything stop the music!
The guard puts up a final fight before giving up.
But deep down, he’s completely fine with it.
Terry takes to his knees.
He’s defiant and unwavering in the face of sound suppression!
Terry genuinely believes that the music cannot and will not be silenced!
The onlookers seem to agree with him completely.
With the floundering security guard hovering over his shoulder, Terry knows his time is limited.
He confidently continues his performance, building tension.
Every note moves towards an epic, grand release!
Terry’s hands fly up and down the keyboard one last time. He lets out a few more chords before hopping up in relief.
The crowd loses it! Even the security guard is impressed.
Wow, what a performance!
Amid ample applause, Terry shakes the guard’s hands, thanking him for his patience.
I have a feeling the guard will never forget this specific “illegal” performance!
So what do you think of this improvised piano session?
If you’re eyeing the keys but are too hesitant to start, have no fear!
Like anything, building piano skill takes time and a whole lot of muscle memory. Starting is the hardest part!
Remember, practice makes perfect!
Make sure to check out the entirety of Terry and friends’ fantastic performance in the video player below!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
