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January is one of the great weather months in Southwest Florida. There are many things that visitors talk about, and come back for,…things that we often take for granted. Things like the beaches, the water, or even just dining at a restaurant that offers outdoor seating.

(Note,…..this is a not-so-very subtle transition)

Wednesday night, the band I play with, Pat O’Brien’s Palm City Jazz, played at Coconuts, a new restaurant that offers outdoor, waterfront seating. For more info, you can visit my music website, www.jimsyoen.com.

The weather was perfect, the sliding screen windows were open, and the sizeable crowd had a great time. However, it was a new venue, and a somewhat new crowd for our band, and as the evening progressed, I noticed something very pleasing.

Our band plays traditional jazz and swing, and when advertised, will usually draw an older audience. Wednesday night however, the crowd was split down the middle between an older demographic, and people in their 20s and 30s.

To my delight, almost all of the compliments were from the younger people. When possible, some of the wait staff would actually stand right next to the band and listen intensely. When they waited on the customers, they swayed with the music, snapping their fingers. (I know that sounds a bit clichéd, but it’s very true)

At the end of the evening, I was approached by no less that half a dozen employees, ALL in their 20s, who said, (in a slightly surprised tone), Wow,…you guys sound good!” To borrow a line from Muhammad Ali,….Well, we ARE good. At least the two guys I play with are.

Bob Schroeder has played clarinet professionally for over 50 years, and if you peruse jazz music on the Internet, you’re likely to hear his clarinet with several bands.

Pat O’Brien on banjo was a featured performer at Disney for over ten years, and was such a popular banjo player in New Orleans, they named a pub after him. (That’s the story he tells, anyway)

It was very rewarding to hear the numerous compliments from the younger crowd, because I firmly believe that almost everything in life is cyclical, including music.

I’m sure that many of the younger people in the audience didn’t know the titles of our songs, but likely recognized the melodies,…whether it be from a Bugs Bunny cartoon, commercials, or just through musical osmosis through the years.

Watch any NFL playoff game this weekend. You will likely see a great VISA commercial featuring the New Orleans Saints, with Louis Armstrong playing the music. The particular recording was made almost 50 years ago, but here it is, back again.

I’m sure there is a larger lesson to be learned here, but I will leave that to people much smarter than I.

I’m just happy as heck that they enjoyed the music.