Dream weekend with Brian Culbertson and David Sanborn

The Dream Tour–Photo by Monica RG

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the Brian Culbertson/David Sanborn were to be in Tucson the same weekend I would be there for another concert. My Girls, Monica and Theresa patiently waited for me to get my ticket. When the day came that I was ready to buy, I found out that we were not going to be sitting in the front. Okay, I thought, I’m going to go with the crowd, relax, sit back a ways for a bit less money. I’m gonna chill and not be the spoiled brat who “Must sit in the first 5 rows”. I’ve seen both Artists before (although within the first 5 rows…hahaha!)

I drove from Phoenix to Tucson in just enough time to drop off my things, jump in the car, and have Monica drop me off to have dinner with my friends, Elisabeth and Steve, along with their friend Johan. We had a lovely dinner a few doors down from the Fox Theater, where the concert was being held. They were in the front row, of course. So I glared at them during dinner….

We walked over to the Theatre, where I got a glass of wine, while they took their front row seats. I went to row P, and sat down at the aisle. There was an older woman in the same row, and she struck up a nice conversation. She is a big Richard Elliot fan, and travels all over to see him. I told her about my Peter White travel agenda. I told her I would be back for the Tucson Jazz Society’s New Year’s Eve Gala, since PW would be in town. She offered to cook me dinner, said she was a gourmet cook. She wanted to be at our table during the NYE party. When Theresa and Monica arrived, we all said our hello. The show starts, and I notice that the woman is no longer there. I thought that was strange, but okay.

We’re going to have fun! Thanks to Rhonda B for the photo!

It’s important to know that I had just upgraded my phone in June. Not a lot of experience with the camera in it since I’ve had it. Apparently, after a certain amount of time, it will reset itself to have flash. Not good in this venue. Theresa later tells me that the woman who was gonna cook me dinner said to her “Well, if you’re going to be doing that, (taking photos) I’m going to move!” So she did! I’m attempting to take a few photos……from Row P. The ushers come over and tell us no flash or video. No problem. I take a break in trying to get photos for a while, and then try again. Damn, the flash goes off. David Sanborn is playing “Spooky”. The ushers come over and I tell them it was a mistake. I apologize profusely.  They then decide they are going to hover at the end of our aisle to watch us!! At this point, I feel like I’m in prison. I drove a couple of hours–made it just in time for dinner, I’m trying to enjoy the show and you’re watching me?!

Why would I need flash? I can’t see Sanborn’s face!

I don’t know the set list, but I definitely heard my favorites. “Always Remember”, “On My Mind”– Brian Culbertson kicked the show into high gear with “Serpentine Fire” and we were clapping and dancing (while remaining seated). Brian played the title cut from his new CD, “Dreams”. BC had some other fans in the house, too, because now and then, they would jump up and clap or do a little dance. Well, when Sanborn played “Chicago Song”, you know I had to get into the groove. For only 40 seconds I stood up to dance. I sat back down. Hey, at least I didn’t get up for “Maputo”! Whatever song was next, was my undoing. I took a photo and the flash went off again. The usher comes down the middle aisle this time, and asks me to come with him. I obey, quickly. He escorts me to his Manager out in the Lobby, while saying “This was not the first time you were told!” I explain to the manager that my phone was new, it was resetting itself, and I would no longer take any photos. I explained that without the flash, everyone was turning out ghostly white, so I had no desire for flash anyway! She let me go back in. I take my seat, and no more photos for the night. At least not until the end.

BC on Trombone!

Then, David Sanborn plays my favorite, “The Dream”. For me, that song has a signature beginning. For David Sanborn, it’s his song, so he can improvise the beginning if he wants to. Me, no likey. I’m telling this to Theresa, since we both say its our favorite song. Some other women have taken seats down our row, and I see one of them say something to Theresa. She’s asking us to be quiet. Okay, that’s cool. But she pointed into Theresa’s arm while doing it. Theresa starts getting angry, because it hurt her arm. She’s going to speak to the woman after the show. Aw, Lawd! She’s little, but she’s scrappy! Evil ushers have moved on to harassing a different woman, who took an empty seat in the front row. She doesn’t budge. I salute her. The show is mostly over, and if some couple didn’t show up, so why not let the woman sit there??  We listen to the rest of the song, as beautiful as it was, and then the lights come on.

We’re innocent! Don’t we look it?

I move away from Theresa, and tell Monica to watch out! She asked the woman not to touch her again. We won’t go into what else happened, ’cause I blocked it out. I was already on “probation” at this venue. We were meeting another friend that had backstage passes. The 3 of us go to the stage entrance and wait near one of the ushers. I meet up with Elisabeth again, and she asks me if I had a good time. I tell her, the music was fabulous, the harassment, not so much. The usher chimes in that someone in the audience complained about my flash.  Hmmm. Could it be my NYE chef?

Now I know what you’re thinking. It was me. It’s always me. The performers think its me. It was an accidental flash! I wasn’t dancing in the aisles like my normal gigs, I was good! Seriously!!

The shows end….WITHOUT flash!

Anyway, we went backstage, and I tried to block out the non-musical parts of the evening. The show  was great. I caught up with Chris Miskel, met Ricky Peterson for the first time, and we took photos with the band. I told some guests there who were discussing Brian’s Napa Valley Getaway how great it was, and they said that sealed their deal!

Our Buddy Chris in the middle..

We’re taking a photo with Ricky Peterson!

Me with Brian Culbertson

I didn’t realize David Sanborn had come out, and I asked him to sign my “Change of Heart” CD. “Oh, you’re going Old School on us, huh?” he asked. Whoa. David Sanborn just talked to me.

Signed CD

We said our goodbyes to Theresa, and we were in the Lobby when the CD signing was winding down. Once it was over, we were able to speak with the Artists.  I mentioned to David about seeing him on the Smooth Jazz Cruise, and he asked if I was going in 2013. I told him no. He asked why not. I said, matter-of-fact “Because Peter White is not on it!” I will be on the Dave Koz cruise, because Peter White is on that one! He says “Oh, okay!”. Brian laughed and said he’d see me on that one! BC fans, Brian is cruising everywhere!!

Brian Culbertson, Me and David Sanborn

The great music and talking with David and Brian was the highlight of my evening, and I am so glad I could be a part of it. In Row P. With very few photos…..*wink*

Passionately Yours,

LoryG