When doors opened for the jazz meeting at the Cactus Cafe, a mostly older crowd entered and made their way to the bar and their seats, laughing and talking amongst each other. Later, as the younger crowd, composed of mostly UT students, arrived, they fell quiet and patiently waited for the meeting to begin. Then, Rabbi Neil Blumofe took the stage, ready to host the Cactus’ monthly jazz meeting, a consistent gig of his for over a decade.
“I’ve been coming to campus now for 12 years (hosting these meetings),” Blumofe said. “It’s nice to have people coming in and out. If this is your first time, you’re probably thinking ‘Man, this guy is intense.’”
These meetings, according to the Cactus, explore the lives and development of various jazz artists through their music, as well as addressing important topics in the world, religion and music culture.
The evening kicked off with Blumofe thanking the bar and soundbooth staff before diving into the meeting’s sermon. He began discussing the night’s theme of exile and encouraged the audience to reflect on life and music.
“We have choices, amid the maelstrom of the world, of who we are going to show up for and how we’re going to treat others; especially those we don’t agree with,” Blumofe said. “I’m going to choose to lean on and go wherever the musicians decide to go. For us, if at least for this moment, this place can be a place of refuge and a homeland for each of us together.”
After reflecting on the life of Dexter Gordon, an American jazz player, the band came onto the stage. The band launched into their set filled with a mix of melancholy and upbeat tunes, going hand in hand with the dimly lit cafe. The cool blue and yellow lighting on the stage set the pensive atmosphere while also highlighting the theme of alienation prevalent in the music.
Notably, the trumpet and saxophone played beautifully while the bass kept the rhythm going. Accompanied by whooping and whistling from the audience, each player took a few bars to solo, showcasing their skills. Halfway through the show, the band played a jazz rendition of “Happy Birthday” for one of their members.
As the band played Dexter Gordon’s music, the younger crowd seemed restless in their seats. They swayed and tapped their toes on the chairs in front of them while the older crowd bobbed their heads to the beats, some with closed eyes and wide smiles on their faces as they sipped their wine and beer.
Blumofe confessed he questioned whether the event should move forward amidst tumultuous world events, but expressed gratitude over the event bringing together a crowd of both young and old for a wonderful night at the Cactus Cafe.
“For wherever you go, I will go,” said Blumofe, quoting from the Book of Ruth. “Wherever you live, I shall live. Your people shall be my people. When you die, I shall die. And there I will be buried.”
