Diary Of A Busker Day 11 Friday December 17th Winchester High Street (opposite WH Smiths) Time: 11:40 – 1:05pm.
The coldest day yet and I wasn’t looking forward to playing at all. But as it turned out, I was touched by the hand of human kindness. Half an hour into my session, with fingers so cold I couldn’t feel the ends, a man about 65, who had been sitting on the bench opposite came over – “You play any jazz, anything that swings?” I don’t play any jazz apart from Duck Bakers’ arrangement of Georgia On My Mind but that’s slow – it doesn’t really ‘swing’ as such, and I’d never busked it, but I mention it. He pulled out a £10 note and said I could have it if I played the song. I played it, but wasn’t too happy, as I’d made a few mistakes and I’m not sure this guy was satisfied, so I quickly went into La Vie En Rose, which really does swing. He seemed happier with that, and I got the ten pounds. I thanked him most profusely – this amount is what I usually make in an hour. “People want something cheerful, turn up, make it swing! By the way, I’m Paul, I’m Glen Millers’ Godson, you know.”!
…a little later, a woman plonks a cup of coffee in front of me – “To keep you warm”. Again, touched by the hand(s) of human kindness.
Earnings: £16.70 – thanks, Paul (Glen Millers’ Godson) – my goodness, whatever happened to Mr. Miller and that aeroplane…