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Two days, two cars, two complete strangers, two connections, two smiles – music is amazing!

Driving to Queens’ (our rehearsal space) yesterday, playing Charlie Byrd’s So Danco Samba in the car, windows down because it’s quite pleasant, even with the smoke. Blue Maruti pulls up alongside at the Vellara junction lights, single occupant, peaceful-looking gent with an odd hat. Suddenly turns to me and says – “It’s so odd to hear good music coming from a car these days… all this boom-chick nonsense is what you usually get! What you playing?” I smile and say “Charlie Byrd!”; he then goes – “You know I saw him live once in Chennai I think.. many years ago – he was GREAT!” Boom, we bonded on that. The lights change and we’re still discussing who plays drums with Charlie – I mistakenly thought it was Joe Byrd for some reason (and was instantly corrected – Joe plays bass).

See the Maruti briefly at the next intersection again, but then we’ve smiled and waved and gone our separate ways.

Today, driving to Queens again, this time with the windows up. A spanking new Fiat Punto (nice car, btw) Regn Z 1906 hangs behind me all the way from BTM till the Museum Road lights.. pulls up alongside and the driver, gent about my age perhaps, ready for the working day ahead, says something to me – rolled down the window and he’s going – “I’ve got YOUR music in my car!” I crack a grin and ask him what’s playing, and he pumps up the volume till I hear Holy Jose come blasting my way. What can I say? “You’ve got good taste!” is all I can manage. Smile and wave, and go our separate ways again.

The smallest things can make my day these days.