In my typical night owl fashion, I do things post-midnight that the non-night owl population does before sunset.
Like take the recycling down to the basement.
One night (morning, if we're being pedantic) around 2am, I stepped into the elevator with an armful of broken down boxes -- once cardboard vessels for sneakers, snacks and New York Liberty apparel -- now ready to begin their transition to an alternate existence.
I pressed "B".
As my descent began, I heard faint notes of jazz music and initially thought to myself, Somebody's neighbors are pissed right now.
But as I got closer to the basement, the music got louder. I was slightly confused.
By the time I reached my destination the music was coming at me in 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound.
The elevator doors opened and the music stopped and a white dude holding a saxophone gave me a sheepish glance.
I returned a standard New York nod, dropped my boxes and started my journey back to the 23rd floor. I could hear the music again. The saxophone.
I laughed to myself. I laughed out loud, too. This guy was really practicing the sax in the basement, surrounded by folded boxes, discarded furniture, orphaned workout equipment and luggage that appeared to have seen every country in the world.
The music was fading.
My mind was racing.
This guy was really practicing the sax in the basement.
I need to shoot this.
Once back inside my apartment I loaded a roll of black and white film into my Minolta XE-7 and swapped out the 35mm lens for a 28mm.
As I was headed out again, I abruptly stopped and turned around to grab my Fujifilm X100. The situation called for something a bit more immediate.
Yeah, both.
For the second time in less than ten minutes I was in the basement, but this time with no recycling, just two cameras.
This time, the guy who was really practicing the sax in the basement not only stopped playing his instrument but shifted in his seat when he saw me.
He was guarded.
As if I was there to bark at him for playing music after 2am.
But no.
I explained to him that I was amused by what I saw and I had to get shots of this.
His guard was down. He was fully on board.
I told him I'd be quick.
I shot.
We talked. We laughed.
This is Griffin, who's been playing the saxophone for 14 years. He's very good.
