A Review: Syd "Styg" Brixham's Concert

By Paul Hibbert

Last night the residents of Santa Fe, NM were privileged to witness a most astounding concert, the likes of which will assuredly not occur again in their lifetime. Syd "Styg" (named from his blues period) Brixham and his orchestra played "I'm Glad There is You" at the Lensic Theater to an audience of about 200 people. I was first puzzled by how this phenomenal work was able to be kept under wraps but later I was informed that Brixham never used his new technique in rehearsals — the orchestra was at first horrified that he had abandoned his conventional style but quickly realized what a wonderful thing was occurring.

The piece starts of with the horns of the traditional big band sounding the familiar slow and slightly dissonant three notes, "duh-duh-duhha" ("In this world") and then is joined by Brixham on his trumpet.  What Brixham does with this instrument is something that has never been heard before. His notes are like acrobats, unencumbered by the laws of gravity and inertia, plucking fruit from some celestial tree. The intricacies of his improvisations are without compare but, magically, the audience was never left without the basic theme, as if there were another hidden trumpet carrying the tune. His melodic excursions left the listeners breathless, testing them time and time again in their ability to keep up, but no one was left behind. His sensitivity, purity of tone and inflection were absolutely marvelous. For forty-five minutes he continued with ever new and innovative interpretations — leaping, soaring.

When the final note was played there was complete silence for perhaps ten seconds and some members of the orchestra, not knowing what was going on, put their hands to their foreheads to look out to the audience, others started shuffling to leave the stage. Then one man from the audience shouted, "No!" and the audience, overcome by emotion, left their seats and surged forward to the stage. Never have musicians been so lauded. For half an hour there was nothing but cheers and tears. They were frantic in their adulation. At one point Brixham attempted to get them to quiet down so that he could introduce the members of the orchestra individually, but to no avail.

The explanation for the phenomenon of Brixham is elusive. I believe that he has gained access to some universal, hitherto unknown, cognitive function of the human psyche and is able to communicate with it in some mysterious way.  He has discovered a new kind of music, "meta-music" if you will. What this will be finally called I have no way of knowing, and at present Brixham is the only exponent of it. I am unsure if this new form of expression can be learned by other musicians — perhaps it's only the unique combination of the mind, lips, lungs and fingers of Brixham that can accomplish it, but we can only hope that he is only the first of many such musicians. His new music is sure to influence the arts and culture in a very profound way, not only here but in other countries as well, with only positive results.

 As of today Styg Brixham has irrevocably transformed music and if the members of the audience know what is good for them they will hold onto their ticket stubs. They will soon become wealthy.

In this world of ordinary people
Extraordinary people
I'm glad there is you

In this world of over-rated pleasures
Of under-rated treasures
I'm so glad there is you

I live to love, I love to live with you beside me
This role so new, I'll muddle through with you to guide me

In this world where many, many play at love
And hardly any stay in love
I'm glad there is you

More than ever, I'm glad there is you