On Friday, March 6th – amid the global Coronavirus panic – a sold-out crowd still gathered outside the flashing red ‘Fox’ sign awaiting the mystical bassist by the name of Stephen Bruner — known more commonly as Thundercat. There is always a moment of awe when entering the Fox Oakland; The building, which was built in the ‘20s, is breathtaking.
The lights went dark and a large, pink, six-stringed bass was the first thing anyone could see make its way on stage. Thundercat followed suit sporting pigtails and a red hoodie. It only took a couple of seconds to be in absolute awe of the way this man plays his instrument. It’s a glorious combination of Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, and Sun Ra but with a freshness that is unique to him. There was not one person in the audience not completely mesmerized by the rapidness of his fingers and the effortless passion seeping from the performance.
Bruner humbly turned the focus away from himself and instead made it a night of tributes. When playing a song called “Interstellar Love,” which is off his unreleased new album, he dedicated it to American Jazz Pianist Mccoy Tyner who had passed earlier that day. Later on, he lovingly said, “I finally got to see my cat this week. I love my cat. This is for my cat,” and began to play “A Fan’s Mail” which had the entire audience meowing in the most literal sense. At the end of the night, he placed his hand on his chest and spoke on the death of Mac Miller who he was close friends and collaborators with. Before playing “Them Changes” he said “I’m going to play this song because it was Mac’s favorite. I remember playing it at a show once and seeing him get down to it backstage.”
The night ended and there was a contagious feeling of gratitude that we were all able to be there, able to leave all anxiety and worries at the door, and witness a spectacularly talented musician.
Article by Daniella Ivanir
Photos by Tovah Popilsky