Music plays an integral part in my decade-long profession as a chauffeur. It keeps me focused when I drive, gives me and my passengers enjoyment and sometimes even helps me get a tip.
Passenger’s Choice
When passengers get into my vehicle, I ask if they are comfortable. Then I give them a choice of silence, news or music. They usually say, “Since you’re driving, you decide.” I like getting that answer.
All the music I play in my vehicle has been legally purchased and downloaded onto my phone from Apple Tunes. I have quite a music selection collection!
My Old Standby
I offer most of my passengers my old standby of “The 50 Most Essential Relaxing Classics in the Universe.” This collection of classical music consists of “Adagio For Strings,” by Samuel Barber, “Air on a String” by Johan Sebastian Bach, “Gymnopedie” by Erik Satie, various horn conciertos by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “Moonlight Sonata” by Ludwig van Beethoven, “Morning” by Felix Mendelssohn and “The Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi.
The Spa Effect
The music I choose often times depends on my mood. Sometimes, I want a “Totally Chill” driving experience, playing music you might hear when being given a massage. This includes pianists like Michael Jones (Pianoscapes, Seascapes, Sunscapes), Jeff Victor (Peaceful Piano, Reflection), and Michael Whelan (My Secret Heart).
One artist who gives the true Spa Effect is Radhika Miller. Her album, “Gems of Grace,” is beautiful.
Relaxing guitar performers include Gabriel Lee (Impressions, Seasons) and Pat Metheny (Offramp, Letter From Home, Secret Story and Still Life Talking).
After a trip home from Newark Airport while I was playing music from the guitarist Earl Klugh, a female passenger told me his album “Late Night Guitar” was “Achingly Beautiful.”
Tip Time
Often at the end of a ride, a passenger will hand me a Lincoln, Hamilton or a Jackson bill and say, “I really liked the ‘Car Tunes’ that you played on our way home. It made the trip so much more enjoyable.”
One passenger, who I picked up a second time, greeted me by saying, “You’re the music man!” He then clarified by saying the last time I drove him, I played various albums from the solo pianist George Winston (Autumn, December, Forest, Summer and Winter Into Spring).
He said he and his wife requested me and would request me in the future because of the musical selection I played. That made me happy.
Surprising Answer
Once I drove a female passenger and asked her if she would like me to play classical music on her ride home from the airport. Her answer surprised me. She said: “No, thank you. I detest all classical music because my mother forced me to play classical piano as a young child and I hated it, it scarred me for life.”
We drove to her home in silence.
Play To Your Audience
Sometimes, I get to drive four or five high school students from their homes in Bergen County, NJ to their high school in Hartsdale, NY or pick them up at the high school and drive them home. I can be a little more free and creative with my music selections. I’ll play the greatest hits from America and Chicago for some “soft rock.” I’ll also play jazz from saxophonist Paul Taylor (Hypnotic, Nightlife, On The Horn, Pleasure Seeker, Under Cover) and the vibraphonist player Milt Jackson (Sunflower).
The moral of this Street Story is to enjoy the ride with eclectic, beautiful music that you enjoy, if your passengers don’t mind. Sometimes, your passengers will actually reward your good taste with a tip.
