This is Bass Man (another highly imaginative name). Most thursdays you can find him on the steps of this property playing an unplugged bass to music he is listening to on his headphones or on a tablet. Or sometimes he is just playing along to a song in his head.
He is always deeply focussed with his eyes closed and rarely looks up when “playing”. It is difficult to tell if he can actually play because you cannot hear him. And yet skill set aside, he is extremely dedicated as is out there almost every week.
I don’t actually know if he lives there or not as have never seen him come in or out. He is just on the stoop, using it as a stage. He seems to be really enjoying himself. Everyone walking past watches him with the same fascination as you get the sense, in his own mind, he is performing to a devoted audience of thousands.
I confess I have never spoken to him (yes, I’m shy) but have heard him speak and he talks with an incredibly high almost cartoon like voice and is mostly subdued until he interacts with people then becomes very animated.
He is another great character than inhabits this neighbourhood and the world is a better place for him in it.
Maybe one day I’ll talk to him and find out what his story is. If I do I’ll let you know. In the meantime we can but wonder..which is maybe better.
