Never too old for harmony in streets

A few minutes after 1 p.m., Dwight Aden finished his hourlong saxophone debut in Spokane Street Music Week, which kicked off Monday scattered over downtown city sidewalks.

He walked toward me and placed his vintage sax case on one of the tables outside the Starbucks on Main Avenue.

“I’m blowed out,” said Aden.

Who can blame him?

At 91, Aden holds the distinction of being the oldest performer ever to join the ranks of my Spokane Street Music minstrels.

Come down and lend us an ear. We are playing during the noon hour each day this week. Every nickel tossed into our red collection buckets goes to Second Harvest food bank.

But getting back to Aden. He holds another place in local history as the oldest living former Spokane Indians baseball player.

Aden played centerfield for the Indians from 1938 to 1942. He had a lifetime batting average of more than .300. He went 31/2 seasons before he dropped his first fly ball. “I got 19 triples one year,” he told me.

He can still swing a sax, too. Aden plays the same silver alto he learned on as an eighth-grader.

These days Aden toots his horn to entertain residents at the retirement center he calls home and for family members around the campfire at Loon Lake. “I play for them and my amazement,” he said.

Aden’s repertoire is filled with popular songs from his youth. And, yes, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is on the list.

This is the fourth annual Spokane Street Music Week. I began this event as a solo venture to uplift the Lilac City’s sour state of street music.

Honestly. Go to downtown Seattle and look around. The place is festering with drummers, horn players and dancers. I’ll bet even the crack dealers are musical.

Downtown Spokane is a different tune. About the only thing you can tap your toes to are jackhammers transforming defunct retail space into condos I’ll never be able to afford.

Spokane Street Music Week was a way to give the city a vibe transfusion. And more and more musicians are taking part. Monday drew 26 players, a record one-day turnout.

There was Sam Thomas, a 17-year-old accordion whiz. There were Keleren and Michael Millham. Their duo Sidhe is a music scene mainstay.

There were bluegrass players galore. My pal Jim Lyons came decked out in a psychedelic tie-dyed outfit that would raise Jerry Garcia from the actual dead.

I’m beginning to believe that one day my dream could be achieved. Spokane Street Music Week really could become the city’s biggest outdoor event without portable toilets.

Who wouldn’t feel encouraged? Unlike years past, nobody flipped me off while I was playing my guitar, or tossed a hateful critique into my money bucket.

I call this progress, people.

I was even treated with respect at Monday night’s Spokane City Council meeting. Sort of.

I was invited into the abscesses of local government to receive a proclamation from Mayor Dennis Hession. He declared June 12-16 as Spokane Street Music Week.

Dave Cebert and Joe Brasch – my buddies from Cue11 entertainment and recording – came to City Hall to protect my back.

Good thing. After the proclamation was bestowed, Councilman Brad Stark generously asked if I’d hang around. He said something about me participating in a live demonstration that involved force, Tasers and these grim-faced police brass who were sitting behind me.

Fortunately I made it out with my skin. Because of that you’ll be able to see me twanging my guitar all week outside Starbucks. After that I’ll be playing suspect on the Cops Cage Match Circuit.

Think of the money that will raise.