The Bagpiper of North Brooklyn
On Tuesday night, walking near Leonard Street and Manhattan Avenue, I heard a harsh, melodious sound, and turned to see, through the rain, a lone bagpiper blasting away. Jim Basil, a local resident, said he practices three or four times a week in various neighborhood spots to prepare for bagpipe competitions held across the East Coast. Basil first heard the instrument at his grandfather’s funeral when he was 14, and knew then that he wanted to learn to play.
Two cyclists stopped to listen, and a man walked his dog straight to the source of the music, with the pet moving briskly, head up, like a hotel concierge crossing the lobby to greet a welcome guest. After they had passed, Basil headed for the handball court at the northern end of the park, and began playing and pacing carefully along the median cement wall.
Practicing without cover from the rain, both Basil and his pipes were wet, but he assured me that he and his instrument were fine. “It’s always raining in Scotland,” he said.
Jim is a fantastic bag pipe player! He is very talented and I’m glad to see a lovely little story about him in this paper.
my nephew and i couldn’t be any prouder of him. I hope that jim will play on forever!
Thank you for writing about him cause he deserves it!!!!!
bagpipes sound OK in context – like when they are being played during a parade or sadly a funeral. Otherwise the sound of the pipes is just noise…and not a freindly sound to hear for the residents of Jims neighborhood. Im sure Jim is a great piper, but he should have some consideration for his neighbors. No one wants to be rude and tell him to get lost… but what hes doing is extremely rude. Unforunatley the pipes are VERY very loud. Jim should rent a studio space or soundproof the walls of his house/apt and practice inside and show some respect to his neighbors. If Jim were a floutist…well, thats another story.
Sorry Karen but the people have spoken, Jim rules! And I got news for you, he ain’t going anywhere!!!
Jim Basil is a bagpipe GOD!!