Posted on July 22, 2022

“Darling, where have you been all my life?” are the lyrics to a song by Arthur Alexander.

Since I’ve lived overseas, I’ve felt this way multiple times—while exploring new cities, tasting different foods, and watching the sun rise across time zones.

Last night, after the sun set, I felt this way again as I entered a classy new place, the Hyatt Restaurant Jazz Club in Doha, Qatar.

Wearing a black top and high-waisted, peach-colored pants, I walked into the small room with my friend, who wore a black-and-white striped shirt and a cross necklace.

A server wearing a mask welcomed us and walked us to a round glass table with a perfect view of the stage.

With COVID cases rising in Qatar, masks are required in all public places.

But as the music rang out and filled all spaces of the room, I didn’t feel as though we were living in pandemic times.

I could feel the sounds of the jazz music in my bones as I listened to the live band that included five people of various nationalities and with musical talent that should not be confined to that room.

The main female singer, wearing a high ponytail and a two-piece, mustard-colored outfit, danced with ease as she sang “I Will Survive,” “Moves Like Jagger,” and “This is How We Do It.”

“I run to most of these songs,” I said to my friend.

“This is what gets you through the 5Ks?” he asked, laughing.

For the next couple hours, the band played while we snacked on BBQ chicken wings and sweet potato fries.

For all the chaos that exists at home and abroad, the experience of being immersed in the music in a room full of strangers from all corners of the world was a reminder that we can still come together and put our differences aside—if only for a night of jazz.