This is the amazing moment a retired music teacher was filmed entertaining train passengers by playing an impromptu gig on his saxophone.
Brendan Duffy, 67, boarded the last train from Leeds to Harrogate on Friday and was asked by the other commuters to ‘play a tune’ after they spotted his instrument case.
The former arts teacher duly obliged and started a rendition of Tequilla by the Champs and the Pink Panther Theme, causing scenes of jubilation up and down the carriages.
His performance was well-received by the other travellers, which included a hen do, who can be seen singing and dancing to the songs, with some ending up standing on their seats.
The recording has gone viral after it was posted on social media and has already gained more than 100,000 views on TikTok.
When asked why he decided to play for the passengers, Mr Duffy said: ‘I like seeing people happy and I think I made them even more happy on the way home.’
Brendan Duffy (standing) boarded the last train from Leeds to Harrogate on Friday and was asked by the other commuters to ‘play a tune’ after they spotted his instrument case
The former arts teacher duly obliged and started a rendition of Tequilla by the Champs and the Pink Panther Theme
The 67-year-old said he ‘liked seeing people happy’ after his performance had gone viral on social media
Mr Duffy had boarded the train that evening to return to his home in Headingley and chose to sit in a packed carriage, which included a hen party.
He told BBC News: ‘I jumped on the train, it was quite lively. I was carrying my saxophone case. I put it on the top shelf so everyone knew it was a musical instrument.
‘Then they were saying ‘you must play a tune. You’ve got to play its our hen do. We’re so happy.’
The saxophonist’s performance was unfortunately limited to just two songs, as he noticed the train was pulling into his station stop.
Mr Duffy added: ‘It’s all about making people happy and myself as a musician, you could just feel the vibes on the train. Everyone was going crazy.
‘It was infectious. I thought, I’ve got to play this saxophone, but i also thought, I’ve got to get off the train. I could have played all the way to Harrogate or York but I don’t live there. I live in Headingley.’
Mr Duffy’s performance was well-received by the other travellers, who can be seen singing and dancing to the songs, with some ending up dancing on their seats
The recording of the performance has been posted on TikTok and viewed more than 100,000 times
Mr Duffy’s new found internet fame has led to a number of people heaping praise on the musician. Many within the Yorkshire region recognised him as their music teacher from primary school.
One person wrote: ‘Wow! Mr Duffy! Conductor of orchestra at Tinshill Middle School music centre I went to. Made it great fun.’
Another said: ‘Amazing to see him. I haven’t seen him since he taught me clarinet 17 years ago at Mount St Mary’s. Great memories.’
A third added: ‘He was my music teacher in primary school at Holy Rosary and St Anne’s he was the best.’
Asked if he would every play for a train audience again, Mr Duffy said: ‘Yeah, I’ll do it again. It’s an amazing experience. I can’t wait for the next train journey.’
