A drummer (without shame) sent me a sermon:

Drummers, story apparently, need salvation and a savior.

2015 ISB CONVENTION ….

This week marks an awareness of my inadequacies.  Perhaps all musicians go through feeling as I do.  It seems there is so much to learn, so much I am not accomplishing in the moment of performance, or even in daily practice.

I am aware that the little things that seemed impossible, only moments ago, will usually proceed to a better level of competency as the future becomes the present. — provided I expend time working on and confronting the failure.

Failure, it seems, must be the goal to strive for every day.  The more failure and the bigger the failures, the more I have to work on and, in the course of so doing, the better I shall become. That is a difficult mind-set to maintain.  My ego tells me that failure reflects on my inadequacy and value as a human being. However, there’s another part of “self” — the objective, above the noise of the crowd part — that tells me, what I’m experiencing is the only way to get to what I’m trying to achieve:  being an accomplished bassist!

I’d have to ask:  Does the need to practice ever stop?  I guess it depends on what one means by “practice.”  Of one thing I’m certain: I’m going to go fail now, once more.

The interesting phenomena is how we connect with our unseen realities.  I commend to you Michael Klinghoffer’s blogging on PERFECTION!

PRACTICE WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW OR CAN’T PLAY.

I should have thought of that before.

And, for a little musician’s humor:

A home on the San Francisco Bay in East Palo Alto, CA.  There’s more to this place than the violence you’ve read or heard about. But, I’m not concerned that public perception.

A place and refuge from Bay Area traffic!

Some who read or use my in-house server may wonder what am I doing in this World? Hell if I know!  All I know is that I was born and have been defined by humanity as “African-american.”  Like, who isn’t, if born and living on the American content?

It appears that I was actually brought into this existence to be a musician, whether or not that was anyone’s intention except mine. I was 16 years old when I felt that being a musician is my destiny in this incarnation. And, apparently, at almost 70 years of age I have actually arrived.

First appreciation goes to my father who enabled me to experience Lionel Hampton and, also, to every musician,  drummer (I’m so amazed and happy that I was able to actually play with Eddie Marshall before he passed) and every bassist that’s made me feel good about being. There’re a bunch including Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Buster Williams, Richard Davis … you know or should or will know the music and names.

Today, John Patitucci through ArtistWorks is the launching pad from which I have been unleashed on the path .  I can’t describe why simply being with him, virtually, has launched and freed me to be.  Suffice to say, I know I can do it — “be” an excellent bassist and consistently perform at a professional level. That, apparently, is what I have been born to be.

A special thanks also to Steve Swan, who sold me my bass 6 years ago.  See my Tributes to Loved for a more complete list, including ISB!

I think I’ll get a  new bass, one that I can take wherever I go, as I don’t plan on going anywhere without one ever again in my life, except to the crematorium.  I believe Lemur music has one that I think, finally, answers my question:

Let’s have a great day!

Peace,

C

Pianist and friend Syd William invited me to see a “must experience” play in Berkeley, CA.  COPS AND ROBBERS.   The Muse is social!  Art is life!!!

The play is an historic work of art that touches the reality and consequences of slavery. It speaks the truth of the time in which we dwell, as citizens and residents of the United States of America. It calls each of us to act and understand the essence of being human beings, in a world in which we exist to see, learn and love.

The power of the Muse drives the tides of social evolution through the turbulent and murky waters of racism. And, the play, itself, and the artists manifest not only the questions, but the answer for revolutionary social change.

I believe Cops and Robbers in nothing less than a historical milestone that will stand as the clarion call that redefines who and what we of African descent truly have been, are and will be in the history of humankind.

I highly recommend you experience it, as soon as you can.

Jinho “The Piper” Ferreira’s Cops and Robbers 

A few days ago, ISB sent an E-mail advertisting ArtistWorks. Well, having the ability to get master lessons from John Patitucci while at home (which is mostly filled with music instruments and audio equipment) was much too much to pass up.

I immediately began lessons at the “basic” learning level.  I feel, being self-taught, that there might just be some small details that I’ve missed in laying a foundation.  Sure enough, one video of John Playing has just opened the book of understanding and performing.  So, I’m moving forward on this path.

The proof will be in the pudding, as it were.  Let’s see if this thing will enable me to engage warp drive to jump to warp speed.

Yesterday, the ISB sent a note of sadness and condolence regarding Charlie Haden.

Charlie is a bassist with whom I’ve identified for so many years.  His collaboration, specifically with Keith Jarrett, occurred at a moment in time, around 1974 (+ 40 years ago) when I had to make a decision:  To be a bassist or a husband and father?  That was the question.  I chose the latter at that time, thinking, “Why else did I marry?”  Love makes you do strange things!

Fourteen years ago, I again had the choice before me as a widower, and I play as often as possible.  Thus, it is that upon being informed of Charlie’s death I again listened to the work done that was so inspirational around 1974.

Fort YAWUH is a recording  that rings my bell at so many levels, both for Keith’s piano playing  — including all of the other guys playing with him — and, or course,  Charlie Haden.

Find and listen to Fort Yawuh.  I’ve got the vinyl, but I’ll not take time to load it.  Last night I listened again.  YouTube has a version (poor sound quality, but definitely worth the audition).  I highly recommend it.

Rest and be Alive in the Vibes, Charlie.  They’re all good.