Those of you who know me well know that the past two years have not been the best for me...Every once in a while, true enlightenment and inspiration can come from the depths of despair...Sometimes this revelation comes through introspection; other times with the able assistance of external voices...
Music, especially live jazz, occasionally provides such inspiration...
Being a jazz promoter and "fan", I've heard many different remarkable performances, by very talented individuals and groups. Very few reach the level of enlightenment. Perhaps it has to do with how I'm feeling at the beginning of the show; or perhaps more importantly how the individual performer is feeling. So much of a musicians' life and mood can be heard and felt in the music...clarity and honesty.
So much more than playing runs of notes...or singing words. Clarity and honesty...
Music that allows introspection...views into the soul...
There was just such a concert last Wednesday night. Eddie Bayard's Quartet was holding court at The Redmoor (formerly Jaspers Music Complex). It was an elegantly simple set: two tenor saxophones, bass and drums. Deceptive in its simplicity, but exceedingly complex musically.
There is no one on the planet more technically gifted than Bayard on the tenor; and yet his playing revealed more of a sense of an urgent impassioned calmness; never hurried but direct and revealing.
The type of music that allows for the search for answers within to difficult, insurmountable questions. For me, this show was a needed respite from an uncompromising and unforgiving world...
The other members of the group; Dudley Owens on tenor, Nate Smith on bass, and Anthony Lee on drums, maintained the appropriate amount of respect and insight for the direction and feel of the music....
Music can be quite entertaining at times; a great comfort at other times. Music affects everyone differently; what I have described was my emotions on this night from my point of reference or view. This particular show assisted me in my understanding of some terribly difficult questions. Others most likely at the show responded differently...
There were many other people at the show; all with varied responses to the music. It was gratifying to see some of the diversity of opinions and outlooks enjoying the music in their own way...
For some, perhaps rock, classical, hip hop, or country can provide that type of window to the soul...my conduit is jazz. Given my current state of blues...Wednesday night was an oasis in an otherwise somber desert... giving able assistance to personal introspection...
Maybe, just maybe...some light at the end of a very long tunnel...
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