Passing the Torch

My brother and I have been bonded by music our whole lives. Our passion transcends genre. I can't easily recall more than a handful of groups or solo artists over whom we've differed musically. If not for his influence, it would have taken me longer to discover Thelonious Monk's quirky music and Tom Waits could have passed me by. Also, my dives into King Crimson, Santana, and Steely Dan would likely have remained shallow if not for his prodding.   

Now he has delivered to me an immense young talent who I can envision filling the space left by Ella Fitzgerald - Samara Joy. And here's a cool part of this brief musical story. Although he was the one who made sure I'd be exposed to her, it was my brother's son, my oldest nephew, who discovered Joy in the first place, and then turned his father onto her. It gets better.

Both my nephews are fine musicians, no surprise given my brother's relaxed and natural musicianship and the stereo that was rarely silent as they grew up. The oldest is now a music teacher and during the years I taught guitar to children new to the instrument, the younger was - without question - my most innately talented student. The two of them played together - piano, guitar, vocals - for their cousin's wedding ceremony in 2019. Right? Now the best part.

Last night, as the four of us sat enraptured watching Samara Joy's show at the Count Basie Theatre, I felt lucky. Lucky to share this passion with these three people I love dearly. Lucky to know that each of them understood the musical riches we were experiencing together. Lucky to hear each of us, in turn, laughing when either Joy or one of the seven extraordinary musicians supporting her pulled off a feat of super-human musicianship.  Most of all, lucky how we will pass the musical torch to one another for as long as we live.    

p.s. You owe it to yourself to sample Samara Joy's magic. Begin by checking out the You-Tube video below.

Samara Joy - Can't Get Out Of This Mood (Official Studio Video)