The most gratifying thing about being asked to reprise one of the music courses I first began doing in 2014 is just that - being asked. It's additionally satisfying because each time I reprise one, my delivery of the content gets tighter. And from a mercenary viewpoint, each reprise brings me a bit closer to minimum wage, given the inordinate amount of time I devote when developing these courses.
It's been several years since I last had the opportunity to reprise Jazz 101 (and a Bit Beyond), one of my earliest creations and a class of which I'm particularly proud. It's such a gas watching participants get ignited when I introduce them to a new artist or a fresh interpretation of a song. Consequently, I'm really pleased I'll be reprising this specific course late this year because my tweaks to this one will reflect some recent discoveries I've made.
Reflections from the Bell Curve: Passing the Torch
After listening to the YouTube clip of Samara Joy imbedded in the post above, I have a favor to ask. If you've run across a newcomer to the jazz scene - i.e., a singer or instrumentalist who has broken through within the last five years - and you think that artist is in Joy's league and could've escaped my attention, please share that name with me, either in a comment here or offline. My search for jewels like Joy is never-ending.
Thanks in advance.
Hey Pat. Let me start this comment by saying 'JAZZ!!!!" I absolutely love Jazz. In most forms. And, we've spoken about Samara Joy previously. What an absolute treasure to listen to her. Words fails me.
ReplyDeleteMight I also add, for your consideration, Gregory Porter, Cecile McLoren Salvant (As you know, I love theater. Ms. Salvant has a voice made for theater), Diana Krall, Lizz Wright (Beautiful Blues singer). Jazz guitarists: Emily Remier, Mimi Fox, Jocelyn Gould. Some have been around for more than 5 years but I am very thankful I was introduced to them and their music. And very thankful that their music is available on You Tube, Apple Music, downloads, etc. Not surprisingly there are so many others , that you would need a full semester, or more, to even begin to touch the surface. I am very exited for when you offer this class. I will be there front and center.
Be well,
Bob
Bob; JAZZ!!! indeed. Thanks for the comment, your enthusiasm and recommendations, and most significantly, your continued support of my music programs. Knowing you'll be there energizes me.
DeletePat--great topic.
ReplyDeleteIn 2024 I picked up not a writing habit, but a publishing habit, meaning--I would put my writing out there, on Substack, in my case.
For some reason I'm thinking of my yoga practices--especially "dinacharya" which, in Sanskrit, loosely translates to "daily routine".
In that vein I have added "writing to have it show up somewhere," as a new step for me. Which led to the second part--where I have to add a practice of "Aparigraha" or "non-grasping" in terms of the life my piece takes after I hit publish. (I linked the piece--an ode to my one subscriber, above)
I have a small but lively group who read my pieces, and I wonder at them because a few of them somehow came on their own.
And no exaggeration--I love them.
Hey Regina; Happened to be responding to other comments when yours popped up on this post. Appears you may have been reading my last two at the same time because this comment feels more connected to my more recent one entitled "From a Committed....". That aside, I appreciate the time you put into responding here and I'm pleased to learn about "Aparigraha", which will probably remain a work-in-progress for me for the rest of my days. And oh how I get "loving" those people who just "showed up" on your Substack. On the infrequent occasion when an anonymous person comments on my blog, I get so energized. And I'm equally grateful for the people who know me - like you - who read and occasionally comment. l never take those people for granted, a big part of my message in my most recent post.
Delete