A blast from the past

 

It was 50 years ago in 1973 that I started drum set lessons and playing percussion in my high school concert band. I started thinking back to this time when my church where I play djembe in the band told me they are thinking of purchasing an electronic drum set for me to play. Above in the picture, is my first music book I worked with and would you believe it is still in print? Originally published in 1968, you can see by the cover the hippy and mod influence from that era. I bought it online and received it last week. Wow! How fun it is to look back on those old coordination drills I did. 

In 1975  my teacher encouraged me join the Percussive Arts Society and participate in an event called the “Un-Contest.” For this I played a drum set solo called, “Wipe In” (a play on the famous solo “Wipe Out.”) . I even ended up winning an award for my performance of this!  However, it was all such a long time ago, I don’t remember many of the details. For years though, I did google searches for this drum solo and never found anything until last week it came up in a YouTube tutorial for this solo. It was notated that this solo was from a book “Drum Set Music” by Roy Burns and Saul Feldstein published in 1971. It turns out this book is still in print too! So I will receive it soon in the mail. I cannot wait!! 

All if this is so inspiring for me. The other day I decided to join the Percussive Arts Society again and as a member, I have access to the archives of old Percussive Notes publication they had going back to 1969. Yesterday I found the write up about the Un-Contest event I was in but it did not go into detail. However, I did find a funny article from a drum teacher who said that the cassette tape recorder has “revolutionized his teaching!” He went on to say that students often forgot the details of their lessons and now, thanks to the newest technology of cassette tapes and recorders, they can be recorded for the student. I thought that was amazing to think that the cassette was considered cutting edge back then! To think I lived though this time? ! Am I that old? :) 

So in the long run, I may not have become a famous or virtuoso musician but I certainly have had a lot of fun over these many years. I think it was Kurt Vonnegut who said, “Go into the arts. It may not be the best way to make a good living but it is the best way to make a good life. “ Enough said! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

February is here!

 

Hello everyone! February's presence brings the promise of longer days and getting closer to spring! The other day I saw some crocuses coming up. That's a bit early but still a positive sign  I will gladly take note of. 

I wanted to share a story with you about  an experience I had playing music for patients at the hospital. Our music team got a request to play for a patient who has been in the hospital since last summer. (that's a very long time!) So, I went up there and introduced myself to the patient and spouse and they were happy to see me with my guitar in hand. Since it was a Sunday afternoon, I thought I'd start off by playing a favorite gospel tune in this region, "I'll Fly Away." 

Soon I heard singing from behind me - it was the nurse! He has sung with me before and his beautiful voice really delights all who hear him. Then the patient and spouse began to sing along too and a joyous feeling rang out. We then did, "This Little Light of Mine, " "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and others.  I could see this really brought  needed joy to the patient and family. 

Above is a picture of the Valentine tree in the Volunteer office at the hospital. I wish you a happy Valentines' day and a good new start of a new month! Thanks for stopping by!

A New Year is upon us!

 Hello everyone and Happy New Year! I like the sound of 2023. That is because number 23 is my favorite number.

I'd say 2022 was a pretty good year.  Something I loved that happened is that I started playing djembe in a church band and I'm loving it! As some of you know, my musical training began as a drummer and percussion player in my high school band. I did not take up the guitar until my senior year of high school.  

Over the years, the guitar became my main instrument but at times my drums come back full force and I am always happy when that happens. There is no more joyous feeling than drumming! 

Over the summer I also got to visit some old high school friends in Chicago. I had not been there in many years (over 30 years) and I also made a visit to Nina Kraus' Brainvolts lab and participated in some CI (cochlear implant) research studies. That was fun! 

I also took a training course to learn how to become a Certified Interpretive Guide. CIGs work in museums, state parks, historical sites as tour guides. I have yet to do anything with this training but I think 2023 might be the year for it! 

I also started playing percussion in a local jazz band called the Flashbacks and that's been fun too. 

I just wanted to say hello and wish everyone a Happy New Year!!! 

The above picture was taken at a nursing home that closed its doors this past year after 40 years of service. The hat was made by a friend where the proceeds went toward helping the Ukraine people during this war. 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Hi everyone! Happy November to you all! It is hard to believe that this year is passing so quickly. I am really enjoying the colors of autumn and the cooler temps. 

As always, I continue to enjoy my work as a musician-in-residence at UVA hospital. There have been so many memorable moments but I will tell you about one of them. 

I recently re-learned a piece I used to play many years ago and it was like having an old friend back. It is "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Bach. The arrangement is by David Qualey  and it is very beautiful ! I get a lot of very positive responses from the staff at the hospital as well as by the patients. 

One particular moment stands out with this piece for me. I was up playing in the PICU (pediatrics ICU) and playing for a baby and his parents. I was sitting right outside the doorway and at one point, the mother picked up her son and came over to me and was gesturing (she did not speak English) to me and my guitar and to her son. She was delighted to have me there and I played some lullabies and other pieces. Later, she put him back in the bed and I continued playing. For my last piece, I chose, "Jesu" and then the father picked up his son and came over to me and was rocking his baby son along to the music. They both looked happy and peaceful and to be really enjoying the music. That's how good this piece is!  When I finished, the mother and father smiled and waved goodbye. 

As a music practitioner, it is not about a performance but about letting the power of music find it's way into the heart and soul of those who are listening. A hospital setting is a good place to really listen because most of the sounds are not pleasing. (machines, alarms, etc) So when there is beautiful music introduced in the room, it fills the environment with such a peace that is much needed. 

I also recently learned the song, "Oh My Love" by John Lennon. It's a beautiful song from his "Imagine" album.  

I am also enjoying the peace and beauty of autumn here in Virginia. The above picture was taken on one of my daily walks in my neighborhood. I hope you are all enjoying the change of seasons. May it bring you comfort that seasonal change is one thing we can count on. 

New season, new rhythms

 

This September I will be joining a jazz band here in town called the Flashbacks. We play all kinds of jazz music but also music from the band Chicago and my favorite TV theme songs, "Hawaii 5-0" and "Pink Panther" to name a couple.   I will be playing Latin hand drumming on Conga and bongos and probably using my new African djembe too. I'm pretty excited about this!

This year marks 50 years since I started drumming at the age of 13. I got a drum set and learned rock and roll and played percussion in my high school concert band. Over the years, drumming took me in new directions . I played tabla (Indian Kirtan chanting music) Bodhran (Irish music) and learned a little drum line routine one year on my snare drum. 

In addition, I play percussion in my church (Unity) band each Sunday. The picture above is of my friend Whit who made me a new djembe. It is small in size but powerful in sound. It is amazing to play it! 

To me, having new rhythms to learn and play is very symbolic of new life's rhythms coming into my life. I wonder where they will take me? It is a mystery but a joy to be on this journey. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Songs of Freedom

 

Yesterday was the 4th of July here in America. Many of us did not feel like celebrating, given all of the recent events going on in our country (abortion rights taken away, mass shootings,  insurrection trials, etc) Even so, I love the holiday to honor veterans and those who have served our country.  For this reason, I volunteered to sing at a local nursing home to bring some joy to those who have limited mobility and resources to go out and celebrate. 

I told some holiday jokes:

Q: why are there no knock knock jokes about the 4th of July? 

A: Because freedom rings. 

Q: What was George Washington's favorite tree?

A: The infantry

Q: Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?  

A: At the bottom of the page

I also did a lot of old spirituals, freedom songs, songs of the civil rights movement, old Motown and pop songs from the 60s-70s.   My audience was largely African American and so I sang all songs from black heritage. Quite a wealth of great songs like:

"What a Wonderful World", "People Get Ready," "We Shall Not Be Moved," "My Girl,' "Stand By Me", "Lean on Me," etc. It was a lot of fun.  I love how music brings people together. Many of the songs I sang were songs I grew up with in Chicago. I am fortunate to have grown up in a diverse, multi ethnic culture. 

Quite an uplifting gig it was for me. I'm glad you stopped by to read about it. Above is a picture from the gig where I am showing off my 4th of July t-shirt. 

Happy July, everyone! 

Vintage playlists of life

 

When I was a child, I spent my dollar allowance at Woolworth.  My favorite thing to buy was a stack of ten 45 records in a package. They had a hit single on top and the rest were unknown bands and songs. I loved going home and listening to all of them and marveling at the new sounds I found. Some people collected shells from the beach, I collected sounds.  It would be many more years I would become a musician and a radio DJ and share my sounds with others. 

Listening to records was a big thing for me. When I was old enough to buy albums, I would buy about 5 at a time. At one point, I had a collection of nearly 1,000 albums of all genres spanning from folk, reggae, classical, Indian, classical guitar, movie soundtracks, progressive rock, hard rock, traditional Irish,  cajun, etc.   Sometimes when friends came over, they would choose an album I didn't even remember having! 

Something about the album made it so that it was more conducive to listening to the whole thing at one time.  The songs were like different stories with different colors and characters in a play. I loved the varying dynamics from tender softness to outright loud and expressive. 

Who remembers sitting with friends and listening to records? I had a friend who would call me and say, "I just got the newest Pink Floyd album" and I'd say, "I'll be right over." And we would listen to it over and over again. 

I miss those days when listening to music was such an immersive experience. I have to admit that listening to digital streamed music has not been the same for me. Although I do like things like Spotify and Pandora that will chose music for you that is matched with other artists and genres you like, But I find I don't listen to music nearly as much as I used to. But I play music a lot! So, that makes up for it. 

This memory came up because I recently bought a bundle of 35 songs for solo guitar of pop arrangements by Lex Von Sumayo . I knew many of the songs but some of them were songs I would likely not have chosen to learn. But I likened it to the days of getting that stack of unknown 45s and listening. It's fun to explore music and see where it takes you. 

who remembers 45s? Do you miss albums? I miss the big album cover art and the physical feeling of holding it in my hand and reading the lyrics along while listening. Those where the days, my friends! :)