Be Yourself - Everyone Else in Taken

Not being one who ordinarily quotes Oscar Wilde (or, for that fact, Oscar The Grouch), I felt this title (a quote from Wilde) would work after listening to Jason Crane interview trumpeter-composer-educator John D'Earth on the most recent edition of "The Jazz Session." I highly recommend you click on the link on the top right of this post - it's a freewheeling conversation that touches on many aspects of the life of a modern musician.  What stands out most in their give-and-take is the passion that Mr. D'Earth displays when he talks about music, about teaching, about being a member of a community. As listeners, music fans are always looking for that sense of passion in their favorite (or undiscovered) musicians and are usually excited when the music goes in different directions (not everyone, of course - nostalgia "sells".) To hear music of John D'Earth, go to thompsondearth.com/music.html.

There's plenty of passionate music in the 15 performances that NPR (along with the fine folks at WBGO-FM and WGBH-FM) presented Saturday and Sunday from the 2012 Newport Jazz Festival.  No, they did not get to every stage but what they did get to is very exciting and worth your time.  From the gentle conversations of violinist Jenny Scheinman and guitarist Bill Frisell to the wonder-filled interactions of drummer Jack DeJohnette and his All-Star Band (guitarist Lionel Loueke, pianists Jason Moran and George Colligan, bassist Christian McBride and others) to the hip-shaking and soul-stirring sounds of the 3 Cohens, you will find music that makes you glad to be alive.  And, in this time of uncertainty, brutality and political spite, music can be quite a salve.

Go to www.npr.org/series/newport-jazz-festival/ to listen and, in many instances, download this bountiful harvest of modern sounds. Then, say "thank you" to the people who generously gave their time and money to bring us the Festival.