Presidents, Protests, & Music

In my lifetime, there have been 17 Inauguration Days plus two swearings-in (one after the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the other after the resignation of Richard M. Nixon).  These special days are often filled with excitement, the prospect of change, the hope of unity in an often-divided country, and a sigh of relief from many that our democratic process continues to work after two-plus centuries.

Then, there is "politics", a word that, for some, is a epithet for something unseemly and obscene. If one pays attention to the machinations of Washington politics, it can leave you with a sour taste in your mouth.  The press does its best (many would disagree with that statement) to let is know what's going on but there is so much happening at any moment. Yet, it is quite obvious these days that the United States is a divided country, that "conservative" and "liberal" as well as "party politics" is part of what looks like a big game, a game with obscene payouts for the lucky and agony for the losers (think of how healthcare is constantly tossed about in the House of Representatives and the Senate).

How artists look at this nation has, for me, always been a fascination.  From the populist anthems of Irving Berlin to the wide-eyed wonder of George Gershwin to the sly observations of Will Rogers to the dreams of Woody Guthrie to the inequalities reported by Billie Holiday to the satire of Randy Newman to the simmering anger of Nina Simone to the shouts of Public Enemy to the chest-thumping of Toby Keith to the clear-eyed visions of Gil Scott-Heron (and so many others), singers and songwriters speak to social issues by cutting to the emotional core of any situation. During the most recent Presidential election cycle, artists took a stand for or against the candidates with a ferocity one has not seen since 1968 and 1984 (also, the Bush years post 9/11/01 were filled with vitriol as well as unqualified praise).

President-elect Trump (who will be sworn-in just hours from when I am writing this) has certainly polarized this country (in many peoples eyes, President Obama did as well) but many reactions have bordered on the apocalyptic. At least, there was "hope" in the changes his predecessor spoke of but that has been replaced by fear, the fear of moving backwards, that the "great again America" being spoken of is one where women, minority groups, and immigrants will not be treated with the "equality" our Forefathers hoped for (dreamed of) when the United States was in its infancy.  Mobilization against the changes being sought has been swift (we'll wait and see how strong it is) and artist's reactions are beginning to emerge.

Five weeks after Election Day, saxophonist and composer Noah Preminger gathered the other members of his most recent Quartet - trumpeter Jason Palmer, bassist Kim Cass, and drummer Ian Froman - to record his musical reactions to the results. "Meditations on Freedom" (Dry Bridge Records) features melodies by Bob Dylan, Bruce Hornsby, George Harrison, and a particularly handsome reading of Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" plus  five originals.  Is this music a call to action, a wake-up call, a lament, a warning shot across the bow or just dreaming out loud?  One could answer "yes" to every part of that question but the album - released today (January 20) - is more than that.  It's a reminder that the musicians are citizens, that creative music is "political" more often than not, that the "freedoms" stitched into these performances are as vital as picket signs and fiery speeches, that the rhythms of these songs are built from the ground up; the formation of this quartet to play this music is really the creation of a community built on shared visions, on trust, on taking risks as musicians, on compromises built from honest discussion.  This is music also built on the belief that "We Shall Overcome", that this country has "overcome" in the past and will again in the future, that we as individuals and communities have the ability to pull ourselves up and face any challenge.  There is no question that the United States faces challenges within and without but also no question if we face these challenges together, the results should be better.

In a future post, I will explore the music one hears on "Meditations on Freedom", especially the original material that grows stronger in my ears on every time I listen. While the impetus for these songs and performances was a reflection on the elections, the album also serves as a call to action, a powerful reminder that we must be ever vigilant and protect the rights of all people who live here, work on our farms, in factories, in our cities, people who raise families and educate them, to all who suffer from illnesses, from poverty, from oppression; in other words, protect the rights of everyone not just a privileged group who can afford it.  It should come as no surprise that this music also has its roots in the "blues", music created out of oppression that spoke of the glory of freedom, music that is both simple and complex, that pushes individual boundaries yet speaks to our humanity.

For more information, go to www.noahpreminger.com.

Here's the Sam Cooke song:

Thanksgiving & Giving Thanks

As we get older, every Thanksgiving day seems to be more important, more special, and more fretful.  As Americans began to prepare their tables, warnings abound for travelers in this country and around the world.  More than ever, we want to protect those we love, our families, communities, educational institutions, and the environment.  There is not just a "physical" war being waged but most certainly a psychological one.  Technology has become quite the weapon - just the hint of an "attack" sends officials scrambling (as most if us believe it should) with the response from most of us to simply stay put.

But we can't.  Attacks happen at random and, yes, people get hurt and families get scarred which is exactly what the forces of terror want; put people on edge, stall the economy, make it harder to travel.
Terrorist attacks get the headlines but we cannot ignore the dangers in our own towns and cities.  We can not and should not ignore the issues of greed and inequality, of racism, sexism, bullying, of misunderstanding what we read and misstating our positions.

My family laughs when I write and say these things because, while they understand my need for peace, they also realize the myriad roadblocks in our paths.  I still have to believe it and still have to live it.  Otherwise, I can just pull the sheets back over my head and refuse to live.

Enjoy if you can, love because you must, practice "tikkun olam" (healing the world) wherever and whenever you can, and be part of the world in which you live (hard as that may be).

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One of the prettier recordings you'll encounter this year (and that's in a year of beautiful music) is "Shelter of Trees" (Kilde Records), the 3rd CD from bassist, composer and arranger Ike Sturm. Composed in honor of the 50 year tradition of jazz at St. Peter's Church in New York City (and the bassist's 10 years of service as the Music Director to the Jazz Ministry to it community), the music is a graceful collections of original melodies, recognizable prayers and new poems that celebrate renewal of the spirit and Sturm's deep faith.  Besides the leader on acoustic and electric basses, the ensemble includes 3 vocalists (Misty Ann Sturm, Chanda Rule, and Melissa Stylianou), pianist Fabian Almazan, alto saxophonist Loren Stillman, vibraphonist Chris Dingman, guitarist Jesse Lewis, and Jared Schonig (drums) plus marimba on 2 tracks by Zaneta Sykes and a children's choir of 4 voice on 1 track.  The arrangements often build from piano and guitar chords plus the hypnotic swirl of sounds from the vibes.  There is a powerful attraction in the quiet sections, one that puts the listener at ease, helping him or her to contemplate the infinite.  The lovely blend of the voices (it's really impressive how they pass the lead around) plus the counterpoint created by Stillman, Almazan, Dingman, and Lewis over the steady push of the rhythm section on pieces such as "Sanctus", "Rejoice" and "Turning Point" offers up a delightful soundscape.

saintpeters.org

The title track jumps out of the speakers on the strength of Schonig's powerful drumming and the forceful piano chords. After a lovely lead vocal, Stillman and Lewis play impassioned solos over the driving rhythm section.  The harmony in the vocals and the way Dingman wraps his phrases around those lines is quite impressive.

Another highlight is the tender "Family" which builds from acoustic guitar chords to include the occasional ringing high notes  from the vibes.  After the hushed vocal, Lewis steps out on electric guitar over the quiet percussion and vibes.  The songs fades on the guitars and vibraphone.

Yes, there are words on "Shelter of Trees" that are specific to the religion that the composer and his family practices but the message is most assuredly a universal one.  A generous, caring, community, whether religious or secular, can offer us solace in times of darkness purpose in times of madness.  The music of Ike Sturm, interpreted and performed by this excellent ensemble, should bring a sense of calm - even when the musicians turn up the heat (as they do on the closing track, "Psalm 23"), one is never left with a sense of foreboding or unease.  We can get through hard times on the power of our faith and our music.

For more information, go to www.ikesturm.com.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving 2010

Usually, this column is concerned with music, especially modern jazz.  The excitement of hearing a drummer push the beat, a saxophonist fly over the changes, or a guitarist go from low to high in a flurry of notes sets  my mind, body and heart abuzz.

Thankfully, that feeling has never disappeared for more than a day or 2 at a time.  The past 6 months, keeping this blog alive has not been easy what with the health issues of my wife (she's much better) and the search for new employment.  No, I'm not looking for a handout, for sympathy, for get-well cards - music is still a big part of my day but putting my thoughts onto the pages of this comfortable format has, understandably, taken a back seat to more pressing issues.

Yet, I am such a lucky person.  We live in a great town, are involved with a goodly number of communities within the city limits and are supported by and, in turn, support good people.  I continue to be impressed by the fine citizens who donate time, food, clothing and/or money to the needy, the homeless, the working poor and the scores of children who survive without one or both parents and live in less-than-comfortable surroundings.

After a rancorous election season, where millions upon millions of dollars were spent to win a  position that could be used for such good (and instead, is an invitation to the "rich man's club - great benefits and super retirement), the Thanksgiving holiday reminds us of the importance of family, of security, of the simple helping hand and what we can accomplish by listening to each other.

Enjoy this time if you can. Be thankful for your health. Play, dream, love, and live for peace.

Here's a treat from the new Randy Weston CD, "The Storyteller", courtesy of Motema Records and IODA Promonet.

Randy Weston
"African Sunrise" (mp3)
from "The Storyteller"
(Motema Music)

More On This Album

Music, Memory and Loss

This can be both a beautiful and wonderful time of year and the older we get the more the pendulum swings between the 2 sides.

On a personal level, 2009 was a tough year, especially with the death of several friends (including one very close to our entire family.  On an artistic level, this was a great year for music and certainly for the jazz I like to listen to.

Most of the time, I listen to new music, CDs I plan to review or others I've downloaded for fun.  Every once in a while, I dig into my collection for music I haven't checked out in a while.  Thanks to bassist Christian McBride's loving tribute to Ray Brown on jazz.com (read it here), I've dug out some of my recordings featuring the great bassist, including his duo with Duke Ellington ("This One's for Blanton" on Pablo) and Sonny Rollins' classic "Way Out West." Both wonderful recordings (the latter released in 1957) that still hold up.

This morning, I was reading poetry by Carl Sandburg, spurred on by several pieces on the upcoming Sam Sadigursky release "Words Project III." Drummer/composer Matt Wilson, like the poet a native of Illinois, named his debut CD as a leader after a line from one of Sandburg's pieces and has been working on a large-scale project using a selection of the poet's works. Wilson recorded his CD with the fine bassist Cecil McBee and his employer at the time (1998), saxophonist Dewey Redman (Larry Goldings adds keyboards on 3 tracks.)  Pulling out the Wilson CD, I had forgotten the beautiful trio version of "Body and Soul" and listened in rapt attention, especially moved by Redman's playing.

This experience made me ruminate on all the music that has really touched me over my lifetime (I've been aware of my love for and need of music for over 55 years) and, believe me, I'd be hardpressed to create a list of the artists. What makes us return time and time again to our favorite tracks?  Certainly, the familiarity of the melody or the words and the memory of where or when we first heard the music.  Even though we know what's coming, there's that tingle, that thrill (i.e., the opening chords of "Hard Day's Night", Peter Townsend's guitar intro to "I Can't Explain", Paul Chambers leading the band into "So What", John Coltrane's majestic "A Love Supreme", Julius Hemphill's thorny yet seductive "Hard Blues" and so much more) that shakes us and shapes us.

In the time spent listening this Holiday morning, I thought about the emotional weight of music in my life and how it has made me who I am (for better or worse.)  I do enjoy being with friends sharing food, wine and conservation.  Chatting with my daughters and their respective mates and/or friends gives me great joy as does a quiet drive through an autumnal countryside with my wife (my best friend for over 4 decades.) But there are moments in a club or concert hall, in my living room or sitting on the porch under headphones being swept away by the power of a drummer, the finesse of a bassist, the fleet runs of the pianist, the flurry of notes from the horns or the plaintive cry of the singer that can just take away my breath, can eliminate the blues (even for an hour) and can help affect a change in attitude.

I know others feel this way about music (no matter if it's opera, country or African high-life) and trust that you try to share this passion, even if there are times when you fell you're the only one. We are born alone, often die alone but, in the lifetime between our first and last breaths, we needn't be alone.

Happy, healthy, New Year!