Music

Dave Brubeck made an album called "Adventures In Time." I'll take you on a musical journey and give you some insight into my understanding of what I see and hear. I like many different types of music, but I always come back to jazz. When you read my comments perhaps you'll understand a little better.

I'm no musical expert just an average guy who likes to listen to music. It's a vital part of my life. I can't imagine living without music. From the earliest part of my life to now I never get enough. My dad was a musician who played piano, organ, vibraphones and drums. He played in New York during the 1930's. He told me stories about the Cotton Club and other great swing and jazz places of that era. To give you an indicator of my musical roots I've included a picture of one of the bands my father played with in the 30s. He instilled in me was that it made no difference who was playing or their race. Listen to the music first and then make your decision about the presentation.

Dianne Reeves

I keep trying to find a way to define jazz. Sex seems a logical choice from my perspective. The first thing about sex is your interest to join a significant other in an intimate relationship. Do you find jazz a seductive temptress? You hear a song and it stimulates your sensual perception. Your mood is also an important ingredient.  You've got to chill to establish the mood. The next step is to induce arousal. This arousal may come in the form of a sultry female singing about romance and how much she needs you. Or, it may come in the way a musician plays a particular instrument. Jazz affects me this way. Is everybody cool? "

Steve Masakowski, Astral Project

Now we've established interest, the mood and initial arousal where do we go with jazz. We have to relax, enjoy ourselves and achieve orgasm. This comes in the form of the vocalist and or the musicians reaching into our soul.  Jazz has a way of heat seeking your inner soul. When the music finds the right spot, lights flash, your heart skips a beat and then you release yourself as a single entity and become fully entwined with the music. Does jazz affect you this way?  The final step is the sense of well being you feel when you consummate this intimate relationship with jazz. Now just lay back between the satin sheets and relax, right? Just fooling, pick out another song and enjoy a multiple jazz orgasm."

You just have to have some backup girls to add some pizazz to the musical group. These three worked with Coco Robicheaux in New Orleans. A predominate blues band they rocked the house at the 2008 Jazz Fest. The girl with the hat is Coco's wife. Oh yes, blues stand alone, but they work well with jazz. I often wonder which really came first, the blues or jazz. Either way it makes for enjoyable listening. 

This group was so lively and had everyone dancing in front of the stage. It's a typical marching band with some not so typical musicians. Everyone played extremely well. They were great as both soloists and as a tightly knit group. The audience had their respective fun meters pegged. At the Jazz fest you can hear all types of music. You go from stage to stage, tent to tent, eat a full range of Cajun food and other delights and dance away all your cares. If you have never heard or danced to Zydeco it is a must in our short time on the planet.


This dude's hat aided in the image of nonchalance and relaxed attitude he showed while playing some superb saxophone. It was a mid-day performance and he and his partner put on a great show. You just never know what a saxophone and a tuba can come up with in a 45 minute set. I kept time with the music and added my own mental interpretations as they played.  As your experience becomes greater with music you'll find there are opportunities to inject intricacies and interpretations of your own. The potential for improvisation is endless. Give it a try.

These are street musicians in New Orleans. The girl playing the violin possessed a nice  classical background.  Her selections were lively and full of delightful interpretations. Just out of sight in this street scene, I also watched a drug deal going down. A contrast of the good and the bad. Many excellent musicians work on the street during the day playing for tips. No fancy venue, just an opportunity to express one's self. Some are on their way up the music chain while others are on their way down. Like everything else, fame is fleeting.

Astral Project, New Orleans based, played a gig in Little Rock last year. I took this picture in the very low light at the club. They graciously allowed me to take pictures as long as I didn't use the flash. They have played together over 30 years and are a most creative and eclectic ensemble. The group features sax, guitar, bass and drums. To me this picture is an expression of a musical event waiting to happen. This shot occurred in the break between sets. As it turned out they blew the doors off the Afterthought that night. Each member of the group plays with other groups, but Astral Project is where they come together and take their collective talents, individual musical perspectives and creativity to extraordinary heights. They are one of my favorite groups. 

This gentleman did a rousing show about the life of Jelly Roll Morton.  He was backed up by a group that played tunes Jelly Roll Morton wrote in the early days of Jazz. He used anecdotal stories, biographical events and a little poetic license, well probably quite a bit. There was no doubt he was totally in character. He talked about playing in the bordellos of the era, the many adventures he had with ladies, gambling, money and how his playing career progressed. He danced, he sang, he emoted from the heart. His most pleasant bass voice projected his feelings to the audience. When finished the standing ovation was indicative of our satisfaction. His performance added to my enjoyment and satisfaction of music.