The here and now... and what and why

Complacency is a trap. At least that’s what I was thinking when I up and left the comfort of a Yankee prep school gig, where I taught music, amongst other things, for 28 years. There was also that life long career as a composer, musician and artist.

First, it was a year in St. Thomas, USVI, working as a reporter and shooting photography and then, a year in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Time passed.
More time passed and a year back in the Athens of America followed by a hasty return to Oaxaca where it is all happening.
A couple of years in San Sebastian Etla and now, just down the road in San Pablo Etla. Life is good.

Click on an image to see it larger.
For additional photography please visit my flickr page.
You can find my music on Jango (World & latin - Worldbeat) and at iTunes and most online stores.
¡Soy consciente de todas las tradiciones del Internet!
If you are coming to Oaxaca, please contact me for tours or advice.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo
The view from Corazon del Pueblo

The hereafter re me

My photo
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
Musician, photographer, videographer, reporter, ex-officio teacher, now attempting to be a world traveler

Monday, September 11, 2017

Music to feed the soul

Here's some wonderful music, both videos showing the amazing virtuosity of these musicians.  The first, global chamber jazz trio, Elements performs "To the Light" composed by Kala Ramnath and George Brooks. With Gwyneth Wentink, harp; Kala Ramnath, violin and George Brooks soprano saxophone.

I used to play with George in various bands back in the day.  We had so much fun together playing funk, R&B, soul and jazz. A few years after the bands split up, we ended up at New England Conservatory at the same time.  We used to play Earth Wind and Fire tunes and had a genuine Ferris Bueller moment playing in a small town in Upstate New York.  We were the featured act for their Firemen's Field Days, a big deal, and when we started playing in front of a large crowd, all the town cheerleaders came out and danced their routine to our EW&F.  We all looked at each other... minds blown... we just laughed.

And we were both asked to play at our graduation.... and it turned out to be an EL&F tune.  Minds blown...we just laughed.

Anyhow, George has gone far and is world renown for his playing with a specialty in Indian music.

And just to blow your mind... Leo Pelligrino, from New York's subway to Royal Albert Hall

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