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.
"You don't miss your water, 'til the well runs dry." One of the many
things I love about Oaxaca is the music that seems to be a constant
here. Brass bands are everywhere from the city's streets to the most
remote villages. The house I live in overlooks a vast area. It is in
the foothills of one set of mountains and I can look across a wide
valley to the next range, miles off to the west. Normally, I can hear
these bands playing or practicing, as the sound carries remarkably
far. I hear music for danzas, fiestas, weddings and funerals. Many
pieces are recognizable and traditional and then there are the
absolutely kick-ass tunes that make you want to jump up and move. I've
been back from self-isolating in MA to doing the same here. There is
much work to do, so I spend most of the day outside and I've not heard
one note since I've been back. Of course, I've always believed that
anything that goes in your ears is music, I still have the birds, the
winds and the sounds of everyday life as a soundtrack, but I sure miss
the music.
