The Power of Play: Love, Listen, Learn and Sound Good Together

To see musicians play together amazes me. They listen to each other, appreciate each other, compliment each other and we are the ultimate beneficiaries.  The give and take that goes on on stage is a model for what life and leadership can be when we love what we do and appreciate those we do it with. In life and in organizations we can have a tendency to look down on others and not value what they bring to the table.  In music the artists appreciate the artistry and instrument their fellow band member brings to the stage and the play together.

To watch Antone Knight share the stage with the likes of Ken Ford was moving.  Not that I haven't seen this before but to see it last night moved me in a special way.  As I reflect on my journey today I am mindful of how arrogant people dismiss and talk down to others and I so wish we could learn to play together. When we play we have to listen and respect the other as we want to sound good together.  Today I recommit to listen and play with others.  Who do you need to be listening to?  Can you hear those you play with?  What is your role in the band you play in?

Being Willing to Make Mistakes: Pushing the Art

Last night was my first time seeing / hearing Victor Wooten live.  I am a bass fan and to be honest I love the guitar.  My love relationship with jazz began with great guitar players.  When it comes to the bass it is at the core of this love affair.  While I have seen and heard Marcus Miller and Stanley Clarke I hadn’t heard Victor. Now that I have heard all three I can say I have been in the presence of the Holy Trinity of Bass Players.

The show was spiritual.  You feel the power of the Spirit working through Victor. He is a good person and his music amplifies his angelic presence. While the show was truly moving what impressed me most was his willing to push the envelope.  He and his band played a song they hadn’t rehearsed over and over but rather they were introduced to the song during sound check.   Victor admitted that this was a new song and this was their first time playing it and there were going to be some mistakes.  He was clear you have to go for it, try new stuff and you have to live with the mistakes if you are going to get better.

Victor said, “I would rather us go for something cool and mess up rather than play it safe and play the same way every night.” This spoke volumes to me and my work as well as the gift that is Victor Wooten.  Victor isn’t satisfied with what he has created but rather he is always creating new stuff as he pushes the envelope as he delights in the gifts of mistakes.  If we are going to grow we have to try new stuff and live with the mess of the creative process of becoming that artist you were created to be.  Are you willing to make mistakes as you push your art to the next point on the journey?  Are you making enough  mistakes are or you playing it safe (pun intended)?

Pictures of Victor Wooten

David P Stevens: All the Way Live

As a kid my favorite jazz artist was Wes Montgomery.  From my earliest relationship with jazz it has been through the guitar.  I tell you this so that you can understand why I am so excited about seeing David P. Stevens perform.  I heard David P prior to seeing him live and I wasn’t ready for his live performance.  He was totally awesome. 

When I go to see an artist I don’t just want to hear the music I want to see them perform. I want to be entertained as I listen to their music live.  I have found artist who sound great when I am home listening to them and then I see them live and they are horrible.  In the case of David P. Stevens he adds an entire new level to his music.  He and his music come to life when you see him perform.  He is an artist who understands how to entertain you while not taking away from the quality of his music and or musicianship.

First you will hear a great musician.  He is awesome on the guitar.  His finger work will amaze you.  His sound is incredibly clean as he  plays with passion and energy.  When I hear him and see him you can feel the music.  He touches you when he plays.  You literally feel the music.  You sit there in amazement of what you are hearing and seeing; you want to get up and dance but you are spell bound by his technique and the quality of the music.  All I can say is, if David P Stevens is in town you want to go see him.

To see more of my images from the show go to the following:

Pictures of David P. Stevens by Ralph Watkins @ St James Live Atlanta