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?

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

A Renewed You in 2016: The Challenge of Change

Marcus Miller @Ralph Basui Watkins

To be new or to renew ourselves we have to take on new challenges.  When we put ourselves in situations that challenge us they change us if we don’t fight the process.  The process:

1. Identify the challenge
2. Accept the challenge
3. Fully commit yourself over the long haul to follow through and complete the assignment
4. Approach the task with an ethic of hard work, discipline and excellence

My new challenge is to develop my craft and work as a photographer / visual storyteller.  To this end I am starting a new challenge this year.  The new challenge is to tell the story of jazz in Atlanta.  I am embarking on this challenge because of my love for jazz and how I see this music. It isn’t music that I simply listen to but rather it is music that moves me.  It moves me as I experience this music with all of my senses.

My goal in this project is to share with the world the texture, layers and beauty of live music.  The images will be those of spiritual music.  Images from churches, clubs and concert halls.  Jazz, gospel and blues because I believe they are from one strand.  I am also exploring jazz and improvisation as a metaphor for life and ministry.  This project stands to change how I see and experience the music that I love.  To have to go out late at night and shoot pictures and capture video is a real challenge for me.  I like to get up at 4:30 a.m. every morning to start my day.  To do what I sense I have been called to do will require a complete reordering of my life and schedule. 

I invite you to walk along with me on this journey.  I would also encourage you to take time out as we come to the end of this year and ponder what new challenges you will take on in 2016.  If you want to be new you have to things that renew you.  What are you going to do to renew you?

Marcus Miller @Ralph Basui Watkins

Marcus Miller @Ralph Basui Watkins