David – I remember that night well. It’s those moments of connection that really stick with you, and I bet there’s folks who were in the audience that night that still talk about it. That’s what I’m talkin’ about! Thanks for all you do to help the community thrive and prosper. Looking forward to the show on the 19th!

Andrew – you are right about jazz being “the great hybrid”. That’s a wonderful way of putting it. I wish more of our peers felt that way. And I certainly didn’t mean to imply and sort of dichotomy between the two. It should always be a balance of both. The irony is that just as often as someone uses the term “entertainment” to describe art they don’t like someone else is using it to belittle something they see as somehow “less than” art…go figure.

I hope you guys make it up to play in Seattle soon. Maybe you should talk to David about a gig at Lucid!

I’m not even sure I know what the difference between “entertainment” and “art” is anymore — seems like many folks use the word “entertainment” as a code for describing art they don’t like. But just because something has a groove, or makes you laugh, or inspires dancing, doesn’t mean it can’t also be art!

Jazz has a great way of bringing out these tensions because, in terms of its audience, it really has one foot in both worlds (art and entertainment). Of course many jazz fans try to put it one box or another — but to my ears it is and always will be the great hybrid!

And to be quite honest I can’t really tell you why because I didnt choose Jazz it chose me. and every day there’s a new reason I play. It’s only been 7 months and to be honest there’s over several hundred reasons why I play but here are a few.

#1 I admire the artist who create something from nothing, to see an artist on stage entertaining, going with the flow is sometimes the most amazing. I remember one night when the JPQ was playing and David (drummer) was having problems with his kick pedal, and he was fixing it, during the other artist’s solos but as the time clock was winding down and it was time for him to play he wasnt ready and jason knew he wasnt going to be ready and jason began to clap and the audience joined in, it was so amazing being a part of this performance and it wasnt even scripted.

#2 the way it makes me feel, especially the jazz songs with out lyrics, it allows me to give it my own definition. In Jazz, for me at least it is what I make it.

#3 I can support these cats and their visions and because if you’ve created anything in life you understand exactly what it takes to make something from nothing the time and energy that goes into coming up with the idea, to actually working through the kinks, and coming up with a finished product. It’s a great feeling when people appreciates you.

#4 Music is happiness! I feel so good when I listen to Jazz and you can see the shared joy that others feel for what they are listening.

I AM JAZZ….