Word and Deed
Do you have to go to beauty school to learn consistency of word and deed? Not if you’re stuck with me as a teacher . . .
Continue ReadingTop 10 Favorite Cedar Walton and Billy Higgins Tracks
Wrapping up my Cedar tributes (and my lists, having recently devoted Top 10s to each of these men without the other), here are 10 highlights among the dozens and dozens of tracks these two collaborated on that have been essential to the development of my own musical conception.
Continue ReadingTop 10 Favorite Billy Higgins Tracks (non-Cedar Walton division)
We’ll get to Billy Higgins plus Cedar Walton soon; in the meantime here are 10 of my favorite Billy sides without Cedar. What a great excuse to listen to one of the greatest drummers in jazz history.
Continue ReadingTop 10 Favorite Cedar Walton Tracks (non-Billy Higgins division)
This is the first of 3 related Top 10 lists – stay tuned for a Billy Higgins list and one featuring the work of Cedar and Billy together.
Continue ReadingTop 10 Favorite Marian McPartland Tracks
Last week marked Marian McPartland’s passing. Her warmth is what I will always remember most, but her musical legacy is tremendous.
Continue ReadingStay On the Path (Thanks Cedar)
In tribute to the incredible musical legacy of Cedar Walton (1934-2013) I am currently preparing a series of my Top 10 lists. In the meantime, though, I wanted to share a personal anecdote of how a seemingly innocuous encounter with him shaped my life.
Continue ReadingA Shot At Redemption
What is it with me and philosophical revelations that occur at 5-5 in the third set? This time it incorporates disability, tragedy, Paul Simon and the potential for triumph of the human spirit and beyond.
Continue ReadingTop 10 Paul Simon Tracks
10 among my many faves by Mr. Simon . . . as a solo artist, without the tall guy.
Continue ReadingThe Distinction Between Pain and Suffering (or “It ain’t all in your head, but some of it is”)
There is an distinction between pain and suffering, two words and concepts that are often (but erroneously) treated as synonyms. Even if our pain is unavoidable, we can improve our quality of life by tackling suffering!
Continue ReadingThe Key to Fulfillment
Reflections on the delicate balance that I’ve found governs the quest for self-actualization and fulfillment.
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