We weep over the graves of infants and the little ones taken from us by death; but an early grave may be the shortest way to heaven.
I know of musicians who have played together for decades who hate each other. The Modern Jazz Quartet for one.
Improvising musicians are musical travelers, voyagers. There is a freedom to wander the musical landscape.
Most people learn to improvise on their own, listening to records, endless hours of noodling on their instrument in the bedroom with all their spare time. That's traditionally how people learn.
Without doubt, the foremost band for decades has been the One O'Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas. Through its many incarnations and under various leaders, they have demonstrated the highest qualities of musicianship imaginable, plus a willingness to balance their big band tradition with creative exploration. Astounding ensemble work, insightful interpretations of the arrangements, imaginative writing, and above all, a loving attention to musicality. . . these people play beautifully.
It hasn't been hard getting nominated, but winning it is another thing. The competition is tough.
There are a few things that I will hopefully be credited for as a pioneer. One is my four-mallet playing. Another one is the starting what was first called jazz rock in 1967 when I started my first band, later became jazz fusion by the 1970s.
I never learned hate at home, or shame. I had to go to school for that.
Soul travel can be a general expansion of awareness and knowingness or conscious experience of the heavenly worlds.
I don't come from a flashy film background. TV's been a great home for me, and being able to do that work kind of unnoticed, and not putting that out in the foreground was perfectly fine for me. I just continue to want to make sure that that's what it's about. I think when you start spinning out on what other people are doing and trying to chase something, you're really on a one-way ticket to things not working out the way you want them to.
In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing.