I've
been lucky enough to have run into the right
people. as far as music is concerned. My Dad and my
Uncle Richard had a fondness for jazz. I remember,
at eight or nine years old, hearing a cool but
somber instrumental version of My
Funny Valentine.
By the time I was twelve, I was listening to Brubeck, Getz, Garner, Armstrong, Fitzgerald, Shearing and others. One of my favorites (all of this on 45 rpm records)was the Basie Band with the great Joe Williams. I was hearing the blues, but I didn't know it.
Then, somehow, I got involved with a rock band. My brother and I (with a few other guys) had a good time. And the attention was sorta fun, too. I was rolling with the times. I still loved jazz, but there was no one with whom I could share that love.
The Beatles, starting with the Rubber Soul album, helped elevate my appreciation of music by leaps and bounds. Then I ran into some people who listened to Judy Collins, Tom Paxton, early Donovan, early Joni Mitchell and others. Folk Music. This was yet another grand revelation. Then I learned the bare basics of Travis Pickin' - playing the lead, rhythm and bass at the same time. A song or two from Chet Atkins didn't hurt.
I had heard and played a lot of rock, but it was pretty much something to pass the time. Then I heard Jimi Hendrix. Then I heard the Allman Brothers. From Joe Williams to these guys, the blues would have a profound impact.
And then...
For $2.49, I bought a cassette of some nocturnes of Frederick Chopin. Here we go again! Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Ravel, DeBussey, Copeland, Gershwin, Etc. Although I can barely read music, these composers also meant a lot to me - and you can hear it.
And then there's me - what I feel and see all around me and within. I'm a musician.
Someone asked Buddha who or what he was.
His answer was "I am awake."
I'm trying to stay awake.
By the time I was twelve, I was listening to Brubeck, Getz, Garner, Armstrong, Fitzgerald, Shearing and others. One of my favorites (all of this on 45 rpm records)was the Basie Band with the great Joe Williams. I was hearing the blues, but I didn't know it.
Then, somehow, I got involved with a rock band. My brother and I (with a few other guys) had a good time. And the attention was sorta fun, too. I was rolling with the times. I still loved jazz, but there was no one with whom I could share that love.
The Beatles, starting with the Rubber Soul album, helped elevate my appreciation of music by leaps and bounds. Then I ran into some people who listened to Judy Collins, Tom Paxton, early Donovan, early Joni Mitchell and others. Folk Music. This was yet another grand revelation. Then I learned the bare basics of Travis Pickin' - playing the lead, rhythm and bass at the same time. A song or two from Chet Atkins didn't hurt.
I had heard and played a lot of rock, but it was pretty much something to pass the time. Then I heard Jimi Hendrix. Then I heard the Allman Brothers. From Joe Williams to these guys, the blues would have a profound impact.
And then...
For $2.49, I bought a cassette of some nocturnes of Frederick Chopin. Here we go again! Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Ravel, DeBussey, Copeland, Gershwin, Etc. Although I can barely read music, these composers also meant a lot to me - and you can hear it.
And then there's me - what I feel and see all around me and within. I'm a musician.
Someone asked Buddha who or what he was.
His answer was "I am awake."
I'm trying to stay awake.