Crunch time on the teaching portfolio. Due tomorrow. If you know me, you can visualize me wearing holes in my scalp from running my fingers through my hair, intravenously supplying caffeine, and generally looking all kinds of frazzled.
Not so, my friends. Not today at least. Why?
My walk to the library to assume my position for the next 24 was set to a backdrop of crystal clear blue skies, 70 degrees, and yes.. I spent entirely too much on that mug of coffee. And as I began to channel my inner educator and reflect on the, admittedly, ridiculous volume of 'professional development' seminars i've participated in, I turned to jazz.
Jazz is so many things for me. It was always in my home growing up. The rolling 'tings' of the cymbals, the syncopated beat of the drum, the crooning sax or wailing trumpet, the punching expressions from the piano, the deep, unimposing commentary from the bass, these sounds are familiar and comforting. These sounds in concert envelop me in a calm serenity that I can only equate to drinking a tall glass of red wine.
And on days like today when I need to focus, what classical is for some, jazz is for me.
So, thanks to the 'Jazz Concert' section of the NPR music page, I am zen-ing to this:
Artist: Steve Wilson and Wilsonian's Grain
Piano: Orrin Evans Bass: Ugonna Okegwo
Drums:Bill Stewart Sax: Steve Wilson
From: Steve hails from Hampton, VA but now lives in NY
Style: Jazz
Concert: Live at the Village Vanguard
I highly recommend you give this group a try. You can:
1) Listen using the player below
2) If you want to download an mp3 of the concert, right click HERE and "Save Link As"
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