THE 5th SHARP

Domino’s Scientists Test Limits Of What Humans Will Eat

I like this. Don’t make me tell you why….

Over the past year, I have been fortunate to play frequently musicians Jared Gold and Julius Tolentino. The three of us, with the help of several different drummers, have begun to develop a rapport that I have found to be both unusual and amazing. The idea of a “working band” is one that has proven elusive over the past decade. I have kept some semblance of a steady band, as evidenced by the personnel on my recordings as a leader, but something else is happening with this group. We have become that “working band”…if only performing together once a month. But, I hope that you’ll all keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to see this unit live. In addition, we’ll be recording new music for the great persons at Positone Records, in June. The three of us will be joined by Quincy Davis and the results should give an idea of why I’m so excited. In the meantime, here’s a clip of a recent live recording that we did of a tune called, “French Press”. I wrote it originally for a performance last September in celebration of Charlie Parker’s birthday. It has become a staple of our performances with the Organ 4tet. why “french press”???….because i love coffee and i’m drinking it right now.

The pursuit of happiness begins from birth and is a path towards one’s passion. That passion is meaningful and valuable only when pursued and lacks value when gifted by birth or other means. One’s happiness can only be defined by the individual in pursuit of it and can only be realized through willful persistence and faith.

In a moment of reflection about change and its progress, I thought……

Social progress and/or change is the tedious and painstaking process of loosening the grip that the few have over the lives of the many.

here is an interview that was recently conducted by woozyfly.com….

a long drive left me time to reflect about music, art, joy, love…….

I was pondering the idea of living a “good life” today whilst making a long commute. I would not only define such a life as being good to others and to ourselves, but investing in and pursuing goals that make us better people while making the world a better place. It occurred to me that most of us here enjoy a passion for music, or for many other things that bring us joy and enrich our lives and the lives of others. I think this place is special. As I reflected, I thought of all the people that I know who chase the next paycheck to buy the next piece of merchandise in search of joy. They live their lives as batteries that recharge the economy. But, like all batteries, they eventually run out of juice and become insignificant to the economy and the society that surrounds it. I’m not sure where my thoughts will eventually take me, but I thought I would share my epiphany. Perhaps, this is just my emotional defense of a career which doesn’t seem to be important to the society in which I live…or its economy. But, we all move forward looking for the next mouthpiece, instrument, or gig that will allow us to change our little section of the universe.

I’m on my way to a gig momentarily. I’m looking forward to tapping into the joy that music can provide. I hope you are all able to do the same in your own ways.

DG

In my private celebration of MLK day, I dedicated much thought to the idea of a “hero”. It seems that the celebration of the life and works of Martin Luther King Jr. is viewed still as an “African-American” holiday rather than an “American” holiday. I don’t say this to minimize the importance of Dr. King and his works to the African-American community….or to diminish the significance of a great “African-American”. I just wish that folks that look like me, white folks in America, could embrace him as our leader, as our hero, too. There is, in my experience with many white people, an unspoken distinction in the minds and actions of most of us white folks.

There was a time in this country, when a human being could be denied the most basic of rights and freedoms for simply looking different. Many folks fought and died so that every American citizen would receive their birth rights. These days, America starts wars in the name of human rights to prevent other countries from acting as we did only a short time ago. Though, it is impossible to legislate thoughts, I have always hoped that making racism a dirty word would confine its gruesome guise to the back rooms and keep it out of the light. Maybe, in doing so, the next generation would not see it nor miss it. I’m not naive enough to believe that it doesn’t exist both overtly and covertly, but I am still optimistic that I may see its end, should I be granted enough days here.

Martin Luther King, Jr., is my hero. He is an American hero. He is a hero of the human race through his embrace of the opportunity to show folks their ugly reflection and offer a template for what to do to make things right. He was a prophet.

Peace,

DG

I was told, some 20 years ago, that you have to be so good that they miss you when you’re not on the gig.

I have noticed that many of the younger cats that show up on the scene have the wrong idea. They’re busy trying to show everyone what they can do without checking out what the older cats can do. If you’re in a section next to Benny Powell, why are you trying to impress him? Think about all the situations that he has experienced. Think about the great players that have sat next to him…or in front of him and behind him. Listen to what he says. Watch what he does. If you want to be sitting in that chair for the next 40 years, there is a template readily available. He is the template.

Another ingredient necessary to longevity in the freelance music scene is a passion for music. I, like most of us who freelance, have an opportunity to experience plenty of musicians who are “burned out” or jaded. They “never got their due” attention or respect and now they’re making us all pay for it. One such experience started me thinking recently. It started me thinking critically about myself, too. I tried to remember what it was to first understand an altered dominant chord. I remember being able to connect to timbre to a definition in my mind. I remember when I found the notes I liked in the chord. I remember being so excited and energized. Why has that joy of discovery subsided? It’s difficult to keep that kind of excitement and energy if we don’t continue on the journey of discovery….and most importantly, if we need someone else to notice. When we’re in school, there is always someone there telling us when we did it right, or on which things we need to improve. But, in the real world, we have to adjust our minds to be both critical and rewarding to ourselves. We have to do the internal work and take the results to the bandstand. If we go to the bandstand looking for someone to notice our progress or reward us for it, we’ll probably be disappointed. It is expected that we’ll sound great….we’re professionals.

December 2007 marked the beginning of “American Rath”, a jazz trombone trio sponsored in equal parts by Mick Rath and Rath Trombones and Steve Dillon and Dillon Music. The program was comprised of 9 selections. There were original compositions and a few arrangements, including new takes on standards “Cherokee” and “I’m Gettin’ Sentimental Over You”, by Mike Dease and James Burton. We have all contributed original music for the date and in the clip below, you will hear a take of James Burton’s “Going Somewhere”.

Please note that the rhythm section of Rick Germanson-pno, Dwayne Burno-bs and Dion Parson-drms brought experience from the bands of Pat Martino, Roy Haynes, Roy Hargrove, Jon Faddis and Steve Turre together to create a foundation of groove and swing that transcends what one may expect from the narrow demographic usually associated with trombone-centric recordings. I am both proud and honored to be associated with this project as peformer, composer and producer. Thank you to Steve Dillon and Mick Rath for the chance to make beautiful music with an amazing instrument.

Keep your eyes and ears open for this upcoming release available exclusively from Dillon Music, www.dillonmusic.com .

Whenever we get to this time of year, I start to reflect, as most people do. Last night I watched the movie “Scrooged”, which featured performances by Bill Murray, Alfre Woodard, Carol Kane….and cameo appearances by Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Paul Schaffer and Larry Carlton. It’s a hilarious, yet touching, take on Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. Afterwards, I was feeling full of holiday spirit and cheer. I was feeling spiritually generous. I could face the world without needing to be “right”, or having folks agree with me. I could be “for” one thing without being “against” everything else. As good as it feels, I wish I could articulate the feeling in a more tangible way. Fortunately, I happened upon the following YouTube video, thanks to my very good friend Adam Small. The warmth that I am feeling right now seems to leap from the screen and infect me with an overwhelming sense of love and respect for humanity….and for all in the animal kingdom, too…..and even for little insects, but not for some insects…..but for most insects. And, as you watch this video, please know that I don’t care what faith you claim as your own or to what God you pray, if any. I just want you to come back to this place again when you need to recharge your spiritual batteries or make a deposit in your account for “cheer”, because sometimes it gets rough and it can be easy to forget how much love there is in the world. Please watch this video with my blessings.

Sincerely,

DG