hello all

i've had something of a revelation.  it didn't
knock me off of my horse, if you 'll pardon the
reference.  like most life changing experiences
it came to me like a drop of cool water on the
back of the neck, the tingling of the hand as i
press a seed firmly in the earth, or the quiver
in my stomach when i first thought someone i
love might be pregnant. small beginnings.

it all started when i was thinking about the
new year and where i ought to steer my life. it
occured to me that playing live music may be
something that should exist only as a fading
beacon in my rear-view mirror. not to swear it
off, but simply let it drift off quietly into
the distance. there are legions of reasons for
this: the hours of travel to play for ten folks
who want to hear you and then can't because the
alcohol induced patrons (of whatever smokey bar
you happen to have stumbled into) are expressing
their life philosophy at the top of their lungs,
the promoters who cry that the show was never
confirmed at the 11th hour, the clubs who's
strength is in fuzzy financial math.... all
these without mentioning the times we've stepped
on our own toes in this complicated piece of
ballet. but it seemed that there have always
been the few dedicated listeners who made it all
worthwhile... somehow... that's the scenic route
to get to my little epiphany...

i got a call from my dear friend paul patterson,
who told me that a group of musicians (of whom
i've been a fan) had come all the way from
sweden to play a concert in the tiny hamlet of
cincinnati, at a small upper room at a german
restauraunt downtown. hardly auspicious...

i called a few friend to let them know and slid
thru the snowy evening into one of those
experiences where time seems to stand still. the
singer (lena willemark) sang notes that called
the stars into dancing and made the strings of
our hearts resonate with the music of the life.
and all in a language i don't understand. there
were all of about 40 people there in an
abandoned room in an unused 19th century eatery.
but that was where the magic happened. not in an
upholstered auditorium with hundreds of adoring
fans.

we few.

and then there is the ken burns pbs series,
"jazz." i've had quite a few people ask my
opinion about the series, and while i tend to
agree with some who decry the little room given
to coltrane and the post-bop era, what really
strikes me is that a few people got together,
without bright lights, without fanfare,
sometimes without fans... and they too made
magic happen.

in a little room.

we few, we happy few.



here we go again.


monk

Fri Jan. 26
     The Madfrog
     Corryville (Cinti, OH)
     513-784-9119
     10-11:30pm
     tickets: $6 at door

Fri  Feb. 2
     The Trinity House Theatre
     38840 West Six Mile
     Livonia MI 48152
     734-464-6302
     tickets $10

Sat  Feb 3
     Calvin college
     Grand Rapids, Mi
      see www.calvincollege.com

there will be a few southern shows april. look
to see ric solo at eddie's attic in atlanta, on
thursday april 18th.....



as always check in with monkmusic.com for
details.


peace


monk