In a moment that seemed to rise out of divine inspiration I began composing songs specifically for the human spirit. I was meditating on words that heal. What happened next surprised me.

On the page before me, I saw the development of the “Love” album. Within a matter of days, songs like Respect, Determination, Faith, Hope and Love escaped my subconscious and became reality.

I wasn’t sure how to respond. I was in the middle of sharing Freedom’s Children: The Celebration with listeners. Now, I have a new concept I feel compelled to record. The message: Self-love and Self respect.

The human spirit is ten times larger than the human body but many of us struggle with truly nurturing our spirit. On the “Love” album, each song is a prayer/meditation. I want to encourage others to love self, be determined, respect self and others, have faith and keep hope alive.

Words are very powerful. Positive messages are good for the body and soul. I hope to inspire listeners to enjoy the gift of the present. The tone poems on the “Love” album will support the theme: Love is the most powerful force on earth.

Once again I will place my faith in the community to assist me in creating this album. What is meant to be will be…

As a musician, I’ve received different advice when it comes to the audience. For those of you who are not performers, imagine this:

You walk into a room of people to give a speech. You spent hours working on your talking points. On the day of your speech, you are engaging, funny and informative. Yet as you speak, in walks this group who are loud, disrespectful and uncompromising. You ask them to please respect those who are listening and they refuse. Do you think you can carry on your speech with this type of distraction?

***

I’ve encountered similar situations at a variety of performances. Some elders say “create music that draws people in. If the musical message is powerful, there will be no need for addressing the issue with words. Music is community.”

Other elders convey, “People don’t listen. They are part of the microwave generation. Before the invention of canned music, people had to wait to listen to music. It wasn’t readily available. They had a greater appreciation for creators of music.”

Since 1988 when I first stood on a stage, I’ve grappled with the performer and listener relationship. In the early years, I felt the audience should come with an understanding of how to behave (when to clap and when to talk). When listeners showed up and responded in ways that were different from my socialized thoughts, I became frustrated and said things like “Why would you come to a concert to talk?”

My thoughts were quickly cured when I attended an orchestral performance that was very stiff.  During the performance, the audience was dead quiet. Between movements folks would cough and then wait until the end of the performance to clap. I loved performing in orchestras. From a performing stand point, I appreciated the etiquette applied to these events. But at this particular concert, I was part of the listening audience. I fell asleep. After the concert I thought, “I hope I wasn’t snoring…loud.”

Though I appreciate audience etiquette, I think music can motivate an organic interactive reaction. As I’ve grown musically, so has my appreciation for human collective behavior, especially meditation. When the music is right, it feels like the band is collectively meditating. With the channels of communication open, the audience can feel the vibrations and join in. Anyone who walks into the room can feel the energy and are compelled to take part in the celebration. The band becomes the light and we connect everyone in the room to the spirit of music.

I must admit there are nights when this is not achieved but instead of casting blame on the audience member(s) that appeared rude, insensitive or uncultured, I look at self. I ask “how did I fail to connect with this spirit before me?” The mantra playing in my mind: Music is community.

Before we could talk, we used music to communicate. In any form of communication, the path must be traveled by two or more effectively. Music is not masturbation or a soliloquy. Music is, among many definitions, unifying.

As a performer who will continue to learn, unlearn and relearn, I hope to create music that inspires love in the listener.

A year ago I was about to walk into the studio and record my first album. I was joined by friends and family in creating a beautiful project.

I am so thankful that the musicians took time to rehearse. When we got into the studio, we had no problems recording the music. Once “Queen Mary” was recorded, we all exhaled (I wished the Freedom’s Children poem made it but there is always next time).

“How will the jazz community take this album?”  My focus was cultural heritage but Caribbean rhythms and Afro-beat are not always embraced by some of the listeners who supported me over the years.

“Will we be able to record this album in one night?” We recorded all the songs in one night.  The schedule was tough but we had time to eat, listen and laugh.

In my writings and performances, I do my best to be clear with my intent. After recording the album, I was happy with the outcome and settled on the saying “you can’t please everyone.” Moving forward, I knew some would get the concept and others would just appreciate the music.

One year later, I’m happy with the people that I’ve met due to the music on the album. I’ve heard “this is a beautiful concept. You should turn this into a play for children and adults.” Elders have also given me their stamp of approval.  It has been an amazing experience and I’m still amazed that the dream became a reality.

Thank you…

Human Values…

What do you value?

Is it life? Maybe it is love? Maybe it is something shiny? Does it make a beeping sound?

Is it religion? Are you predicting the end of days or celebrating the beauty of life?

Is it family? What are you teaching the young? Hate? Love? Compassion? Competition?

Is it His-story? Her-story? Or is it our story?

What do you think? Is it a curse or a blessing?

Is it depressing or uplifting? Maybe invigorating?

Are you selfless? Selfish? Maybe both?

Are we the custodians of Geb/Gaia? Or destroyers of Mother Nature?

Do you think we are all connected to the light? Or are we aimlessly traveling through space captivated with meaningless things?

Do you value paper? Do you wash your hands after?

Do you value art? Do you value music? Do you think yours is better than theirs?

Do you think we are beginning to understand after 12 million years or do we need 12 million more to learn to love our species?

Do you value you?

Let me qualify the title. I began enjoying Hip Hop long before I held an instrument or knew the pleasures of a woman.

One of my most memorable chastising was due to a desire to watch my uncle break dance instead of coming home at sunset. I loved the grooves long before I could understand the poetry. When folks met me, they expected me to follow in the footsteps of my uncle who was a very popular dancer.

My uncle could dance. He was known as “Mumbly” (don’t know the meaning but I can only imagine). When he made the transition from break dancing to Hip Hop dancing of the late 80s, I did the same. I was much better at the latter. I guess because I was older.

For a long time, there was a conflict between the two (trombone concertos and Hip Hop dances). I eventually became “A jazz” of a brief group that also had my dancing partner and friend “B jazz.”

My uncle would coach us. Our early days included doing dance moves throughout the neighborhood to strengthen our muscles. My uncle would say “do your pushups so you can be strong enough to perform the dance moves” and we did. Those who know me from my youth would still comment on me dancing (and the many hip hop hair styles I wore, like the Gumby).

Our days comprised of watching videos, rewinding them frequently to cop the moves, then practicing the moves so we could perform our routines at various dances. We had a routine for many of the popular songs. Digital Underground’s  “The Humpty Dance” had a routine that involved a difficult move. I remember falling on my face, going inside my parent’s home to get a band-aid, then returning to our practice session. My parent’s driveway was the location of our “dance studio.”

We were serious. We were new to the game and did not belong to the established “popular” dancing groups. So, we practiced and made sure we were always on point. We would start dancing and groups of folks would create a circle around us as we performed our dance routines.

I think the highlight of our work was winning a competition in school. In my sophomore year of high school, we had a dance off in front of the entire school. We did our routine and the popular group did theirs.  B jazz and I had on our matching outfits. The music came on and we were focused. We practiced so much together that we knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

After many teen dances, early morning boom box playing while practicing moves, aftermath of Hurricane Hugo dance class for the neighborhood kids, bruises and sweat, we were declared the winners. And, the crowd roared…

To this day, when the music hits me on stage, I love to dance. I don’t break out into the running man or jump through my leg, but I still want to…

Has anyone ever felt cocooned by responsibility? Maybe we feel enlightened by purpose?

Has anyone walked in nature and felt the energy from trees? Maybe we are stuck in a concrete jungle feeling claustrophobic? The ying and yang struggling for a center in hopes of finding an invisible equator, love.

Can we? Speak from our soul…let love flow from our lips.

Teach love. Maybe we will arrive at a place of being unconditional?

Give love. Maybe we will receive the same in return?

Live love. Maybe our life will be filled with less hate/judgment?

Will we lose interest in judging others? Will we forgo judging self?

Don’t be afraid to not know. “I don’t know ” is a very honest statement (hopefully the beginning of a lesson).

Imagine if we made each spoken word count making the blessings into a multiplication equation.

The journey through life can be filled with living love. Or one can be stuck surviving. It is our choice. Live wisely…

Powerful force,
embraced with ultimate truth.
Spirit summons its own spring
with love’s presence.
Intense and gentle touch
Waves of life unfolding
Enjoying the gift of you:
Love. Now. Love. Well.

She stepped to him and asked, “Would you like to make love?” Stunned by her question, he asked her to repeat what she said. She held his hand gently and whispered in his ear softly “would you like to make love?”

He was taken back and was not sure how to respond. She smiled and asked him to walk with her. They stepped outside her house and he wondered if she wanted to connect in nature intimately. She motioned him to follow her.

“Brother, there is love around us. Look at the flowers. Do you see the bee sharing? Intimacy is everywhere. I want us to enjoy sensuality in everything we see, touch and taste. Have you ever had passion fruit? It is sweet but you must take your time sampling the nectar.”

Puzzled by her statements, he listened and tried to understand what flowers had to do with making love.

“These past few weeks we have been connecting in a special way. I don’t want to feel rushed with you. Look at this flower. When the sun rises, the flower chooses to open its petals blossoming and revealing its beauty. There is something poetic about the opening of a flower. What do you think will happen if you force the flower open?”

“It will break.”

“Yes and lose its beauty. Can you let me blossom in your sunrise?”

“Yes! Of course…”

“I enjoy you. I like when people only speak when they have something to say and not just talk to take up space.”

“Why are we in your yard love?”

“I want to share with you the many ways to make love. There is the physical but there is also the spiritual, the mental and emotional…Touch this tree. Do you feel the energy? Listen, can you hear it speak? When you touch me, I want you to pay attention to the way the breath flows through my body. I want you to listen and pay attention to the non-verbal language that I will share with you. Do you hear what I’m saying to you?”

“I’m listening.”

“What do you hear?”

“I hear the symphony of life.”

“Everything is connected. We are connected now. Without touching, we can allow our spirits to enjoy the passion dance. Are you ready for that? When I make love, I do it completely. Creating love is refreshing. Can you be refreshing?”

“I can celebrate the present with you. I like the way you look at things, life. You’ve turned your backyard into a sensual place.”

“We are making love right now. I’m loving you and you are loving me. We are exploring the depths of our souls passionately. Is this what you had in mind?”

“I wasn’t sure where we would be right now. But your first words aroused me and you had my complete attention.”

“Now that you have explored the energy around us, touch me. Can you feel the power between us?”

“Yes. It is refreshing.”

“How?”

“Well, you aroused me in a different way. My whole being is sensitive to your words. I can feel your thoughts inside me.”

The meeting was unexpected. We stood next to each other at a promo event. We smiled then touched. I felt energy pass from the small of her back to my hand.

“Strange,” I thought.

There was no set up. No deep discussion on life. No exploration of souls. Just one touch…

I wondered if she felt what I felt or if my mind was playing a trick on me caught up in a creative fantasy. But, then we touched again and the energy became stronger. It caught my attention and I wanted to ask,

“Did you feel that?” But, I didn’t.

She was a professional. In a field that interest me. We started talking in mixed company.

She said “do you remember me? We met at that party a few years ago.”
I replied “yes.”

I remembered her but we did not speak. She walked around and I was performing but our paths did not cross. It was one of those moments when you want to speak but can’t because of the circumstances. I remember thinking that I was curious about her energy. Her aura was different. Inviting. Familiar?

So we continued talking about the night we first met and our mutual friend. Before I knew it, we exchanged contact info. She entered her info into my phone then asked

“How do you enter the @ sign on your phone?”

I came over and showed her. Because of the way she was sitting, I had to reach over her to show her how. Our bodies touched and the energy intensified. I moved away because I didn’t want to reveal that I was enjoying being next to her. We spoke about future business opportunities. After the event ended, I wanted to stay to talk with her but I had to leave…

I went through the motions of connecting through new media. I sent out the message “It was a pleasure meeting you.” Later she responded and shared a little. I did the same. She spoke of dreams and I became captivated with her thoughts. That night we spoke until the sunrise. The next night the same…

Weeks passed with us just sharing dreams and desires. One night she asked

“Do you believe in the 90 day rule?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Well men seem to need some time to appreciate the depth of a women’s mind.”
Laughing I said “Yes, it would seem so, but I don’t think you can create a rule. Some people send their representatives and don’t reveal their true selves until months later. Personally I don’t have time for playing games. Maybe there should be a nine to twelve month rule.”
“Reginald, Are you showing me your true self?”

Soon we were talking about meeting.  In our conversations we spoke about life, love, family, relationships, community and the arts.

I told her one night, “The way you look at life makes me think you are an artist.”
“I am. I want to be more of an artist. I am releasing more and more, slowly though, but more than I used to…”
“Visualize and Implement.”
“I hope to be as free as you.”
“This is your path.”
“I’m open to it…”

She was silent for a moment. Like a great composer, her silence was as effective as the melodies escaping her lips. She spoke calmly,

“Can a man and woman be friends if they are attracted to each other?”
“In my experience, no. I have not had a successful friendship with a woman where we have a mutual attraction.”
“Why can’t two minds appreciate each other without the complications of sex?”

I paused for a second then said “Would you want to hug me as a friend when we meet?” She laughed then said “No.”

The conversations intensify with each interaction but we have not met…yet

Stories release, relieve and heal…

Lately I’ve been focused on healing. It seems like life has surrounded me with reasons to heal.  I do my best to ensure I create music or use words that will inspire positive thought and hopefully change in the spirit. Am I successful? I don’t know… When it matters, I hope so.

I try to read, learn and understand the nature of humanity. I have little ones so my output is as important as the input. Recently, I noticed a series of opportunities to help in the healing process. Balancing between learning and healing became a challenge. Why? It is very important that the process is handled with love and care.

I do my best to listen with love that does not judge or question but simply seeks to understand. I keep repeating to myself, “love will find a way…” knowing that there are no guarantees but I’m hopelessly optimistic.

Giving positive reinforcement is part of the day to day. Aware that I’m human, I mix my ability to release using music with my awareness that an environment of love is what is needed.

Prayer seems only natural when healing. Having faith that the body and the mind will rejuvenate gives me strength to keep giving lovingly.

I try to take care of self in hopes that I will have the energy and succeed in nurturing others. Patience is my friend as I tend to the task of reducing the false sense of fear. I’ve faced this challenge of healing before, but this time I’m not alone. With a team of friends, family and strangers that pray, the healing has begun. A hand held, a hug felt, supporting gently and consistently.

I realize I must be strong. Healing can be draining but I replenish the spirit with love. The more I love, the more it multiplies.

As night falls on a day that was once bright, the hope is that the light will return.