Sometimes the best way to move forward toward your goal is, for awhile, to go sideways, backwards, or even nowhere at all. Linear thinking has fostered an obsession with laser-like “orientarianism” where, if you’re not going in a “beeline,” you’re without a purpose. However, I beg to differ. We’ve taken the soul, and hence the life out of water by…
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The 'Bulk' Starts Here
Bulk copies of Understanding MMS: Conversations with Jim Humble, are now a reality. I received the first shipment yesterday, promptly filling orders for over 400, with another 300 shipped today. The packet sizes are 10, 25, 50, 100, and 150, and unit price range is from $6.50 (for 10) each to $3.33 each (for 150). Price includes nothing but the…
Read MoreMMS Video Documentary: Gettin' Real and Near
All the talk about MMS and Pepsi Cola has gotten me thirsty for a progress report on on the production of Understanding MMS: Conversations with Jim Humble. Yesterday I produced a DVD of the rough cut of the video. The run time is 1 hr 48 minutes! This one is for Frances Keyes, who is handling translation, and Marion Meadows,…
Read MoreSun Ra Pathways Memories
Gallery Entrance, originally uploaded by phaelosopher. Last November, I spoke at the Traveling the Spaceways Exhibit and Symposium, at the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago. This exhibit honored the work of Sun Ra, and my dad, Alton Abraham. For all the influence that Sun Ra had on music, and on human consciousness, through his music, Alton made it possible,…
Read MoreJeff Lorber and Brian Bromberg at the Buttes, Pt. III
The last of this series. Here, the duo perform the title tune from Lorber’s CD, “He Had a Hat.” [googlevideo=”http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5715575071379701782″] Before they start, I included some comments that Bromberg shared with the audience, that everyone should hear. Children are naturally creative (as are adults). The difference is that children do not naturally stifle their creativity. Our education system does that…
Read MoreJeff Lorber and Brian Bromberg at the Buttes, Pt. II
This was a special night because the artists allowed us to capture the magic of that one performance, which is rare these days unless you’re paying $50 a seat or more. The beauty is that every performance is unique, and carries its own magic, if the artists bring it. [googlevideo=”http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6553050162096726120″] In my first entry on this event, I mentioned that…
Read MoreJeff Lorber and Brian Bromberg Perform at The Buttes
Radio station KYOT (95.5 FM), the main listening stop for smooth jazz in the Phoenix area, is heavily involved in promoting the genré via concert series and performances throughout the year. They have formed alliances with some of the fine hotels or resorts around town and created a place for their jazz and live music loving listening audience to get…
Read More'Truth' A Video World Premiere
My earlier reference to muscle testing as a way to discern truth led to additional thoughts, which I began writing in Scriptware, a screen writing software program I use for voice over narration. One thing led to another, and a remarkable video came into being. I have christened it, “Truth.” [googlevideo=”http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9035171018429514647&hl=en”] Whether you agree or disagree with the words, if…
Read MoreVideo: Zen and the Art of Skateboarding
Talk about ships crossing in the night… and in broad daylight no less! The deadline for submissions to Panasonic Corporation’s Share the Air video contest was January 16 (yesterday), and mine is on its way. A week ago I went out to the local skate park in Chandler, where I had met Kevin Cornwell, a veteran skateboarder for 23 years,…
Read MoreVideo: 'Life Rhythms' – Drumming in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park
While I suspect that it is a great place to live, San Francisco is a wonderful city to visit, which I’ve done on several occasions. I’ve had the pleasure of not only seeing, and driving across the Golden Gate Bridge, but of walking across too (both ways). Of course, neither the Golden Gate, nor Fisherman’s Warf are the only attractions.…
Read MoreTraveling the Spaceways Video Intro from The Hideout (Chicago)
Although I’ve got plenty to write, I’m really likin’ this video thing. I’m still learning what works best for different situations. For example, YouTube has a 10 minute limit (may have as much to do with attention span as with space requirements). This will do for most situations, but Google Video doesn’t have that limit. So today, here’s another one…
Read MoreSun Ra Book Sparks Interview Invitation on KPFT Houston
Tomorrow I’ll be on the radio as guest interview on Living Art, with Robert Pruitt, over KPFT FM 90.1 (PACIFICA RADIO) in Houston, TX. Robert purchased a copy of our book, Sun Ra: Collected Works Vol. 1 — Immeasurable Equation (ISBN 0-9700209-7-X, PHAELOS BOOKS $24.95), enjoyed it and emailed with with an invitation to be on his show. In fact,…
Read MoreMy First Marion Meadows Video
Marion Meadows is a smooth jazz performer of some reknown, and today, I can also call him a friend. Over the past year, we have gotten to know each other on a personal, as well as professional level. He’s good people, and a great saxophonist. I have had the great fortune for Marion to open his world to me and…
Read MoreThoughts on Sun Ra in Downbeat (12/2006 ed.)
In my exuberance in sharing my recent experiences in Chicago with the wonderful people behind the Sun Ra exhibit (Hyde Park Art Center), I almost forgot to mention that the December issue of Downbeat magazine hit the street with a cover story about, guess who? Sun Ra, of course. Specifically, it is an excellent article written by John Corbett, about…
Read MoreGeorge Benson Headline's KYOT's 12th Smooth Jazz Sampler Release
By Special Invitation PHOENIX — A phone call yesterday from my friend, saxophonist, Marion Meadows, led to a fun evening at the posh Barcelona restaurant in Scottsdale. Radio station KYOT (95.5 FM) released Smooth Jazz Sampler Volume 12 with a gala event attended by more than 500 people. Jazz guitar legend George Benson, who contributed a track on the new…
Read MoreChicago Wrap-Up
CHICAGO — We’re up before dawn, and preparing to return to Phoenix after a wonderful time with family, and friends, both old and new. Over 700 people attended the “Traveling the Spaceways” Symposium at the Hyde Park Art Center over this past weekend. The music and entertainment was superseded only by the great vibe of the Center, its Curators, and…
Read MoreSun Ra Symposium Rocks
CHICAGO — The Traveling the Spaceways symposium at the Hyde Park Art Center was a rousing success! Although Mayor Richard M. Daley was a no-show Friday night, the howling wind and rain tempered anyone’s attempt to raise a judgmental eyebrow at him. The people who came were impressed with the Art Center, and with its signature exhibit.n spite of the…
Read MoreChicago Embraces Sun Ra (Finally)
CHICAGO, IL — This week we’re in Chicago, where I’ll participate in a symposium for the art exhibit, “Traveling the Spaceways”, at the Hyde Park Art Center. The exhibit and symposium explores the topic of Sun Ra, and “will investigate the impact of Sun Ra and Afrofuturism on American history and visual culture.” I was invited in part, due to…
Read MoreThe Responsibility of 'Free Speech'
NOTE: The following piece is from my book of essays, titled: A Freed Man: An Emancipation Proclamation (ISBN 0-9700209-0-2). I wrote the original manuscript 10 years ago, but the subject matter remains timely today.
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