I Am That Groovy Speckled Mushroom That’s Growing in the Dark, Craving to be Harvested…

Y’know, reflecting upon the last three years, I'm one who hasn’t struggled with isolation during the pandemic. For me, a devout gregarious misanthrope, I’ve thrived creatively. Situation Fluxus came about in 2021, alongside my twelve-year show The Jazz Disturbance. They both exemplify the best of my work of almost thirty years. Wow. Only I can say that with certainty. But I know that I am incomplete without the fellowship and sisterhood that exists for someone like me with eclectic tastes and a somewhat divergent thinking process. All I can say is “I’m here, multiverse”.

Comin’ round the bend are announcements on upcoming festivals like the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN (March 30 – April 2), and the Savannah Music Festival in Savannah, GA (March 23-April 8). I’ll spare everyone my harangue on “Jazz” festivals filling up their marquee with non-Jazz all-stars like Erykah Badu, Dead & Company, three or four of The Jacksons, and Ed Sheeran (don’t start with me about the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.) But the realities of running a multi-day festival are that they’re as costly AF, so booking guaranteed ROI artists makes business sense. But (and I catch myself saying this as I’m sure some listeners have given me the virtual side-eye, questioning my musical selections for my shows), a Beyond Meat burger is not meat, no matter how much aioli sauce you slather on it. Stretching over those fictitious boundaries built around Jazz is healthy and necessary for the art form to continue to know itself, but I’ll have to pass on Tito, Marlon, and Jackie. They ain’t Jazz.

On some real jazzy notes, I’m finishing up my interview with 3/4 of the group East Axis (Brother Mister/Mack Avenue.) If pianist Matthew Shipp is part of the conversation, you know it’s gonna be interestingly deep. Also, I’ll be taking in some live music this week as I bound out of the house and look humanity straight in the eye…I’ll report back asap….