Wayne's Magical World

I went to see Wayne Shorter’s quartet last night, the now classic band that he’s had for more than 10 years. This is the second time I’ve seen them, and it was equally as good as the first. There’s something magical about this band. They’ve received a lot of praise and recognition over the last several years and they absolutely deserve it – and more. Watching them in action last night, I witnessed something quite unique – there’s nobody really doing what these guys do.

First of all, the music is so abstract, yet they are playing forms and structures. It’s free, yet it’s tied to the jazz conventions of melody and harmonic structure. They have a repertoire, but no set programme – sometimes compositions appear, are touched upon, only to disappear again. At other times a piece is explored for more than twenty minutes. There are solos of a kind, yet they are all collective – for a moment it seems one or the other of the quartet will be soloing, only for one or more of the other members to become involved and take over.

Over the course of the performance the music evolves organically in front of your eyes. I HATE to use this cliché, but in this case it’s absolutely the correct one -  at a concert by the Wayne Shorter Quartet, you are taken on a journey. The performance last night began in what seemed to be unfocussed meandering, with each member fluttering in an out of the music. It was hard to grasp any underlying or unifying structure, and you could be forgiven for believing that the band were unable to find any kind of forward motion, and were just noodling. But slowly, yet inevitably, the music began to become both more cohesive and yet mutate into something else. As a listener you got the sense of some greater structure rising out of the four constituent parts, yet being unable to put your finger on how this was being done.

And this is the magic of this band – the way they can collectively create something singular that is comprised of the four constituent parts. Something that is not pre-conceived, yet can attain the most formal structure, a structure that is created by the free-flowing narrative of the band. It’s an extraordinary balancing act, and one that can only be achieved by a) a band that has been together for this long, b) has such great virtuoso musicians within it, and c) is led by a genius….

And Wayne really is a genius, under even the strictest meaning of that overused word. Apart from the compositions themselves, his ability to guide the band simply by what he plays is extraordinary. His timing is perfect, his entry and exit points are masterful. And the choice of notes…… his ability to play such unexpected notes in relation to the underlying harmony, yet always remain lyrical is unique – nobody else can do this like he can.

And the band are perfect – Danilo Perez almost seems like the MD, free to start something, or suggest something or take the music in any direction he wants. Wayne allows him to do this, yet, by dint of his playing, remains in complete control of the ultimate direction of  the music. Brian Blade is the dramaturge in the band – his use of dynamics thoroughly energises the music, and when he really gets going, it’s one of the greatest sights in contemporary jazz drumming. And John Patitucci is the unsung hero of this band. The way he interweaves his lines with the other guys, while holding the bass function down is masterful. He knows exactly when to go and when to stay. When Blade slips off the metric grid in one of those blazing attacks, Patitucci will fix it in a split second. He is a virtuoso bassist who puts his virtuosity completely at the service of the music

Wayne is 80 this year and still looks and sounds strong, with no seeming diminution of his powers. But all humans are mortal and so if you get a chance to see this group – a group that will definitely be spoken of as one of the great bands of jazz history – you should go, and avail of the opportunity to see something unique and magical. The following video clip gives just a glimpse (but only a glimpse), of what will be in store for you.

Orrin Evans!

How could I have missed out on the music of Orrin Evans for so long!? Yes I was aware of his name, I knew he was a member of Tarbaby along with Eric Revis and Nasheet Waits, both of whom I'm very familiar with. I also knew he was the leader of the highly regarded Captain Black Big Band, but somehow, I'd never checked him out. And I think it's true to say that on this side of the Atlantic he's not so well known  - certainly in comparison to some other pianists. But having listened intently for the first time last night, I've come to realise that this guy is a major contemporary jazz pianist and I can't believe I've missed out on his music for so long.

But the one good thing on missing out on something good, is that you get the pleasure of real discovery, and this is what happened last night when, on an iTunes browse, I came across his trio recording 'Flip the Script' - and what a recording it is......

Evans plays with Ben Wolfe on bass and Donald Edwards on drums, in a programme of mostly his own compositions, and it's a powerful and creative piece of work, full of things to admire. In a time when so much contemporary jazz features medium tempo, straight 8s, vaguely melancholy pieces, the sheer variety of this trio recording is very refreshing. Both ends of the tempo spectrum are explored extensively, and it's so bracing to hear both very fast tempos and very slow tempos being played fearlessly, and with such panache. One of the reasons that musicians don't play these tempos so much is because they're both really hard to do! Evans' trio eat up the challenge of this and pretty much everything else. Evans creates very interesting compositions, all of which have some wrinkle or other that differentiates them from the run of the mill jazz ditties that are so often churned out in this idiom. And they really swing - burning jazz piano trio playing of the first rank.

There's one other little kink in this recording that i really enjoy, and that is, strangely enough, that the piano is not the best instrument I've ever heard. It's definitely suffering in some places, but somehow that works for the recording, giving it a kinship with earlier piano recordings where it was not always possible to get a perfect instrument for your recording  - try McCoy's 'Ebony Queen' as an example of what I'm talking about. Not that the Evans recording's piano is as jangly as that on the McCoy recording, and I'm sure most pianists would always want the best piano they can get, but somehow that edginess to the piano adds to the cutting edge of the music - especially on the uptempo pieces. At least to me!

Having listened to this recording it's a mystery to me how I could have missed out on Evans for so long - after all he's very highly regarded in the US and is Grammy nominated, placed second in the Monk competition etc. - but somehow his star is lower here than it should be. Hopefully that will be rectified soon -  I know my lack of knowledge of his work is going to be rectified immediately!

Here he is talking about 'Flip the Script' - if you haven't checked Orrin Evans out already and you love great jazz piano playing, then do yourself a favour and have a listen

The Moneyless Tribe Becomes Reality

It's been weeks since I've had net access.  Still little time to write here.

Darby, MT

The moneyless tribe is now reality, dream materialized!  I am walking with 5 amazing people (Cody, Summer, Brandon, Javier, and Mika) in abundance.  We're in Darby, MT now, on our way to Missoula.

From the East Coast to Montana

What a whizzing whirlwind it's been.  Last I blogged, I was in CT.  I hitched to eastern New Jersey and couldn't get a ride out, & was seriously doubting I could make it to MT for even the Rainbow Gathering to launch of the moneyless tribe, much less to meet the appointment with the British film crew, Me & You Productions, in Billings beforehand.  I finally found a library to contact the Brits, and it turned out they were in NYC at the time.  So they picked me up and put me on a bus to Billings!

Before I got to Billings I had a clear vision that I'd meet up with Cody and Phil as I walked away from the bus station (They didn't have a clue when I'd arrive in Billings, or even if I could make it).  But I arrived, and walked a couple blocks from the station.  I saw a couple folks who looked street smart and thought I'd ask them where the library was.  As I got a few feet closer, I saw that they were Cody and Phil!  I felt a great sense of relief and gratitude.  Cody, who had lived moneyless for a year and a half, went back to using a little money for a while.  He still had a little stash, as well as a car his mother insisted he bring.  We discussed whether or not he could ditch the car in Billings or just bring it to Rainbow and give it to somebody there.  We opted for the second option, especially since we ran into a couple (Matthew and Ashley) hitching to the Rainbow who needed a ride.  I also thought it would provide a great means to bring massive amounts of recycled food to the Gathering.

It turned out Phil decided he wasn't ready to do the moneyless tribe thing, and he ended up leaving.  I felt sad about that, but such is life.  I was so grateful Cody was with me, because the idea of launching a moneyless tribe by myself at Rainbow was feeling overwhelming.  Cody and I set up camp at a beautiful spot near the river with Matthew and Ashley.  We would stay there until the Brits arrived for filming. 




An Idiot Abroad

Karl Pilkington

Funny, the British TV thing.  Originally, I'd thought they wanted to do a documentary.  But I finally had time to look them up at the library and realized they were the crew of "An Idiot Abroad", starring
Karl Pilkington,  a very popular "reality show" in both Britain & the US.  "What am I getting myself into?!" I thought.  I felt strong misgivings about agreeing to do this, quickly losing heart.  I met the producers and film crew at a fancy hotel, but not Karl.  Karl wouldn't meet me until the next day.

The next day we met at Pioneer Park.  Karl hadn't eaten since the evening before and was feeling cranky & tired from hypoglycemia.  So I gave him some granola and trail mix I'd foraged from dumpsters, and he became happy.  He ended up interviewing me for an hour or more about the philosophy of moneyless living and about the idea of happiness (the episode's theme was "happiness").  I liked Karl and his sincerity and inquisitive spirit, and thought, "I feel good about this after all.")  Then the film crew prodded us to walk & do  my Billings routine.  So I took Karl dumpster-diving.   We found pizza, more granola, a Dutch apple pie, some chicken, a pair of nice jeans Karl's size, and picked up a couple wool sport blazers from a thrift store dumpster (since Karl was cold).  And, since Karl had no sleeping gear, we went to another dumpster and found a warm blanket.  Karl was amazed at every find, at its utter synchronicity, and kept asking me and the film crew if we had set it all up beforehand.  Of course we didn't, I and they kept telling him.

There's much more that happened, but hopefully you can watch it when it airs in the Autumn (October, I think).  Karl was hilarious.  What I discovered is that Karl didn't at all put on an act.  He's totally himself.  And the film crew staged absolutely nothing, which surprised me to no end.  They let Karl and I decide everything that happened.

It turned out grand fun, but I was relieved when it was all over with.  But there was to be more to come...

To the Rainbow Gathering

Location of the Moneyless Tribe, overlooking Rainbow Gathering

We arrived at the Rainbow Gathering near Jackson, Montana.  We didn't even have to look for a camp for the moneyless tribe - it basically called us.  The first place we went, up on a ridge overlooking the gathering, we found really friendly, welcoming neighbors.  So we put our packs down and stayed.  Shortly afterward, a guy named White Dog set up his tee pee right by our moneyless tribe sign, and then built an inipi (sweat lodge).  The tee pee was visible from all over the gathering, a great marker showing where we were.  And I was so happy to be able to do sweat lodge right next door.

Suelo on July 4th Celebration

Cody & nieghbor, Lief

For days Cody and I wandered around, not knowing hardly anybody, since we were so early.  I kept having doubts nobody would show up and the moneyless tribe could be a flop.  On the other hand, I felt a bit freaked out about maybe 30 people showing up wanting to join.  Either way, I kept falling into doubts over the unknown.  I had already publicized it... and what would happen?  On top of all that, the Hungarian TV journalist, Hesna (Al Ghaoui Hesna) and her film crew were arriving to document the first couple weeks of the moneyless tribe!  It was testing my faith, my ability to remain grounded in the present.

Launching the Moneyless Tribe

Hesna, Hungarian TV Journalist

I put signs up around the gathering directing folks to the moneyless tribe camp.  Then I announced it at the dinner circle.  The next day we waited, and about 12 people showed up to hear what this was all about.  It turned out I mostly philosophized about it, since people were more interested in the philosophy of why we wanted to do this than the practicalities.  I felt it turned out very good, feeling quite inspired.  Within five minutes of everybody leaving, the Hungarian film crew arrived!  They set up camp near us and started interviewing immediately.

Tyler & me at the Rainbow Gathering

I also gave presentations the next 2 days.  About a dozen people showed up at each one, and I felt more on fire inspired, and so did everybody else, as we went.  He Hungarians filmed the second day presentation.  Also, our tribe members started showing up, one-by-one.  I can't describe the warmth and love and gratitude I was feeling.  I had been feeling so weak, so doubtful, so unworthy, so I knew this wasn't from me.  Skeptical pragmatists, think what you will, but I felt and feel the Divine Hand, which is not my doing, not from me.  One-by-one, Javier, Brandon, and Summer showed up.  They had been thinking of this months before coming, and we'd been in a bit of email contact.  Summer had actually been thinking about it for years. 

Brandon, Cody, Summer, with neighbors

Then three others, Tyler, another Brandon, and Trent, showed up to camp near us.  These three really want to join us on the walk, but can't until maybe later.  Then, on the last day of  the presentation, Mika showed up.  She had read the book and was amazed to find us at the gathering.  Her decision to join the tribe was most spontaneous.

Meanwhile, Hesna and her Hungarian crew, Adam and Irwin, were filming and interviewing each of us, as well as some potential members.  It was awkward and tiring having cameras on us all the time, but also fun.  I felt quite privileged for such an opportunity.  They also documented the first three days of us leaving.walking out of the gathering.

 

Javier, Cody, Summer, Suelo at July 4th Celebration

Javier

Mika

Giving away the Car and the last money

Cody and I befriended a woman, Mikara, at the Gathering, who was setting up solar showers, doing a good service.  It turned out she didn't have gas and didn't know how she would get to Eugene.  Cody gave her his last money, $120, and she cried tears of gratitude.  Then we met a couple with a baby who didn't know how they were going to get back to Las Vegas, and Cody signed his car title over to them.  It was beautiful to see how natural it was for Cody, how totally in sync he was with people's needs.

[Photos of tribe members taken by Tyler Whitney]

The Tribe Walks

Good hospitality in Jackson

We walked through Jackson, then to Wisdom.  We were so grateful to find that the cooks and proprietor at Rose's Cantina in Jackson were friendly and generous, giving us their excess leftover food along with smiles. I recommend going to Rose's Cantina fb page and 'liking' them.


Nasty hospitality in Jackson

It was so refreshing after dealing with many unbelievably unfriendly, inhospitable people in Jackson and Wisdom (in Beaverhead county for the most part), especially the people at the Hot Springs Lodge.  We simply asked them for food they were throwing away, and we graciously left, without defiance or rebelliousness, when they told us to not "loiter" in front of their resort.  Yet the police found us later and told us they had thrown us out.  Either they had blatantly lied to the cop or the cop was lying to us.  I am not surprised to see that Jackson Hot Springs Lodge has terrible ratings on the Internet!

That evening we had no place to sleep, so we crossed a fence in a cattle field, where there were no private property signs, and somebody else called the cops on us.  We ended up sleeping on swampy ground right by the road.

We figured things would get better walking into Wisdom.  Food-wise, it was good, as we retrieved quite a few cans of spaghetti sauce, potatoes, and a bag of pinto beans from the dumpster behind the Antler Saloon.  But the proprietor came out and scolded us, yelling, "get out of my dumpster!"  She said she would call the cops.  Only a few times in my life have I ever met such a hateful, mean-spirited human being.  It's surprising to see such folks that you think only exist in movies.  I asked her how on earth she thought we were hurting her or any creature on earth.   But we left, as she requested.  I didn't think she would be so vindictive to call the cops, but Mika said she was sure she would.  Later that evening, we found a free public place to camp by the river.  As we were cooking, the same cop from the previous night showed up and scolded us again.  The woman had actually called him.  The cop said he wanted us out of Beaverhead County ASAP, and I told him our wants were mutual, that I'd be out of this inhospitable place now if I could.  But Mika, thank God for her, later talked with him and smoothed things over.  He finally ended up being very nice and gave us granola bars and said it would be fine to stay another day, to heal up from blisters.  He was doing his job.  Police have to go out on calls when they are called.





Good Hospitality in Ravali County

We met a woman named Liz in Wisdom, coming from the Rainbow Gathering.  She offered to give us a ride, in collaboration with the Hungarian film crew, to the Ravali county line, at the summit.

The Hungarians stayed with us another day, filming and interviewing, and then left for their flight to Hungary from Missoula.

They left us with some food, including a couple cans of ravioli.  It was quite funny, because many days before I was joking with Cody and a couple others, saying, "we're going to eat ravioli in Ravali County!"  Lo and behold, ravioli was our very first meal in Ravali County.

We had several people offer us rides on our walk.

We were on a long stretch and I was thinking we, a tribe of 6, might have to skimp a bit, and everybody was prepared to maybe fast.  Yes, silly me, I was doubting that faith couldn't work as well for 6 as it would for just me.  We were also quite exhausted.

East Fork Bitterroot River

We then passed some trash cans.  I found some rubber cement, which I'd been needing, but no food.  We passed a field on the other side of the road with construction equipment in it, and a dumpster.  A couple of us said, "It's not worth it checking that dumpster.  Why would there be anything in it?"  A couple folks needed a rest, so we stopped.  I thought, "Oh well, I'll check that dumpster anyway," and I crossed the road.  It was chuck full of frozen food, not yet thawed!  Fish, sausages, tortillas, bread galore!  Out in the middle of nowhere.  We were astonished.  And we feasted for days on that food.  Never hungry.

Near Conner, we asked permission to camp on somebody's beautiful land near the river.  They came later that evening and brought us even more food.  They were 3 young guys, incredibly friendly and generous.

We walked on the next day, and now we're in Darby.  We've been camping in a park near the Mormon Church.  We decided to attend the Mormon Church yesterday.  Very friendly and sincere people there.  One of the women members, named Sherry, brought us lots of food last night.  A couple Mormon missionaries came later and brought us a Book of Mormon.  We actually had a good talk.

We were going to leave today, but I wanted to finally do some email and write this blog post.

So here it is.

I want to talk about each of the beautiful people in our tribe, Javier, Cody, Mika, Summer, and Brandon.  But it will have to wait.  I can't describe the warmth and gratitude I feel.





 

TRIBAL ARM TATTOOS FOR MEN

 

Tribal arm tattoos for men are probably one of those most common you will see today. Some guys feel that tribal designs show your manhood and strength and that is why you will often find them on well built men. Tribal tattoos for men can come in many different styles and placements on your body. When you are trying to find your perfect design always consider where you want to put it. Do you want an upper or lower arm tattoo? Do you want a full sleeve tribal design? Do you want your arm tattoo to wrap back on your shoulder? All of these questions should be answered when you are on search for your new tribal arm tattoo.

Try searching for tribal arm tattoos for men online to get an idea of what you would like to put on your own arm. Samoan, Chinese, Maida, and Egyptian styles of tribal are just a few of the options you have to choose from. Find something unique, and always be sure to find out if the tribal depicts a specific meaning. Although most people are not experts on tribal meanings, knowing what you put on your body is always the smart thing to do.

 Tribal arm tattoos for men are great ways to accent muscles and well built areas of your body. They represent strength and confidence so be sure stand behind all of your artwork you put on your body. Tattoos are forever, unless you want to waste your money and get it removed later. Tattoo removal surgery's can not only be painful but extremely pricey. Often time they will run at least twice as much as you paid to get the tattoo. Another option to consider is to work with a tattoo artist to cover up your undesired tattoo with a different design.

 Tribal arm tattoos for men can come in armbands or full arm wraps. If you go with a more traditional tribal design there will be much more swooshes and swirls than those of the Celtic tribal designs. Browse a lot of pictures and artist's catalogs before going to your tattoo artist to get your idea put on paper.

 Having a strong idea of what you want will make you more confident in getting the tattoo, and the artist more confident to give it.