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What’s a leader if he isn’t reluctant?

Check out my sis and her husband’s group, Cosmic Kaz & the Muso. Fall in love with their music. Proceed to throw copious amounts of money their way (buy the single!!)

April showers brought May flowers.

“The worst part about fighting with yourself is that even if you win, you lose”

Oops.

This last week has been hectic.

Rewind to last Saturday. My group scored a spot at Wally’s Jazz Club during their new afternoon hours. A few days before, my pianist had to find a sub for us, but we ended up finding someone and the hit was a success. The next morning, I traveled out to Newton and played at a SGI discussion meeting. This is my second time playing for them, and I enjoyed myself just the same. Had rehearsals from 7PM - 11PM that night in Allston, and then I went back to Boston to play Capture the Flag with a bunch of friends. I met a man from South Africa who would be teaching at Berklee’s new SA building soon. I was going to go to sleep after that, but my friend Jon Pinson just got back in town for a little while, so I somehow made it to where he was staying and listened to him + Mario Castro play beautiful music at 3AM… 

No school Monday, the Boston Marathon was happening. Wandered around Boston with my homies Zwe and Charles. Mario was having his CD release at the Regattabar the next day, so I headed to his place to hear his group rehearse with what he called the “Choir of AMOR.” Good food, beautiful music, beautiful people… They rehearsed a composition of his I really like. I almost cried during it, it touched me that much. Had to leave to catch another rehearsal, but this is after the choir finished so I wasn’t too upset I couldn’t stay.

Enter Tuesday. I’ve been playing with my boy Isaac for his drum lessons. We started with Straight Street. The bassist hadn’t shown up until a half-hour into the lesson. I think we played Tadd’s Delight for a bit after that. And then the teacher, Neal Smith, pulled out sheet music. Before even seeing it, I immediately panicked. I don’t read too well (yet), but I knew the sheet he gave me wasn’t transposed for alto sax, meaning I would have to sight read + transpose the notes on the spot. Something I had not extensively practiced (even though I promised myself I would…) So, after playing a bunch of stuff I was rather proud of, I fell on my face because I couldn’t read the new song. Neal had asked us earlier in the lesson if we’d be able to make enough money to eat if we played outside. I said “I’d make enough to eat.” And then he asked me the same question after I couldn’t read the new music… Very humbling.

I spent some time afterwards working on transposing. Specifically on that song. Listened to a bit of Mario’s CD before his concert, I didn’t want to spoil everything. I was so excited. Got ready to leave, and saw that traffic was crawling in the the direction I needed to head. Of course it was. Got on the bus, ran into Anna, one of my best friends who happened to be singing in the Choir of Amor. She’s been extremely busy for the longest time, but I’ve been seeing a lot of her lately. That makes me happy. Mario’s concert was incredible. Beautiful is an understatement. I enjoyed it so much… Wow. Had a rehearsal at 10PM, but I decided to show up a little late so I could get dinner with Anna, my brother, and some other great friends from school. After that rehearsal, I headed to Mario’s place, I knew they would be partying. I did a lot of listening, played a little. Left around 1:30AM. Zwe said “get home safe.” I live only six or seven minutes away from where we were, but I said thanks and wished the same for him. It’s time to end another great day.

About three minutes after that, I was at the intersection of Huntington and Mass Ave. A beige SUV turned the corner onto Huntington. Someone in the backseat yelled “what’s up, nigger?” And just like that, my happiness was gone. I went from wonderment to anger to sadness and crying. Somewhere during the anger, I threw my saxophone case. I knew right away that was a mistake, but it was too late to fix that problem. I went home and just laid in my bed.

Actually, I don’t feel like writing anymore. I’ll follow up this post later.