Jazz 101: Education For Your Ass!

Jason Davis and Candace "Mahogany" Miller kicked off Jazz 101: Jam Session at Buttons Restaurant in Addison, Texas on Sunday night to show off jazz in its purist form. The band, hosted by Candace "Mahogany" Miller, will perform and invite musicians on stage to jam.

This week, gifting us with music from Miles Davis' 1969 recording, "In a Silent Way," Jamil Byrom (drums), Jonathan Fisher (upright bass), Eric Willis (piano), Joseph Yusuf McCowan (congo drums) and bandleader, Jason Davis (alto sax), were true to form and proved, once again, what real jazz music is supposed to sound like.

Then there's vocals. Mahogany--where antithetically--raspy, raw passion and honey surrender to create the most sultry, soulful/jazz thunder on the planet. I would be remiss if I didn't note that, more than just singing, Mahogany's voice is a movement that vibrates to your very core. When she opens her mouth, her breath mists lyrics that marries the music effortlessly, and forces you to dance, sing along, groove or make love to..musical beauty. She. Can. Sang.

Early on, a vocalist and drummer joined them to jam.

The restaurant, Buttons, was the perfect venue for tonight's jam session. The ambiance was an appropriate oxymoron of sports, food and live music that blended smoothly to create an eclectic warmth. Their skillfully quirky menu offered an abundance of pound-gaining dishes. However, the eclectic ambiance did not appeal to an eclectic palate that would probably appreciate meatless dishes besides salads.

Not a deal breaker.

Join the band and Mahogany each week at Buttons where they will be schooling folk every Sunday until, hopefully, the 1st of Never.

Up next week: Jazz Divas. Friend Jason Davis and Mahogany The Artist on Facebook for updates and schedules.

Ball of Confusion!

I know I need to post more regularly than I do. It's almost the end of the year and I haven't posted since July. One reason, information is coming at me so fast, it's hard to keep up. Technology is great. I love it more than the next guru or geek, but it's becoming overwhelmingly confusing...and not how to execute it, but what to access, buy, download or trust!

Oh well.

Instead of trying to catch up, I decided to do a recap of the year in areas that grabbed and held my attention, and that I feel compelled to comment on.

With any luck, I'll be more consistent in 2012. Or not. Daily, I drain my brain to produce words that make people...move. I hope my followers keep me accountable. Blogging has just not reached the top of my, "I'm on deadline" list.

Here's my non-assuming recap of living in 2011:

Politics: The rise and fall of Herman Cain (what was that?!) was more like the rise and fall of politics. I'm sure I share my opinion with other Black . . . other people, period. It's becoming comical.

Entertainment: Sports, fashion, celebrities and their baby daddies, baby names and baby bumps seemed to be world news all over the Inet. Is our society so caught up in entertainment that we forget to report/demand other more significant news? Let's do better in 2012.

Technology: Steve Jobs died. Sad. His legacy however, brilliant. I have an iPad. Haven't used it yet. Afraid to. Scared to get addicted. But I plan to (use it and become addicted). When I do, I'll let you know how I like it.

Also, I'm starting to get irritated with the information overload that's been plaguing my Inbox, phone, Wall, feed, etc. (I meant, my brain. See?) With so much coming toward me at once, it's difficult to keep up. Where's the app for what I need?! When I figure that out, I'll create it, then blog about how rich it made me. (Unless a two-year old develops it first.) Technology is not slowing down is it?

Social Media: Ironically, I think it's causing followers, fans, friends and links to become just the opposite: anti-social. Why would I attend college, networking events, a movie, concert; go out on a date; visit a library or museum, shop with friends, etc., when I can attend tele-classes and Webinars; watch homemade instructional videos and Netflix, join a tweet-up, stream, chat; go out on a virtual date, have phone interviews, telecommute..oh my! It's all at my finger tips..at home. #signofthetimes.

Health: Two words: natural wellness. Otherwise, you're dying to get well at the hands of pharmaceutical companies. Is it just me? I seem to have noticed people connecting with nature more, opting for yoga, walking, running and tai chi instead of machines in the gym. Also, more than ever, I'm seeing vegetarians surface and foods that cater to a meatless diet. Hobby? Or here to stay?

Weather: Scary.

Living: Is anyone really living? Or are you watching reality shows engaging in wishful thinking? Define living for yourself in 2012 and make sure that you do whatever it takes to Live What You Love! I Do!™

Until next time. . .
Live What You Love! I Do!™