Reboot

I am starting over at the beginning.

Musically, that is.

Our move to Virginia took a lot out of me — it drained away a lot of my time, and left me exhausted.  Finally, I’m back to something similar to normal.

However, I really need to practice.

So, I’m starting over at the beginning — the blues.

I’ve been playing along with the three Kings . . . B.B., Albert, and Freddie.  I’m studying everything that I can about their music — learning not only the guitar parts, but listening carefully to the drums, learning all the subtle bass tricks, and paying particular attention to the piano and other backing instruments.

I will spend a few weeks here, where it all began, then march forward back to jazz — through the expressive phrasing of Lester Young, the maniac intensity of Charlie Parker, and the soulful sound of Ray Charles.  Finally I’ll return to my homeland, the organists Jimmy McGriff and Jimmy Smith.

And from there?  New music.

It’s a long way off.  Having your life transplanted is a fairly intense experience.  But there’s no point in making new music just to make new music.  To find a path to the future, I have to dive into the past.