Review of Sam Rivers Trio Concert - 4/4/02 - Ceremony Hall, Austin, TX

Thought I'd share this with friends & family

Ok, this may sound corny, but I believe God showed me
how my life could turn out last night.

My uncle Brian and I went to a jazz concert at
Ceremony Hall, near Hancock Center, to see the Sam
Rivers Trio. 
[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Bdq6ftr89kl3x]


Sam Rivers is an amazing musician.  He is 78 years old
and is still active, spry, and creative.  He projected
an energy about the music and the crowd that bespoke a
profound love of people and expression.  He introduced
a composition titled "Beatrice" as the performance's
encore, by explaining that it is named after his
"lovely wife of 55 years, Beatrice..."  So his love
for his spouse is obviously invaluable to him.  He
didn't mention religion, but the performance was in a
church, and there was definitely a current of a higher
power at work in the crowded room.

There he was, sharing and exploring.  The music had to
be some of the best jazz played on the planet last
night!  Unless Sonny Rollins was playing somewhere,
this was definitely the best saxophone player in the
world last night.  And the message, at least as I
received it, was of love and wonder and joy.

It is incredibly presumptuous of me to say this, but
that's what I want for myself.  I want to be able to
share like that, and earn at least a modest income
from it, and to project and channel that kind of
energy.  I just got the feeling that this man loves
life, loves those around him, and loves his music. 
And I know where that energy comes from!

I entered the show feeling sad because I never got to
see Joe Henderson perform live (he died hours before
my Grandfather Turk -- June 30, 2001 and July 1,
2001).  Also I was sad because Sam Rivers is elderly
and may not be able to perform like that for many more
years... but once the music started, all my sadness
fell away, and I was focused on the energy, the
technique, the expression, the vulnerability, the
passion, and the groove.  The music varied from
abstract to melodic and lyrical to atonal and to raw
emotional energy... I've never seen anything like it. 


The two musicians who joined him alternated
instruments, so there was a variety of voicings.  The
drummer also played tenor sax and piano.  The bass
player switched between electric bass, acoustic
upright, and bass clarinet.  Their names are Doug
Matthews and Anthony Cole.  When there were three
horns together, sax, sax, and bass clarinet, it was a
wonderful delight.  How lucky each of us who were in
the audience were to experience that weaving of
voices!

Most likely I will never be as technically proficient
or musically varied as Sam Rivers, but I do feel
capable of the passion and the love that was so
abundant last night.  I do feel that with practice and
discipline and experimentation, that I can develop my
own sound and message.

I've got to buy a better sax!  I've got to get an
acoustic guitar and a drum set!  And some recording
equipment!  Actually, first I need to quit smoking,
but with all that's going on right now I'm trying to
go easy on myself at least until I'm adjusted to my
new circumstances.

But the love... that's to be treasured, shared, and
nurtured!  The music, for all its exploration, has its
root in the communication of love (and other feelings)
and as it lays seeds in the audiences' hearts and
minds, and stimulates their souls, its obvious that
God is with us when it is shared.

I'm so happy and hopeful!

Peace,

Rob