The Messenger

...One Step 

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" -Lao Tzu 

     This first blog is my story about that 'One step'.  Over the course of my many years playing piano and composing music I have encountered many obstacles in pursuit of those thousand miles.  It's a long and winding road to mastery in any musicians life and many Masters would say they are still not there. A phrase comes to mind that kind of sums it up..."It's not the destination, it's the journey" -Emerson.  Another quote reads "The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers." - Roy Ayers That quote resonates with me.  Musicians are the Messengers.  Each one with our own unique message to the world, about ourselves or about the world that we live in. 

     My 'One Step', then, was not my first piano lesson, or first piano recital, or first jazz composition. My very first Step (which I didn’t make until my 30’s) was my continued resolve to become the Messenger.  To use my Music as a vehicle of that Message and be lead by the inner voice(s) that inspire that Message.  And each new project I have created has challenged me to refine the message. 

     It takes time, energy and resources to create the musical space in any given project.  Music scored, lyrics written, performances captured and mixed, all must be in sync.  Brasiliana, my most recent recording, took 3 years, and certainly challenged my resolve to keep taking that step.  This project took more time, energy, and resources than I’ve ever given to a project.  But with each project, The Message has become clearer and clearer to this Messenger.  It's true, the first step is not a step towards a destination...it is a commitment to a lifetime Journey. 

Follow the links for a look at some of those messages in Brasiliana:

Danzon  Con Pasion  Samba Picante  Sambe de Romanza  Dao Dao  Exoticana  Rhapsodia  City Samba  Viaje al Mar  Moments Notice  Change the World