Occasionally something exciting happens, even if it’s only exciting to me! This is where you’ll find it. I hope to give you plenty of reasons to return.
12/14/21
Collaboration is the Highest Form of Flattery
In November I received a text from one of my favorite creatives, Mr. Rod McGaha. He continues to honor me with invitations to collaborate. This time the occasion was his first solo exhibition, featuring some his largest format photographic artistry to date! The last time we worked together he paired several of his existing pieces with my pre-existing poetry for a beautiful issue of In The Arts Magazine.
That went so beautifully that when I received a text from Rod saying, “OK . . . here we go:) Do you have anything for this?” I was ALL IN. This time the task was flipped. My mission — which I gladly (and humbly) accepted — was to create 4 original poems inspired by the theme and images of his show, We Stand. We Love. We Play. We Dance.
One thing that Rod and I have in common as humans, is that we love music in general, but jazz in particular. Mind you, Rod is a professional (and highly regarded) musician and I am merely an aficionado in the making, but rest assured I understood the assignment! As creatives, we share a love for tight deadlines, so the 5-day turnaround to write the pieces provided just the adrenaline rush needed to prevent procrastination!
Knowing that Rod’s show would feature not only his images, but his original music only added to the excitement of creating words fit for the occasion. I hope I accomplished that. As I mentioned, there are 4 original pieces, but I think “We Play” was his favorite, because the text in response to receipt of it was a cut and paste of the final 5 lines with an accompanying message that read, “Yes indeed!!!!!” As someone who holds Rod’s opinion and his (myriad) talents in high regard, I am beyond flattered at this gift of collaboration and inclusion. What a wonderful way to end 2021! I’ll share We Play, the shortest of the 4 pieces, with you here.
In addition to visiting (and shopping) his site, you should take a peek at his Instagram.
Part III: We Play
WE PLAY
the air
with our lips and nimble fingers
capture the wind
with breath and metered, puckered prayers
we
capture recollections in measures
cleverly flatten sharp moments
we
make believe joy
to existence
syncopate unhappy and render it glad
swing and scat away transgressions;
called by troubles we respond sublimely
Fire
shut up in our bones,
we
warm ourselves
(and others)
ignite and
set ourselves to music
our hearts escaping bony cages
we serve our worries Cajun-blackened,
browned to brass and blaring;
masters of improvisation,
WE PLAY
on . . .
Rod’s McGaha’s solo photography exhibition/concert in Nashville, TN, Nov. 6, 2021.
“Anxiety,” by Rod McGaha, 150″x120.” Available at rodmcgaha.com.
“We Stand,” by Rod McGaha. 91″ x 44.” Available at rodmcgaha.com
4/10/21
Getting The Band Back Together
Rod McGaha on trumpet, Nioshi Jackson on drums and Jonathan Wires on bass @ NJW, 4/14/21
It’s official. The word of the month is honored. This month several of my poems were featured in Mr. Ed Towles’ prestigious publication, In The Arts, alongside the work of photographer and jazz musician, Rod McGaha.
Imagine my surprise when Rod texted me recently, requesting narrated versions of pieces featured in our In The Arts collaboration. Seems that he was headlining a Nashville Jazz Workshop, Jazz From Home concert, which streamed on April 14. Rod is a long-time faculty member of NJW and popular artist in Nashville, a city rife with outstanding musical talent from every genre.
I met Rod and his wife in 2002, and he is one of the most creative folks I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, so naturally, I complied with his kind request and asked no questions, certain that the result would be both outstanding and surprising. The show, which may still be available on YouTube, is absolute performance art, and I am genuinely honored by Rod’s invitation to be a part of it.
One of my favorite parts of the evening, is the trio’s rendition of Here’s That Rainy Day, a tune I adore; which you already know if you’ve read or listened to The Velvet Hammer.
In addition to featuring Rod on trumpet, Jonathan Wires on bass ,and Nioshi Jackson on drums, this truly magical evening also showcases Rod’s photographic artistry, as well as a variety of musicians’ ruminations on what music means to them. Without a hint of bias, I contend that it is a delight to the eye, ear, and most importantly, the heart. It will hit you where your soul resides.
3/28/21
Just in time for National Poetry Month!
Spring has been good to me. Two springs ago I was perusing a courtesy copy of the The Briar Cliff Review, excited at my work having been chosen for inclusion in that issue. Last spring I was convalescing, ahead of schedule, from a major surgery, and this spring, I am doubly honored—to have my work featured in Mr. Ed Towles’ prestigious publication, In The Arts, and to have my poems accompanied in the issue by the beautifully inventive work of renowned jazz musician, Rod McGaha, who is swiftly and rightfully adding renowned photographer to his expansive résumé.
Grateful is the next word that comes to mind. The past year has left me taking inventory of a variety of things: calories and macros, to-do lists, post-its full of next big ideas, friendships, and the circles within which those relationships exist. I am honored to have very talented, very generous, fellow creatives in my social and professional circles. Today I am grateful to friend, writer, and editor, Regina Hoosier; wise and gracious designer, publisher, and fledgling flautist, Ed Towles; children’s author, visual artist, and unofficial life coach, Alica Martwick; and, of course, photographer and part-time, award-winning jazz trumpeter, Rod McGaha.
