I love being the worst player in the room.

Yesterday I was in the studio recording a couple more tunes for my project (that I'm finally finishing). One of them was a deep reharmonization of the tune "Pure Imagination," where the chords change every beat or two in a non-key, enharmonic way that sounds awesome but is challenging to read on the fly. While we were sight reading the chart my sax player, Jacam Manricks, got to his solo and played this (click link):

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8xqz44ub ... m9cqs&dl=0">https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8xqz44ubiqxkuzu4futhy/Pure-Imagination-ROUGH-03252025-Jacam-solo.mp3?rlkey=fqk3qaypvz0afuqduxba8iyyw&st=c15m9cqs&dl=0</LINK_TEXT>

And this was just the rehearsal. The real takes are even better. It takes Jacam until midway through the bridge to really get going, but what a monster player and ear. He was so good, in fact, that I decided not to even play a solo on that tune, but still include it in my project. No way I can compete.

During the experience I suddenly became overwhelmed with gratitude for the privilege and honor I have at this stage of my life to be able to play with such amazing musicians. At one point I just stopped playing and closed my eyes to let the music wash over me.

And after Jacam finished, Barry Finnerty (Miles Davis, Brecker Bros., Crusaders, etc.) serenaded me with a guitar solo that was also amazing. I don't deserve to be in the same room with these guys, but boy am I glad I was. It's great to be the worst player in the room.

It made me grateful for everyone I get to play with, but particularly Jacam. No matter our level or situation, we all have reasons to be inspired by our musical compatriots. It's just that I have better reasons than most. :)

What in your musical life inspires you?

The art of the humblebrag, I’m taking notes!

[quote="JTeagarden"]The art of the humblebrag, I’m taking notes![/quote]

Did that come off as a humble brag? I'm sorry. I swear I didn't intend it that way.

Sounds pretty good, for sure.

You should take a solo anyway. Sax players always get all the repetitions; that practice certainly helps.

Dana, you're a great player, and deserve your success!

I am particularly in awe of your having stopped playing COMPLETELY for many years, and coming back so well,I don't know how you could have let that side of you go unexpressed?

There's hope for all of us.

P.S.: Heard a good trombonist (Ben Lafo) last night as part of a sextet, hanging completely with the trumpet and tenor sax playing lines at 300 BPM, and in the middle register! Hat's off!

[quote="JTeagarden"]Dana, you're a great player, and deserve your success!

I am particularly in awe of your having stopped playing COMPLETELY for many years, and coming back so well,I don't know how you could have let that side of you go unexpressed?

There's hope for all of us.

P.S.: Heard a good trombonist (Ben Lafo) last night as part of a sextet, hanging completely with the trumpet and tenor sax playing lines at 300 BPM, and in the middle register! Hat's off![/quote]

Thank you. I'm an okay player. I feel like an imposter. A poser. Someone who can do enough to fool people.

As for a creative outlet, during my 30-year break I did try some things to express myself, to perform, to get up in front of an audience and entertain them. I even dipped my toe in the water of being a magician.

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I didn't like it. It wasn't music. It wasn't art. It wasn't true expression. It was a cheap imitation of art for nerds and hacks with little to no talent or lives. I just ended up frustrated.

I think sincerity should lie at the heart of everything you do in life: If you don't have a magician's soul (whatever that might be), you're never going to bring your best effort to learning and making magic, this applies equally well to pretty much everything you do.

For reasons probably best plumbed by a trained therapist, I am a one-man, life-long hate machine regarding the music of Jimmy Buffett: If I could purge the earth of one thing, it would be his music and his loyal followers, closely followed by malaria, influencers, and Pol Pot.

Even here, I assume JB brought an earnestness to what he did: He liked his music, he was sincere about it, and he always gave his best effort.