Yes, what happens when the elevator/lift gets stuck for hours and hours? People begin to get to know each other a little better.

I thought I would start this thread in the hopes of getting to know us a little better. General stuff like career dreams or favorite Antartic rock bands are relatively safe topics. DNA and vital statistics are obviously not regarded as free information, so keep it light.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 10, 2004

Answers

I've always wanted to be a musician. At the age of 4, I would spend joyful times making noise hitting the piano keys my father kept in our 3 room house. Since that time, I've always wanted to have a career in music. I became a band director/music teacher; One day I will be involved in music. Or, I've been a happy music teacher for 2 years now; I've been a music teacher for 20 years, now.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 10, 2004.

A positive...

-- Luke Juarez (hubertdorm@yahoo.com), February 15, 2004.

Hi Rod,

I understand the feeling about music. Its been an important avocation of mine for over 25 years. Fortunately, I've had the opportunity to play (Jazz Trumpet) quite a bit over the years. Luckey to fall into a group of older musicians who weren't opposed to letting me sit in. Got my music education in the clubs. Today, it seems that musicians my age aren't as accepting of youngsters sitting in. Everyone seems so serious and insecure. I'm glad I didn't have to learn in the envirement that exists today.

Its great fun, and also frusterating and troubling. I'm doing it less frequently now as the people I usually play with don't like to go out at night any more unless its for BIG bucks. Not enough call for jazz to get the big bucks, so many fewer gigs. I'd still do it for free.

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), February 16, 2004.

Hi Jim.

Your post sounds like my bio. I've been gigging since I was 16, I'm 44 now. I used to write music for mass, too.

Jazz is a tough gig around here. The big sound is Tejano Music, which is basically "Music Tropical", but I won't be convincing the younger crowd of that. My band plays mostly country and Mexican music. But, I think jazz has always been my frustration. I also compose music for church and self.

I can't really say that I'm a trumpet player. My nack is in playing many instruments and it is true that old saying: "Jack of all trades, master of none".

My big time learning experience and paying gigs happened in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area back in 79-86. Every weekend kept me busy playing at some tough clubs. I'm surprised that I maintained my conservative nature around those rough and tumble groups. I played sax back then. I miss those days. Now, aside from my guitar leads, I'm involved in a string quartet at church. Talent has to mean something, so I aim it in my worship.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 16, 2004.

I hear you about going to late night gig. I worry about my band doing some touring. Leaving home to some faraway gig is not for me, I'm not 19 and crazy anymore. But, 44 and insane?? My motto is "We'll do the gig if we are getting paid."

Funny, my quartet played for a banquet--Winter Texans (they visit/live here during the cold season in order to get away from the ice). Then, that very afternoon, I had to rush over and play for the bishop's 20th anniversary. 1600 people were present, but I never got to see the bishop. Well, these back-to-back gigs show be that I'm not that 19 year old I used to be.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 16, 2004.

Oh, yeah. I met Cat Anderson back in 78(?). I held his grape soda while his photo was shot. I lost his autograph and who knows what happened to the photo?

Uh, Cat Anderson was the solo trumpeter for Basie....or was it Elington?

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 16, 2004.

Oops. "Ellington".

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 16, 2004.

Rod

I would have loved to have held Cat Anderson's grape soda. I'm a tremendous romantic. I'd have been spell bound. Many of my musical hero's were people out of Cat's generation. Most have passed. I came along too late.... But I won't complain,... any earlier and I might have ended up in Viet-Nam.

In the late 70's I got to know trumpeter Roy Eldridge. He used to play at club called "Jimmy Ryan's" on 54th St (moved from the famous 52'nd St.) in NYC. Friends schooling at Cooper Union in the village gave me a place to stay, and any time I was in New York I'd go and see him. He was very friendly and would make me feel like a friend. He'd tell me all the stories about how it was "in the day." He called the era when he started playing with white players "goin checker-board." After that, every time I see a Chess or Checker board, its more than just a board game... Its a Roy Eldridge story told in a smokey room with dingy red curtins...and I was there!

When I was growing up, one of my nun's trying to explain to us what heaven might be like suggested the closest we could come to understanding it, (outside of actually going there) was to be open to,... be aware, and recognise those "brief" experiences of true joy that we occasionally are treated to. Those moments with Roy made me think of Sister Marie Julie's description. Here I was in a dimly lit club, on its last legs, talking to aging jazz legend Roy "Little Jazz" Eldridge, and I'm thinking about Sister Marie Julie's analogy. Those were such rich memories that still make me feel happy 25 years after the fact.

Saw Sonny Rollins about 3 years ago in D.C., 70 yrs at the time and he still shining. Once again, I found myself thinking about Sister Marie Julie thoughts. I feel so lucky to have had such wonderful nuns. They unintentionally make me think about them every time I hear the music I love, or feel happy about something. Its amazing how powerful those childhood connections, be they unintended, can be. Could use a few of those moments again, seems like there were more of those little flashes of joy back then. I think maybe we get jaded as we get older, or perhaps less aware of blessed moments that fly by with out our noticing. Sometimes I think I'm sleeping through life. Note "sometimes" ... I'm usually somewhat conscious. Here's to Cat Anderson!

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), February 16, 2004.

Beautiful! Some call it the "secular world", I'm not so sure. God has His ways. And, I believe God touches those legends (Eldridge, and others) to bring us those joys in life. Cat Anderson was one of those men who cast a ray of joy. The man was very down to earth. When we spoke with him, he seemd like a long time friend. Then, he would put that trumpet to his lips. Yes, it took us to a whole new place. What's Heaven like? Hey, maybe we'll play some sessions with the best of the best?

That's very cool that you had those chats with those music movers, history makers.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 16, 2004.

That's true, Rod.

Music is not evil.

What people object to are the lyrics. I tried to learn to play piano. I quit. Yet, I still can read some music.

The Christian Yahwist.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), February 17, 2004.

Hey, Elpidio.

When I play the piano, people want me to quit. Just kidding.

Pickup a guitar and a chord book, it's much easier than trying to put a piano on your lap.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 17, 2004.

I will try, Rod.

I finally read your message.

John the Revealer just disappeared.

He probably did not want to reveal his name.

Like Jesus said: let your light shine before people.

The Christian Yahwist/The man of Yahweh

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), February 18, 2004.