Greetings my friends,
As I sit here at my desk in my office on December 31, 2012 I am thinking about how my year went on many different levels; professionally, socially, personally, spiritually.
Firstly I am forever grateful to have experienced all that I have this year and I trust the process of life that all was not for naught. We often gain insight in retrospect but how useful would it be to access the wisdom as it is happening. I truly think that skill is acquired when we’re not trying or looking and one is just in the moment. So, all that being said I have had many blessings and associations with many wonderful people and have been involved in a series of projects. Those people include Paquito D’ Rivera, Wallace Roney, Wycliffe Gordon, Rufus Reid, Akira Tana, and Ali Ryerson.
I recorded my first straight-ahead record on ZOHO Music and had Bill O’ Connell, Andy Eulau, Kim Plainfield, Chembo Corniel,Yasek Manzano, Todd Bashore, Wallace Roney, Kenwood Dennard, and Wycliffe Gordon playing on it. Thank you all one more time for your presence, musicality, support and love.Many thanks to Chris Sulit, Maureen Plainfield, Ed Littman, Jochen Becker,Jim Eigo, and Olga Luz for your support with the project.
I have had the privilege of jamming with Russell Malone, John Lee, James Gibbs, Carrie Jackson, Don Williams, Richie McCrae, John Robinson, Bertha Hope, Carton Holmes, and countless others at Crossroads and Robin’s Nest. A quick shout out to Robin from Robin’s Nest who is the best!Thanks to Carrie for inviting me to the photo shoot of the Jersey Jazz musicians taken by Tony Graves.
I jammed with Hubert Laws as well and played “Moment’s Notice.” As I was playing some of Hubert’s solo came out on a super conscious level. We were both surprised when that happened as well as the audience! The mind is a powerful tool!
I received another award from the organization , “Los Charangueros” in Miami for my contribution to Latin music in August.
I was also able to travel to San Francisco and play with the greats Murray Low, Dave Belove, and Phil Hawkins.
On a more personal note, a loved one passed and that was a huge life learning experience. It brought me right back to counting my blessings, whatever they may be , at the end of the day. I was able to clear my life of unwanted vibrations and people who have not served me well over the past couple of years but yet I wish them all my love.
So , at the end of this year, my most intense lesson has been that the most important thing in my life is to be happy ; to make myself happy. In order to do that I need to live and let live, be in the present, and stop stressing about the accomplishments and the ups and downs of this material world. My goal is to be at peace with myself , allow all, and delve deeper into my music to access my innermost feelings of my soul.
Be well, much love, and may you all have peace and true joy in your lives.
Andrea