Mozart's Birthday

Today is Mozart's birthday.  I know this because my birthday is always the day before his.   I suppose this makes me special?  I don't think so......    But I still feel it is an honor to have your birthday precede the birthday of one of the greatest composers of all time.   I love Mozart's music...   light, airy, full of humor and playfulness,  yet very deep and profound.   Although I AM a jazz musician by trade,  I am a wannabe classical musician.   I studied for three and a half years at San Diego State University and had the potential to succeed as a classical percussionist,  but I understood that my life was meant to be focused more in the jazz field.

The Zen book I'm reading stresses the importance of being authentic and true to your nature.   To know who you really are is very important,  especially when it comes to your inner self.   I feel NOW I am finally on the right track. 

For years I've been trudging along in my day job,  not really following my heart's desire which is playing music.   I have worked so hard to get to a point where I can express myself with a certain level of competence in playing jazz,  and at the same time find that I am good enough to where I can actually make money at it. 

And now I know the importance of expressing myself through music....   that the burning desire to perform music is there and that I just need to keep stirring it up.

I realized yesterday that I must either be an insomniac,  or I am a vampire bat...    I can't seem to sleep earlier than three in the morning!   I'm sure it was the Vegas shows that did it,  finishing at 3:00AM and not getting to bed until 5:00AM.   At least I'm napping in the afternoons.   *tsk tsk tsk*

Tomorrow is the band's performance at the NAMM show.   Although I haven't been logging in the hours in my journal,  practicing on the drums and practice pad (thinking it would be too boring to mention),  I really HAVE been practicing with intensity and passion,  getting ready for tomorrow's gig.  All the industry people will be there,  and it really IS a big deal,  and I'm fortunate to have been given the opportunity to perform there.

I do not take the NAMM show lightly...

After studying the Buddy Rich video these past few days,  I feel my inspiration has been rekindled.   I've also been studying the video of drummer Akira Jimbo,  a Japanese drummer who's considered to be one of the best drummers in the world, really.   His playing is utterly phenomenal and I just can't believe some of the things he does,  crazy,  seemingly impossible, technical things,  just like what Buddy did.

If there's a point in my life where I am most happy with my own performance and solos,  then I will surely be happy with myself.   Until then,  getting better at the instrument seems to be this constant "reaching out for the carrot" type of thing.   I know I'm good NOW,  but I know I could be better...   and the Buddy Rich and Akira Jimbo videos always keep me in check,  and they humble me so!
 

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Zen Koan of the Day:

Know who you are,  be what you know.

Peter Gabriel ~ Secret World Live
Carly Simon ~ My Romance
John Coltrane ~ Live at the Village Vanguard

The Zen Koan Card Pack

A Simple Plan
Shakespeare In Love
Waking Ned Devine