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Big Bear
11-26-2008, 06:26 AM
One of the great composer musicians from the last century in jazz was Charles Mingus.
On many of his recordings you can hear him urging on his bandmates to,'play their horn'.In fact at times he could be rather intimidating and could have quite a temper.

The fact is that Charles always got the best out of his band,and to this day former bandmates and the world love him and his music(sadly he passed on many years ago).Another stunning feature of his music was the Spiritual element.You can distinctly hear Gospel twinges and the esctasy of those committed to the path of love within through music.In essence I do not feel a seperation between his music and spirituality.In hearing,'Better get it in your soul',I distinctly hear the good hearted warmth of music expressed in the full love of Jesus.

I have thought about this alot lately,and as you know,I don't like to seperate myself into different compartments(if you were to meet me on the street,jason of the forum is no different than jason as a social worker or jason as a qigong,tai chi teacher, or parent,husband,grandfather,etc...after all,to many hats makes the head weary!).My workouts tend to be not only physical,but spiritual experiences as well.In fact sometimes I will,if given the chance get on this site for inspiration.Your stories,thoughts,and guidance(all of you)are like the urgings of Mingus,and I feel free to,'Blow my horn',or fully express this bag of bones through movement while connecting all parts of who and what I am as I traverse this little blue marbel.

Like Charles music,there is joy,there is esctacy.In fact as I center with the breath and then starts the movements and the breath becomes heavier,it is a rythm,it is a cadence,it is a song,the song of myself expressed through rigourous movement.How absolutely wonderful to have this instrumentof the body!How wonderful to,'Blow my horn',and sing the song of exercise!

There are many things we take for granted in the world.For instance,how fortunate we are to have our internal organs working round the clock.Let us occasionaly smile to them,give them the love and attention they deserve.To be able to come to this site and see all the changes,growth,laughter,tears,sadness,and joy-how fortunate we all are!

To be able to'Blow the horn'of your body is so wonderful,and truly worthy of giving thanks each and every day.As we sit on the eve of thanksgiving,it is important to look at all aspects of our lives to be thankful for.

Sometimes when I am done with a workout,fully experiencing all aspects of the micro,and the macroa faint sound can be heard in my subconcious.Lately it has been the angelic music of Mr.Chales Mingus,and yes Mr.Mingus,It is in my soul....

peace and love to you all,
jason

Big Bear
11-27-2008, 05:25 AM
Each day every day a Thanksgiving!

peace,
jason

ben alexander
11-28-2008, 06:36 AM
A Mingus fan? You have my undying respect, BigBear!

Great post, too! Very inspiring!

Ben

Big Bear
11-28-2008, 07:03 AM
Hi Ben,

Yeah,his music always inspires me! I used to be a pro.bass player,playing jazz,rock,etc..My main guys are Mingus and Jaco not only for their playing but also compositions.

His music is always so uplifting and spiritual to me-it soars with freedom!

Just a little story if I might.His band was booked to play in a street concert in Harlem.This was after the big 'rock' invasion and everyone in the younger crowd was listening to rock.The promoter said,'Charles you can't go on and play this stuff,the younger kids just won't get into it'.As usual Mingus never comrompised his music and they went on and everyone from the elderly to young children loved it!

I often think about this and the curative aspects of music,to me to a large extent it is a matter of,'letting it into your soul',and when it is played with such passion and SPIRIT LOVE how can it be that we are not tapping the rythm with Danny and Charles as they grind out an insatiable groove.I have some music healing stories to share sometime if people would want me to share.The music of the soul is so very powerful!

peace,
jason

ben alexander
11-29-2008, 06:40 AM
Good music is good music - regardless of the style. As a guitarist, I've never been a snob...I've played everything from religious music in choir, rock, pop and punk in my band, and even a bit of jazz with my more talented friends!

Am I a great musician? No - I'm solid and reliable, but no great shakes technical or musically. Hasn't stopped me working, though. A lot of the fine details i.e. the super fast technical stuff, entertains musicians far more than the regular audience. They'd prefer catchy lines and a groove to enjoy.

Sometimes the best musician is the guy who doesn't play that much - just enough to let the song breathe. One of earliest influences was Mountain's Leslie West, who's a master of taking simple ideas and amazing feel, and saying far more than the "shredders" that followed.

I'd love to hear you stories on the healing power of music. In these times, we need to hear this.

Ben

Andy62
11-29-2008, 11:18 AM
"The soul is the SELF"

Yoga And Health