In an aptly-titled column (.pdf) in Jazz Times last month, the freelance critic and music journalist, David Adler, wrote a sincere and concise summary detailing the amount of political activism in the jazz community. Awake is mentioned along with 8-10 other CDs that have been released in recent years that have a political or activist bent to them. Included are Charlie Haden's Not in Our Name, Doug Wamble's Bluestate, Bobby Previte's The Coalition of the Willing, Chris Washburne's Land of Nod, Ben Allison's Cowboy Justice, World Saxophone Quartet's Political Blues, and Terence Blanchard's A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina), to name a few.

In his article, he definitely makes the case that there are more than just a few of us that are trying to make a political/activist statement with our music. He points out that, although it's not the 60's anymore, it's also not a time of submission: "If this is a fearful, defanged, apathetic period in music and the arts, what would an activist period look like?"

And although it's true that there are a number of us getting the message out - he quotes Wayne Shorter aptly -

"I'm trying to do music that echoes the need for human beings to say, 'Hey, it's time for us to evolve.'"

there's also much more we could be doing. He points out that in a jazz club in Brooklyn there is a poster showing full support for Zimbabwe's tyrant, Robert Mugabe, as if all jazz musicians should support that murderer. It's refreshing for David to point out that not all musicians lie to the left on the political spectrum (there are a handful of ardent Bush supporters here in the New York jazz scene - you know who you are!), but also that the choice for change this election cycle is so abundantly clear as to be almost a foregone conclusion. It would be nice to see a Pew Center poll taken of musicians in America. I'm sure it would find over 90% musicians support Barack Obama.

He concludes:

Of course, the jazz world only mirrors the strengths and weaknesses of the broader left with which it identifies most readily, and this is one of many reasons it's important to push hard for an Obama presidency. (For one thing, he's reported to be a jazz devotee since junior high.) Not only could Obama start to clean up Bush's mess; he could also change the political temperature and help foster a new culture of liberalism. In the creative arts, the vogue for radicalism may never fade. But with effort and luck, come 2009 we all might need to find new licks to play.

As for who's got the hipper taste in music, it's not even close! Check out this NPR story by Jonathan Schwartz which compares the two candidates' taste in music.

Obama's #1? "Ready or Not" by The Fugees...

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Last month, I brought my group into The 55 Bar here in New York City, this time with Jon Cowherd on Fender Rhodes, and we had a raucous time, indeed...

We played a selection from my trio CD, "Consilience," entitled "Black Fire." It's a tune in 3/4 by Andrew Hill which first appeared on his album of the same title.

The group on that July evening consisted of Anton Denner on alto sax, Chris Bacas on soprano sax, Jon Cowherd on fender rhodes, Gary Wang on bass, and myself on drums.

We have a new CD just waiting to pop out as soon as we make it into the studio, which should happen this Fall. We'll let you know...just sign up for our monthly emailing at the bottom of this page!

Here's the MP3 (14mb). Enjoy!

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Gilberto Gil is leaving the Brazilian cabinet:

Mr Gil, 66, has been in government since 2003, but said for some time that he was finding it difficult to pursue two demanding roles. As culture minister, he championed sometimes neglected forms of cultural expression such as indigenous painting.

However it was always clear that he hankered to return to his artistic career, and some critics questioned the level of commitment to his political role, says the BBC's Gary Duffy in Sao Paulo.

It's always refreshing when a great artist such as Gilberto Gil can make the crossover into public policy.If there were more creative people in position of power, the world would indeed be a much better place.

Remember what Albert Einstein said: "Creativity is more important than knowledge."

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