Music On Rotation: Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers

Released in February 1963. It was Blakey's first album for Riverside Records after he signed with them in October 1962. The songs were recorded at the Plaza Sound Studio in New York City, on October 23-24, 1962

I know I've been posting a lot lately about grief, so I wanted to be sure I balanced it out with some of the music that has been keeping me peaceful...I'll be adding more. Make sure you check them all out on Pandora, Spotify, or Apple Music/iTunes!  

The Best Laid Plans...Often Go Awry

So, we're coming around the bend of September. Hard to believe, really. 

The last nine months have basically been a blur. I've been running a local mayoral campaign. Before that I had been managing that same municipal leader's digital media, and before that I had helped run his 2013 city council campaign, so this was basically a continuation. On Red Bull. 

Suffice it to say,  I've been busy.  For the past two and a half years.  This is the first weekend that I've had absolutely nothing to do. And when I mean nothing, I mean zippo, zilch, zero.  Its been wonderful and weird all at the same time. Been there before? I found myself getting a bit bored. 

Early in the week I was the most exhausted that I have ever been in my entire life. I thought I'd be sleeping all weekend long. Didn't happen. So much for the best laid plans. Guess that means I'm caught up on my sleep? Let's hope so. 

Although my body may feel as if its caught up on sleep, my heart feels as if its grieving. Ever been there? Where the body and the mind contradict each other. 

A friend told me the other day to allow myself to grieve.  Grieve, you ask? Yes.  I put my heart and soul into the campaigns for Mr. Barnes. Believed in him without a shadow of a doubt. He loves the Lord. He lives his life and conducts himself with the highest degree of integrity, and seeks to leave a city that will benefit not only his family but every family in the city.  I knew he had a future as a public servant. 

I have great passion for politics & government, but no tolerance for the nasty sort of 'politics' that we normally see; the partisan people out for their own agenda, or those people who pander for votes, saying things just to sound acceptable to every group they encounter; but leaders who use their power for good and not evil. 

Mr. Barnes is different. There's no partisan bone in his body. He and I shared the same opinion about politics. It was the greatest work of my life. Had no doubts. Whatsoever. So, I took this one pretty hard. He's a good guy. And a great leader.

I am 'grieving' because Mr. Barnes lost the election. Rather unexpectedly. Stunned is probably the best word to describe how our team felt. None of us even fathomed this outcome. 

There was no Plan B.

We knew we had the strongest candidate in the race, with the greatest qualifications. Trusted.Genuine. Focused. Forward-thinking. 

Determined to bring opportunity to the entire city, because he had proven his ability as a district representative and an at-large council member. Quantifiable results. Didn't mean a thing, apparently. Or, it did, and fear was stronger. I believe there is a deeper meaning to the results. I may not understand them now. Maybe I'm not supposed to. God's got it all under control. And its ok to grieve. Because it was a valuable experience and it left an indelible mark on my life.

So here we are. 

We may see stoplights. But, "blue skies, smilin' at me, nothin' but blue skies do I see....Blue days, all of them gone,  Nothin' but blue skies from now on."

Thank god for Jazz

I don't know about you, but I work best when listening to music. But not just ANY music. For me, it's jazz.  I can spend all day listening to #jazz as I work. Specifically, today it was the Clifford Brown station on Pandora. Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan...some of the absolute greats who were under-appreciated, in my opinion. And of course, Clifford left us too soon at the age of 25, so we'll never know what he could have attained. But man, that swing and rhythm can get me through the day. Add in Kenny Dorham, Dexter Gordon, Grant Green, Coleman Hawkins, (one of my faves) Jackie McLean, Monk, Sonny Rollins...and my love, Trane....and my day is pretty daggum perfect, and PRODUCTIVE. Thank god for JAZZ. #realjazz

The Lessons Were His Gift To Me: Dwayne Burno's Legacy of Expression

Its been just over 57 hours since learning the tragic news of the passing of my friend and jazz master bassist, Dwayne Burno. I know many, like me, have been going over memories of him in their minds, recalling conversations, performances, dinners, family gatherings, etc. We all have our experiences and memories with Dwayne. We're all dealing with his passing in our own individual ways. There isn't a right or wrong way to grieve. It just is. And that's ok. 

Talking through my own personal grief over Dwayne's passing with my family & friends, I am able to process and come to a realization about who Dwayne was to me and the blessing he was in my life.  And what his life taught me ABOUT life. 

I don't know about you, but I hear his voice in my heart and I see his face when I close my eyes, and I think of him when I am listening to jazz and I hear the bass line. Its amazing that I am experiencing all of these levels of remembrance, and I was only in his presence 3 times. But once you met him, he left an indelible mark on your spirit. Throughout the past almost 6 years, I would check in on him since he had faced various health issues, his kidney transplant, and most recently issues with his heart. He was one of those people you just always kept tabs on every couple of weeks either by phone, text, or instant message. One thing that always amazed me about him and his dedication and love for jazz, was that for years he traveled around the world, lugging all of his medical equipment while on dialysis. He didn't go anywhere without it. And yet, he never let it stop him from living or making beautiful music. 

That was lesson #1. Don't let obstacles get in your way of pursuing your passion & purpose. Keep at it, every day. No matter what the situation looks like. 

Lesson #2: Never let time pass by without telling those loved ones in your life how much you love and appreciate them, because you never know when your last conversation with them will be. I found out all too well this past week, when my final conversation with Dwayne was on Christmas Eve, and we exchanged Christmas wishes. I told him Merry Christmas and that I loved him much, at which he replied 'Love you too, CAT. Merry Christmas.' 

In May, Dwayne posted this on his Facebook wall:

Dwayne Burno

May 30 via mobile

Seriously, y'all. Make, take, borrow and/or steal the time to let those you love know in life rather than posthumously exclaim and proclaim your adoration. Doesn't mean s*it when you can hear or enjoy it.

He knew the importance of expressing love and appreciation to those people in his life who he loved. He did it freely and without obligation. He did it and he meant it. Every word. Every time.  He wasn't afraid of the words "I love you." Because he meant them, genuinely, sincerely. We, too, must not be afraid to say those 3 powerful words. They can change someone's life. It doesn't have to be a spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend. If you care about someone, tell them. You may not ever get the chance again, so make the most of every opportunity. Time is short. We're not guaranteed tomorrow. Dwayne understood this, I believe. 

Dwayne Burno will not only be remembered as a master jazz musician, with his unmatched knowledge of and skill in the art of jazz, composition, history and technical ability, but also his passionate pursuit, dedication and expression of humanity. He was the embodiment of Life, Love, and all things JAZZ. 

Nothing stopped him from living or making his beautiful music. For me to embrace that in my own life would be the greatest acknowledgment of the gift he passed to me. 

As memorial plans get underway, you may donate directly to the family through the Jazz Foundation of America. Please make donations either online at: 
JAZZ FOUNDATION OF AMERICA 
OR 
MAIL A CHECK IN HONOR OF DWAYNE BURNO TO : 

Jazz Foundation of America

322 West 48th Street, 6th Floor

New York, NY 10036. 

(212)245-3999

http://bit.ly/1cf3gxm

Dwayne Burno ~ Update on Donations for His Family

Below is an update from a friend of the family, regarding Wendy & Quinn, and information about tax deductible contributions through the Jazz Foundation for the family…
https://fundly.com/our-friend-wendy-just-lost-her-husband-and-needs-help#home

Michael Galinsky

Wendy and Quinn are very thankful

I just wanted to let everyone know that Wendy and Quinn are overwhelmed and appreciative of the outpouring of support. They are both doing well. They are working on setting up a memorial service at some point in the future. Wendy is also making arrangements with the Jazz Foundation to arrange the ability to accept tax deductible donations through the organization for those who are interested. The memo of checks should say Dwayne Burno.

Jazz Foundation Info

Here is the information on the jazz foundation and tax deductible donations to Dwayne's family - Thanks to Lois Gilbert for passing it on.

As memorial plans get underway, you may make a tax-deductible donation to the family through the Jazz Foundation of America, who has been helping Dwayne Burno since the illness first took its toll.

Please make donations either online, here:
JAZZ FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
http://jazzfoundation.org/

=OR=

MAIL A CHECK IN HONOR OF DWAYNE BURNO TO :
Jazz Foundation of America
322 West 48th Street, 6th Floor 

New York, NY 10036 

(212) 245-3999

Kindred Spirit ~ Comprehending the Loss of a Friend

Dwayne Burno 

Dwayne Burno & Myself at SMOKE Jazz & Supper Club
New York City
October 2009

        

Yesterday, I received devastating news that my dear friend, kindred spirit, and Jazz Master, Dwayne Burno transitioned from this world. It was shocking & paralyzing news. There was no one like this human being. He spoke with raw honesty and incredible respect for humanity, passionate about the music he gave his life to, and a heart full of love for his wonderful wife and beautiful son. If you were lucky enough for Dwayne to call you his friend, you knew it was a lifetime thing, and he would fight to the death on your behalf and cuss out anyone who spoke ill of you or to you.  You never had to question that he would always be in your corner. And he was generous with his words of love and appreciation for the loved ones in his life. 

On my 35th birthday, I decided to take a bus trip to NYC (I'd been living in DC and never been to the Big Apple). So, I called Dwayne to let him know where I wanted to spend my birthday, and he just so happened to have a gig the weekend I would be in town. So I made the trip and enjoyed his gig at SMOKE Jazz & Supper Club, and at the stroke of midnight, the server brought me a dessert with a candle lit on top, compliments of Dwayne in honor of my special day. That's just how thoughtful he was. :)

Just this past Tuesday night, Christmas Eve 2013, we exchanged our Christmas wishes for each other and our families via instant messenger, and his final words to me were, "Love you too, CAT. Merry Christmas." I never ever doubted that he loved me. You know those kinds of friends. Dwayne was such. 

I told him once that I couldn't understand how I was so lucky to have been blessed by his friendship, and that I couldn't imagine my world without him. He was one of the precious ones. The tears that fall from my eyes at this very moment, will undoubtedly dry some day in the future, but tonight, my heart is broken. An angel has left my world. 

Rest in sweet peace, DB.  Much love, ALWAYS. 

***Friends of Dwayne's have put together a Fundly Campaign to provide financial support for Dwayne's wife Wendy and their son Quinn. For more information and/or to contribute support, please visit: www.fundly.com/our-friend-wendy-just-lost-her-husband-and-needs-help