For the past several years I have been documenting musicians; in particular, their live performances. For me, no other art form expresses itself as raw and personal as does music. Few artists work as soulfully "live" as they do. Perhaps it’s because their connection to the audience is through two of our most used and interpretive senses: sight and sound. It's one thing to be moved by song on radio, it's another to see and hear that music performed live, front and center, "in-the-spot-light" where song takes on a physical form. It is in these magical moments where we can also see the agile skills of the artist, their physical talents, even what I would describe as their athletic abilities. (If we consider race-car drivers athletes, why not musicians? Timing, eye-hand coordination, split second precision, endurance, personality, entertainment value… are these not the qualities of a great formula one driver…are these too not the qualities of any accomplished musician? But I digress.) Live performances are victory laps, they are the trophy moments in a musician’s work. Much would be lost if music were only heard and not seen.
The truth about music is this: it is the only language in the history of mankind that can be understood without being taught. We do not have to "learn it" - we do not have to read a text book, an instruction manual, use an assembly guide, or sit through years of classes in order to master it -- we can enjoy it right out of the box. A child will connect with music as readily as an adult, and as easily as they can see light. No one need learn the meaning of notes, the importance of measure, the difference between 4/4-time and cut-time in order to connect with a musician's sound. Not that all music speaks the same language, delivers the same message or evokes the same response, but no other form of communication is more readily understood as is the language of music.
For me watching a pianist, a saxophonist, a guitarist or singer express themselves through their work is as close to what I imagine a priest must experience when an individual bares open their soul during pure confession: music is an expression of our emotions, the essence of humanity, the heart of beauty: Music is the soundtrack of life.
Recently, I hit the live music scene in a small Philly jazz club. Here the musicians are a tight knit community who can drop in on one another's sessions without invite, but always welcomed. Some are students at Temple University who move in the same circles, understand what it means to perform together, and take no offense when asked to give way to another artist who has the urge to jam. Drummers hand over sticks, a base player their well-worn base, and even lead saxophonists bow to a stranger with a trumpet when they appear at side stage. Their code is to create: friend, stranger or even audience members; all are welcome. I've discovered no other club quite like this. Yes, I've been around open mic nights, improv and amateur hours, but rarely have I seen a performing trio stop their set to welcome a stranger center stage, a fourth member, the way they do in Philly. This particular night I watched one piano player take over the baby grand in mid-song, in mid-rift. Right hand gave the upper scales to the new player, while the lower scales were maintained until the newcomer's left hand landed on those same ivories; legs where gracefully stretched over and around the bench as one artist exited and the other took charge. Both were smiling, both in sync, like dancers in unison. We applauded the feat. Had our eyes been closed we wouldn't have noticed the changing of the guard. Not a note was out of place or tempo lost. It was a physical dance where the dancers were also writing the score to which they performed… all before our eyes. There’s nothing like music, but it's never better than when it’s live.
