I loved your memoir, and these posts; your writing is just as powerful and beautiful as your music. Please keep at it and keep sharing it, it matters!
"Watching Rome Burn" immediately made me think of "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)".
Brad, my wife Dina and I met you briefly at Verbier a few years ago. I mentioned, somewhat obliquely, that you should play some Billy Joel. What I didn't say clearly enough was that your music was a genuine lifeline through some of the darkest moments of my young adulthood. Thank you for that.
Over the last couple of months I sat down and recorded improvisations on 6 or 7 Billy Joel songs. Also saw a short video of you playing Zanzibar recently, it was awesome!.
What a beautifully written piece, and courageous in using the L word in a time when that’s often looked at as cliché and wimpy (certainly not manly). To me, the ultimate strength is in challenging our own judgments, including those about our political leaders, and humbling ourselves by realizing we cannot have a complete understanding of how they got to be who they are. If we did know that, I think seeing them as innocent would be inevitable, and then we can actually love them, at least the inmost self within each of them. I think Mary Trump‘s book about her uncle lays that out; recently I heard someone who said they had a lot more empathy for Trump after they read that. It is my experience that every single person who appears drunk with power or mad with revenge has been conditioned into that; no one was born that way. If we are able to climb out of our own conditioning, then we can extend forgiveness—letting go of judgments—to others.
Brad, thank you for sharing these writings. I've loved your music, I've met Fleurine in passing at music events. To read these essays, even as the self-proclaimed "committed atheist" you describe in your newest substack, I feel them resonate almost at a visceral level. I believe...and feel this faith in what you write. Such eloquent and openhearted sharing of love and witnessed truth. Thank you. And for reminding to not forget about what really really matters while trying to share our creativity, our work. While watching Rome burn.
I absolutely loved this. As someone who is fascinated by the intersection of Theology and Jazz is there anything I could read or listen to to really dig in? I'm about to start an essay series on this topic and would love some tips!
I loved your memoir, and these posts; your writing is just as powerful and beautiful as your music. Please keep at it and keep sharing it, it matters!
"Watching Rome Burn" immediately made me think of "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)".
Brad, my wife Dina and I met you briefly at Verbier a few years ago. I mentioned, somewhat obliquely, that you should play some Billy Joel. What I didn't say clearly enough was that your music was a genuine lifeline through some of the darkest moments of my young adulthood. Thank you for that.
Over the last couple of months I sat down and recorded improvisations on 6 or 7 Billy Joel songs. Also saw a short video of you playing Zanzibar recently, it was awesome!.
If you get a chance to hear, I'd be honored : https://lively-trifle-0fbf7e.netlify.app/
— Adrian
Thanks Adrian for reading! That is a deep Billy Joel cut! Turnstiles is full of gems. Will check out your Billy Joel, cool.
So full of gems indeed, just like Cold Spring Harbor! Thanks again and sending many good vibes your way
What a beautifully written piece, and courageous in using the L word in a time when that’s often looked at as cliché and wimpy (certainly not manly). To me, the ultimate strength is in challenging our own judgments, including those about our political leaders, and humbling ourselves by realizing we cannot have a complete understanding of how they got to be who they are. If we did know that, I think seeing them as innocent would be inevitable, and then we can actually love them, at least the inmost self within each of them. I think Mary Trump‘s book about her uncle lays that out; recently I heard someone who said they had a lot more empathy for Trump after they read that. It is my experience that every single person who appears drunk with power or mad with revenge has been conditioned into that; no one was born that way. If we are able to climb out of our own conditioning, then we can extend forgiveness—letting go of judgments—to others.
Thank you for reading Jeff, and sticking up for the use of the L word! I have not read Mary Trump’s book, but you’ve put it on my radar now.
Brad, thank you for sharing these writings. I've loved your music, I've met Fleurine in passing at music events. To read these essays, even as the self-proclaimed "committed atheist" you describe in your newest substack, I feel them resonate almost at a visceral level. I believe...and feel this faith in what you write. Such eloquent and openhearted sharing of love and witnessed truth. Thank you. And for reminding to not forget about what really really matters while trying to share our creativity, our work. While watching Rome burn.
Thank you Louise! I appreciate your feedback, and your taking the time to read the piece.
I absolutely loved this. As someone who is fascinated by the intersection of Theology and Jazz is there anything I could read or listen to to really dig in? I'm about to start an essay series on this topic and would love some tips!
Great piece. Looking forward to more!
Thanks William Wilson now flowing your posts. Love the people and the city of Montreal.