By now it’s cliché to say that we’re living through unprecedentedly crazy times and that the coronavirus pandemic has changed our world in a profound and baffling way but I have to agree, that’s exactly how I feel! Other feelings include anxiety about the immediate and distant future, annoyance, helplessness and gratitude for having a good place to be isolated and for having a never ending mission - to be a musician. This is really a huge blessing because as musicians we never cease to create and explore the vast infinity of possibilities that is music, and that journey can’t be stopped or slowed down, even by a global lockdown. It has been truly inspiring and fascinating to see how musicians and performers in our NYC community and around the world have attempted to adapt to the new contactless socially distant situation and while it’s been a struggle, I have also made some humble attempts while being involuntarily homebound. The lack of immediate human contact between musicians and their audience (and between people in general) has forced many of us to reconsider our very identity as performers but has also brought about a new sense of community online and a myriad of creative innovations.
The #ResilienceRevue is an online performance trail via instagram live started by the singer Malaya Sol - like an online pub crawl through performers’ living rooms (or bedrooms) that serves to connect artists and audiences & strengthen and uplift the community. Each artist performs a short set and passes the torch to the next. I have participated in a couple of them so far and it’s been an uplifting experience to feel the connections and to enjoy the intimacy and the diversity in solo/duo performances. Learn more and see the next one HERE
Since performances and tours dried up overnight, I’ve had a lot more time to dedicate to other endeavors and one of them is online music instruction and coaching via video-conference. It’s been great to meet with a bunch of students from around the world and to share my experiences and techniques with them. I’ve also started an ongoing instagram series called What To Practice? in which I share exercises and approaches to practicing music.
Due to the current crisis lessons are priced on a “pay what you can” basis, and I am accepting donations of any size. Be sure to keep up on the latest What To Practice videos. Here’s one for all instrumentalists
One of the formats that has skyrocketed in popularity throughout social media lately has been the remote-collaboration video, with the participants each recording video and audio at home, and then presenting an edited split-screen video to share and circulate. Although overdubbing can be limited in the possibility for interaction and grooving compared to live recording, a lot of beautiful projects are emerging every day. Here are a couple
Manuel Valera - “Descaronze” featuring Armando Gola, Dafnis Prieto, Dave Smith
Lau Noah - El Fiel Pescador
I’ve often wondered what would happen if I were able to clone myself and interact with my duplicates and now, thanks to technology and spurred on by isolation and social distancing, I’ve begun to experiment with this sci-fi idea. Here is a composition titled “Danzón Mazatlán” by Mexican flutist-composer Polen Iñaki who recently invited me to record it.
Danzón Mazatlán - By Polen Iñaki
Here is my take on the Fugue in C minor from Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Well Tempered Clavier”
In other news, there is a brand new TELAVANA album in the works, and I’m super excited to share some music and vids from the recording session with you soon. If you haven’t had a chance, check out the first album right here
Thanks for reading, I hope you all keep safe, well, healthy and finding ways to deal with our new realities that are creative, supportive and productive!