Southern Standard Time
My Blog for January 2015
From a hemp-inspired, jazz singing poet chronicling his journey into singing
live jazz music in the deep South along with highlighting the lighter side of paralysis.
True solitude is found in the wild places, where one is
without human obligation. One’s inner voice becomes
audible… In consequence, one responds more clearly to
other lives.
–Wendell Berry
Greetings Fellow Jazzonians,
As I write this month’s epistle, I’m listening to my friend Dallas Smith’s
solo recording entitled My Original Standards, which I enjoy very much.
Throughout the recording, each melody lilts with the creative artistry of a
neon firefly’s summer dance through crepuscular haze to the reminiscent
rhythms and harmonies of Snoopy and Woodstock’s jaunty giddiness as they
prepare for another adventure in the Hundred Acres Wood with Christopher
Robins, Pooh, and all their playmates. All in all, it’s an excellent recording
with creative movement and a very positive vibe.
Already, it’s February, and I celebrated the fifty-first anniversary of my
birthday on the first. Fifty-one! I’m slowly sliding down my life’s deathslope, which will soon be picking up speed until, ultimately, I spiral
chaotically towards my own personal post-terrestrial manifestation, and I
wonder…
Should I, at this time in my life, continue my journey down the road of
performing live jazz music? I see young people with varying degrees of
musical talent, literally controlling millions of dollars from singing simple
songs while really good local jazz musicians who have spent decades
Southern Standard Time
My Blog for January 2015
From a hemp-inspired, jazz singing poet chronicling his journey into singing
live jazz music in the deep South along with highlighting the lighter side of paralysis.
developing their skills in a genre of music that is infinitely more
complicated, and yet they need to work at other jobs in order to survive. Do
I, who started jazz late in life, have the skills, charisma, and knowledge
enough to justify spending much of my free time chasing such elusive
treasures?
Actually, I’ve got nothing to lose. My corporate servitude ended abruptly
when the institution began treating me as a subhuman after 16 years of what
I consider to be above average work. Although not my vocation at any
stretch of the imagination, I was a competent computer programmer. I am
now allowed to pursue the challenges of singing jazz music, and it’s the
positive energy I receive from people who dig listening to my singing that
inspires me to continue my journey. I really feel that I will have a successful
year.
On Thursday, February 5, I sang gospel jazz with the David Banks
Ensemble beginning at the Jules Collins Smith museum in Auburn, Alabama
for their A Little Lunch Music concert series, which is always fun. On March
6, I will be singing jazz with my jazz band Southern Standard Time for
Friday Jazz @ The Loft’s weekly concert series from 7-9 pm in Uptown
Columbus, Georgia on the 1000 block of Broadway. For this gig, we’re
going to showcase the band’s musical prowess with a couple of pulsing
instrumentals introducing each set. We’ll then explore traditional
instrumental songs for which I’ve written lyrics. Among them: “St.
Thomas,” “Footprints,” “Now’s the Time,” “James,” “Song for Bilbao,” and,
making it’s world debut, Thelonius Monk’s “Rhythm-A-Ning”:
Rhythm-a-ning
Yesterday in the rain misty fog obscured my pain,
portending delusion, embracing confusion.
Ominous sullen clouds thundered above desperate crowds
of people believing in baneful deceiving,
unruly possession uniting aggression,
attempting to fashion an adverse reaction against you.
Delightful rising sun peaking through the misty dun
expresses elation above degradation.
Southern Standard Time
My Blog for January 2015
From a hemp-inspired, jazz singing poet chronicling his journey into singing
live jazz music in the deep South along with highlighting the lighter side of paralysis.
[I] wait for you to arrive, happy just to be alive,
embracing a new rhyme; I’m walking on sunshine.
Noticing butterflies fluttering through burning skies,
I’m dreaming of winning a brand new beginning,
a fresh start to fashion a lasting compassion,
creating a reason to follow each season loving you.
Tomorrow it may rain. I don’t care; I’m not to blame.
I’m feeling the wind blow while watching a rainbow.
Music by: Thelonius Monk ©1957
Lyrics by: Russell (Rusty) Allen Taylor, December 22, 2014
The biggest news of the year (so far) is that I’m scheduled to sing the
National Anthem for the July 22 games against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The details haven’t been cemented as of yet, but when they do, I’ll use social
media to get the word out. If you’re interested:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SSTJazzVocalist
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SSTJazzVocalist
The biggest challenge I have in continuing my journey of singing jazz is
finding accessible venues. Believe it or not, not all stages are wheelchair
accessible, which, in my view, is insane. Think about it. How much easier
would it be for roadies to transfer the heavy equipment involved with a live
musical gig if, instead of hauling tons of equipment upstairs, they could use
ramps and elevators. And think of the older music lovers who endanger not
only themselves but others as well if they get a touch of vertigo while
travailing up a steep set of stairs. There is a stage in downtown Columbus,
Georgia that’s placed between the north- and south-bound lanes of
Broadway. The front of the stage is raised about four and half feet above the
ground, but because of a small slope, the back of the stage is a mere couple
of feet above ground. Here, without much effort, a ramp could be built that
would make the stage accessible to practically everyone… plus, it would
facilitate equipment transfers immeasurably.
Southern Standard Time
My Blog for January 2015
From a hemp-inspired, jazz singing poet chronicling his journey into singing
live jazz music in the deep South along with highlighting the lighter side of paralysis.
Actually, in this day and age of divisiveness, my biggest challenge is to
remain positive when confronted by the ubiquitous negativity that is thrust
upon me from irrelevant personalities, very often celebrities with little
insight into anything that doesn’t increase their personal agenda. If someone
else feels that she must eliminate anybody else to advance her religious or
political agendas, then her ideologies aren’t conducive to mine. I must try
evermore vigilantly to remember who I am at all times. Negativity will then
no longer have power to guide my philosophy toward a more violent
propensity, and I will be better prepared to laugh at the nonsense that
confronts me.
I don’t argue with a third-grader about the veracity of Santa Claus, nor do
I argue with a political pundit about veracity.
—Rusty Taylor
Peace Through Music