". . . The Department of Agriculture is responsible for the safety of all meat. The FDA handles all other food. An American killed by his spinach can justifiably blame the FDA, but an an American killed by his steak is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture. Cheese pizzas are the FDA's problem; pepperoni pizzas are supervised by the USDA. . . "
Other Ray Jozwiak Offerings
(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)
Granted, I did and DO love playing music. Make no mistake. And the band REFLECTION (my very first, actual, money-making (dare I say, "Semi-Professional") band) did, as does any living, growing thing, EVOLVE. First our guitarist Keith moved to another band, an earthshaking experience for the drummer Bruce and myself at the time. We were just getting musically comfortable with ourselves as a unit and finding a fair amount of work. I don't now for the life of me remember how he did it, but our drummer Bruce and I connected with Eddie (saxophones and flute), Rick (trumpet) and Rick H. (guitar). Since one out of two Ricks and Eddie were music students at the local university, our approach to music became a bit more academic with the use of arrangements, charts, some jazz inflections and the addition of some newer, current songs; even one or two by Chicago- one of my favorites. I was doubling as an occasional substitute in Keith's new band and working on arrangements and trying to secure gigs with REFLECTION at the same time. (It's good to be in demand!)
Keith's new band was a kind of an ever-changing, depending upon the availability of individual players at any time, musical ensemble whose nucleus consisted of the drummer (who was the 'leader') John, Keith on guitar, Randy on trumpet and an intense young alto saxophonist named Ted. The band was loose, but flexible, and frequently delivered quite musical and crowd-pleasing renditions of rocking (or alternately, swinging) cover tunes to very appreciative (and sometimes, dispositionally well-lubricated) audiences. While the weakest link was quite possibly the leader, Randy and Ted were attractive and charismatic front-men doubling on vocals as well as their chosen axes. In short, a good time was (mostly) had by the band and most every gig.
Ted and I played occasional gigs outside of that band and although we were not extremely close friends, I came to view him as a hip, congenial mentor and friend. Driving to one gig in particular, I recall, Ted and I were discussing various musicians we had experienced and he referred to Randy as a 'bitch' trumpet player. I was taken aback in that I hadn't heard that terminology before. Further into the conversation he also said I was a 'bitch' keyboardist. Almost hurt at first, I soon 'connected the dots' based upon his classifying Randy, whom I know he appreciated and admired, with myself and came to the conclusion that being a 'bitch' player was, indeed, a good thing! And as a result of my good friend Ted, my confidence increased substantially that very day. (Ted even had me sit in with his top-notch top-40 band awhile later for
which we played Satin Doll which was a thrill, I must say, and did not
inflict any damage upon that developing confidence either.)
OHO's
"Ocean City Ditty," the
CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if
you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak
My latest solo release, '2014' of original, instrumental piano music, can be downloaded digitally at:
(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)
I have this ability, which in my view really isn't THAT special, to recognize people from my past. And since as I get older that period of time continues to grow larger, that number likewise continues to grow, quite possibly making it increasingly difficult to maintain this ability.
But anyway, I had an opportunity to practice this (mostly) wonderful talent recently when I encountered my tenth-grade biology teacher in the grocery store. And although we had a most pleasant conversation, there are some things, as happens in many conversations, that I did not say at the time but which occurred to me later making me wish that I had said them at the time. So I thought I would say them here.
This particular teacher was a breath of fresh air in some otherwise unspectacular high school years. She was young, not unattractive, energetic, enthusiastic, articulate, funny and unmistakably dedicated. I was an impressionable, un-academic, socially awkward, decidedly uncool, dweebie, acne-faced adolescent young male biding my time in a school that offered me very little in the way of intellectual stimulation or social opportunities. She taught biology, one of the few subjects that held some appeal for me, being a lover of reptiles and amphibians. But she taught biology, as I'm sure she could have any other course, with pizazz and finesse resulting in one early-morning class to which I actually looked forward favorably.
One component of this biology class, which now upon reflection I realize, was instrumental in shaping my academic future and later life. It was a project we undertook of a multi-media presentation within the topic which required team work, writing, selection of visual material and accompanying narration and audio. I, with the encouragement of this teacher, was selected to be the narrator, which in truth was mostly because I was one of a small few who could read more than one sentence without stumbling. But this distinction helped shape the direction I soon decided to take toward a career (or at least the pursuit of such a career) in media. This decision (which by the way I have never regretted due to the many pleasant years and good friends which resulted) at which I arrived was the result of the (rare for me, at the time) confidence I felt because of this science project and with the help of this wonderful teacher.
So not only is this petite, unassuming figure not difficult for me to discern in a crowd because of her smiling, wise and pleasant face, she is one of a select few persons from my past who helped instill something in me that I have never lost and which has become an integral part of my makeup as a happy, responsible, functioning adult. Thank you Miss Wells.
Countless books, websites, magazines, classes, seminars, clubs, associations, and organizations exist (Google provides about 15,100,000 results to a search for the word 'Songwriting' alone) to "assist" the struggling songwriter.
Should be easy to become instantly successful. Right???
As one intimately involved in such creative endeavors as both a participant and a spectator, I have decided that I, too, will join the ranks of the faux academics and offer my services based upon the credentials earned in my vast 'professional' and my amateur experience.
What makes my assistance particularly valuable is the price. It is being offered to you, RIGHT NOW, possibly for a limited time (that is, unless I decide to repeat myself yet AGAIN in the future) only. . . and that price is . . .
. . . NOTHING! It is FREE!!!
OK. Here goes. When performing your original material, irrespective of audience size, disposition or demographics, venue, sound systems, backing band or lack thereof, compensation or lack thereof . . . irrespective of all of that. . . Do NOT (I repeat) do not (no matter how funny, witty, clever or intelligent you are [or THINK you are], do not, (did I say DO NOT??). . .
Granted, I did and DO love playing music. Make no mistake. And the band REFLECTION did, as does any living, growing thing, EVOLVE. First our guitarist Keith moved to another band, an earthshaking experience for the drummer Bruce and myself at the time. We were just getting musically comfortable with ourselves as a unit and finding a fair amount of work. I don't now for the life of me remember how did it, but our drummer Bruce and I connected with Eddie (saxophones and flute), Rick (trumpet) and Rick H. (guitar). Since one out of two Ricks and Eddie were music students at the local university, our approach to music became a bit more academic with the use of arrangements, charts, some jazz inflections and the addition of some newer, current songs; even one or two by Chicago- one of my favorites. I was doubling as an occasional substitute in Keith's new band and working on arrangements and trying to secure gigs with REFLECTION at the same time. (It's good to be in demand!)
Again, mental cobwebs prevent my accurate recollection, but it seems that Bruce, Keith and I reunited and the academic incarnation of REFLECTION complete with horn section came to an end. After utilizing the services of various reedmen, including Bruce's brother Charles, we expanded our original trio into a quartet with the addition of a permanent saxophonist/vocalist named Greg, with newly revitalized energy. At this time we thought our regeneration would be more thorough with a name changed and finally settled upon the catchy moniker FUL TREATMENT (yes, ONE 'L') which accurately captured our ability to navigate the crosscurrents of musical genre and essentially play ANYTHING that ANYBODY wanted. This gloriously selfless intention was more true in theory than in practice, but our intentions were sincere, particularly at the start, although that facet of our existence did deteriorate somewhat in time.
Download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
