Nose . . .

 . . . don't need no clothes. . .

. . . and sound is its own sight. . .


(from http://jazztimes.com/articles/17992-rahsaan-roland-kirk-the-cult-of-kirk)
". . . Steve Turre, who served several stints in Kirk’s bands, assembled a group featuring multi-reedist James Carter for the 2004 Kirk tribute album, The Spirits Up Above (HighNote), and led the all-star band last December at Saint Peter’s Church in New York City that paid tribute to Kirk close to the 30th anniversary of his death. Turre argues that only when people turn away from the visual—and Kirk’s videos are popular items on YouTube—and focus on the aural will they fully grasp Kirk’s achievements. “It’s all about listening,” Turre insists, “though I don’t think kids are taught that today. When I first encountered him, I’d just listen and go with the flow. We used to go up to his hotel room and listen to records in the dark. He was sightless, so he didn’t need the lights. It made me concentrate on the sound. It took me inside Rahsaan’s world and allowed me to experience music as he did.

“Yeah, the unusual aspects of his shows were amazing, but I didn’t let that stop me from hearing the music. His shows were unconventional, but only because he was being himself. It was all about feeling; it wasn’t all mechanical and contrived; it wasn’t different for different’s sake. It wasn’t for an intellectual concept; it was just Rahsaan being Rahsaan.” . . . "

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html 

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)

My latest solo release, '2014', can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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Arms . . .

. . . bare arms . . .

Old news, presumably true, but disturbing in any case . . .


(from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/27399337/ns/us_news-life/t/boy-accidentally-kills-self-gun-show/#.U6Oln6gmx1T)
". . . An 8-year-old boy died after accidentally shooting himself in the head while firing an Uzi submachine gun under adult supervision at a gun fair. The boy lost control of the weapon while firing it Sunday at the Machine Gun Shoot and Firearms Expo at the Westfield Sportsman’s Club, police Lt. Lawrence Vallierpratte said. Police said the boy, Christopher Bizilj of Ashford, Conn., was with a certified instructor and called the death a “self-inflicted accidental shooting.” As the boy fired the Uzi, "the front end of the weapon went up with the backfire and he ended up receiving a round in his head," police Lt. Hipolito Nunez said. The boy died at a hospital. The boy's father and older brother were also there at the time, a gun club member and school official said. Francis Mitchell, a longtime member and trustee of the club, said he was told the boy's father was supporting his son from behind when the shooting happened. Although the death appeared to be an accident, officials were investigating. It is legal in Massachusetts for children to fire a weapon if they have permission from a parent or legal guardian and are supervised by a properly certified and licensed instructor, Lt. Hipolito Nunez said. The name of the instructor helping the boy was not released. The event ran in conjunction with C.O.P Firearms and Training, said in an ad that people are allowed to fire weapons at vehicles, pumpkins and other targets at the event. "It's all legal & fun — No permits or licenses required!!!!" reads the ad, posted on the club's Web site.  Messages left on answering machines for the club and the C.O.P. group were not returned Monday. . ."



. . . legal AND Fun, fun, fun . . .

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html 

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)

My latest solo release, '2014', can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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It's A Wonderful . . .

 . . . process. . .

. . . putting the pieces together thoughtfully and methodically. . .



When I woke up today I had all that I want
Everything that I did brought desired results
How could this be? All the rules have been changed
In the pool where I drowned I am swimming again.

But of course I am wrong.  How could I understand
When my society tells me how tall I stand?
Then I take it inside and wait for life’s kiss
Which is sure to arrive ‘cause I’m riding my bliss.

What did I do? The world holds me up
Invisible hands grant the nourishing cup
Have I found a way that has always been there?
It seems to me it came out of thin air.

The child waking up brings the old crone to tears
Pushing through my disguise see the tips of my ears
How could this be all the rules have been changed
In the pool where I drowned I am swimming again.

When I blindly reach out to what I cannot see
Grace reappears and it rescues me
I’m not what I feel, I’m not what you think
I’m only what is and what isn’t in sync.


Out Of Thin Air
('work in progress' by OHO [Jay Graboski, David Reeve, Ray Jozwiak] and guest vocalists Lisa Griffee and Kirsten Smith done at Bratt Studios with percussion done at Blue Ball Studios)




What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html 

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)

My latest solo release, '2014', can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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Quotes . . .

 . . . on notes . . .

(from http://musicmagic.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/quotes-about-music/)   
A painter paints pictures on canvas.  But musicians paint their pictures on silence. – Leopold Stokowski

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. – Berthold Auerbach

All deep things are song.  It seems somehow the very central essence of us, song; as if all the rest were but wrappages and hulls! – Thomas Carlyle

If the King loves music, it is well with the land. – Mencius

Without music life would be a mistake. – Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
   
Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons.  You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body. – Oliver Wendell Holmes

If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music. – Gustav Mahler
   
Alas for those that never sing, but die with all their music in them! – Oliver Wendell Holmes
   
Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom.  If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn. – Charlie Parker

He who sings scares away his woes. – Cervantes
   
Music was my refuge.  I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness. – Maya Angelou

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html 

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)

My latest solo release, '2014', can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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No Pain . . .

 . . . please. . .

Like a rousing, intellectually stimulating conversation, thoughts (like mine right now) shift from one topic to another, not always related, and many times without any logical connecting thread.

Suffice to say, I have suffered some back pain and have recently learned of back pain being suffered by friends and relations, some relieved and some not.

But 'Pain' is also a word in the title 'Pain and Gain' which is a movie released in 2013 based upon a series of articles and, now I have learned is also a book written by one victim (not related to the making other motion picture) of the horrible crimes portrayed in the movie which by the ways features one of my favorite actors Tony Shaloub. This film, like others I have viewed, is somewhat disturbing, especially when you consider it is based (loosely, some say) upon fact and makes me well appreciate that I live a relatively mundane life when compared and well intend to keep it that way.

Following this?  The  gain part (see, I told you many times without any logical connecting thread) is what I get from making music. As discussed recently with Oho band-mates, the gain realized from making original music is not necessarily monetary but is very personal and very . . . spiritual (for present lack of a better description).

Which leads me to tell you what's going on-

Monday, June 23, 2014
at 7:15PM Ray Jozwiak-Gonzo Piano Opens This Week's Brewer's Alley Songwriters' Showcase, Monday @ Brewer's Alley Restaurant
124 North Market Street, Frederick, MD 21701 (United States) -
(301) 631-0089


Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Jay Graboski of OHO Live at Johnny's Pizza & Pub in Ocean City, MD @ Johnny's Pizza & Pub
5601 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842 (United States) -
410-524-7499     Set: 10:00 PM


Saturday, July 26, 2014
Warrens Park Annual Block Party @ Warrens Park
5101 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842 (United States) -
    Set: 4:00 PM

   
Friday, August 15, 2014
OHO Live at Johnny's Pizza & Pub in Ocean City, MD @ Johnny's Pizza & Pub
5601 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842 (United States) -
410-524-7499     Set: 10:00 PM
   

Saturday, September 13, 2014
OHO Live at Johnny's Pizza & Pub in Ocean City, MD @ Johnny's Pizza & Pub
5601 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842 (United States) -
410-524-7499     Set: 10:00 PM


Sunday, September 21, 2014
Sippin' Sunday at Elk Run Vineyard with OHO @ Elk Run Vineyard
15113 Liberty Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771 (United States) -
410-775-2513     Set: 3:00 PM

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html 

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)

My latest solo release, '2014', can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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Gonzo and Other Pianos . . .

Pianos come in a variety of sizes. There is the Concert Grand (between 7 and 10 feet in length), the Parlor (or Boudoir) Grand of about 6 to 7 feet, the Baby Grand (about 5 feet) and the Embryonic Grand (about 2 feet)- at Brewer's Alley, there is actually a digital baby grand which we lovingly refer  to as the 'embryonic grand'

. . . and then there is
Gonzo Piano (ten fingers and some imagination)

Ray Jozwiak
opens the Brewer's Alley Songwriters Showcase this Monday June 23rd @ 7:15PM

Also this week
                              3 Songs by Tom Fabinski &
                              Stephen Darnell
                              Featured Performer is Angie Miller
                              and poetry by John Holly and Rod Deacey

Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery
124 North Market Street Frederick, MD 21701
Telephone: 301-631-0089 Fax: 301-631-1874
  http://www.brewers-alley.com/

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html 

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)

My latest solo release, '2014', can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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Cigar. . .

. . . anyone?

We complain the floor's uneven

When we simply don't know how to dance

In a sentimental treason

Each word is charged as every glance



My foes approach and I start singing

How do I defend against my friends?

The treasure buried where I fumbled

The ball into the tiger's den



Maddened fingers spar

With the laughing strings

I was very close but no cigar



We were on the corner with our cup

The lad with light feet made the girl light up

Putting the pep back into the step

Where you would leap is now where I have leapt



I'm an easy victim of nostalgia

I was making friends among the blind

The filament was bright at high noon

Radiating from the signs



Maddened fingers spar

With the laughing strings

It was very close but no cigar



Find the low denominator

With a hundred pairs of eyes

Leaning on an arm that failed us

Against the grain it's common life



I was choking on imagination

Still I know I get the gist

Sifting through a tired memory

In Paris turning with the twist

Close But No Cigar 

performed by OHO

Live at "You're With The Band"

Baltimore, May 2014

OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html 

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)

My latest solo release, '2014', can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

Tweet