Love and Grief: An Evening of Jazz Improvisation

Abstract

My project is a performance of jazz improvisation that explores songs of love and grief. I have experienced a loss in my life and have decided to channel my thoughts and feelings into a creative project. My belief is that one way to deal with grief is to practice being completely present. To play jazz improvisation requires radical presence and jazz is a music of praise for the present. Jazz bands are a community of "yes." As I describe in my paper, the evening was a wonderful surprise on many levels. It was the first time I met the accompanying musicians (the bass player and drummer). It was the first time I led a piano trio.