Simon Purcell

“Don’t just play something, sit there” Jim Hall’s Jazz Koan.

“Don’t just play something, sit there”… Jim Hall’s Jazz Koan. Following on from Lennie’s advice re hipness and non-action, thank you to my friend (guitarist) Jason Broadbent for Jim Hall’s counsel “Don’t just play something, sit there”! On further research those close to Jim Hall suggest he actually said “don’t just do something, sit there” but the pointContinue reading ““Don’t just play something, sit there” Jim Hall’s Jazz Koan.”

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“The hippest thing you can do is not play at all. Just listen!” Lennie Tristano

“The hippest thing you can do is not play at all. Just listen!” Lennie Tristano… Sage advice to all improvisors, myself included. This reinforces the view that the practice of improvising is so close to that of mindfulness/presence and attention. Regardless of our private and personal views regarding religion and faith traditions, our musical practiceContinue reading ““The hippest thing you can do is not play at all. Just listen!” Lennie Tristano”

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Jung was spot on re Brexit

C.G.Jung mistrusted “the crowd”. The great British public’s vote is ample evidence of why Jung was spot on. Notwithstanding the reasoned views of a small minority of leave campaigners, the process of referendum has paradoxically undermined democracy and afforded a dangerous victory to the baying crowd of hateful, latent xenophobes. Thank goodness there is noContinue reading “Jung was spot on re Brexit”

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Krishnamurti… and also John Dewey

Thank you Liam Noble for alerting me to this video… Consider the notion of embracing difference in learners, an absence of comparison and the centrality of experience. Krishnamurti’s profound philosophy of education is in direct opposition to the current industrial model of education than not only works against differences in learners/people but has also systematicallyContinue reading “Krishnamurti… and also John Dewey”

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When we sing together… there is always Peace

A choir can literally harmonise our intentions towards celebration, advocacy, affirmation, admission, wonder, hope, grief and ultimately togetherness. It is not only the fact of being together (standing together definitely helps) but the added and magic ingredient of music, of sound and rhythm that seduces us to a state of non-ego where our selfish impulsesContinue reading “When we sing together… there is always Peace”