Nu Jazz Lessons For A Nu Life

There are some things in life I can’t understand and indeed many more I never hope to have to really try to. I recently had a conversation with the son of a deceased and immensely famous jazz musician who transcended the art form for many decades.

It seems that the (biological sons) of said deceased jazz musician had been omitted from the will (either inadvertently or intentionally) and all rewards of said deceased jazz musician’s music (trademark, royalties, etc.) go to a few people who have no immediate blood ties.

Well to hear the story and talk to that person was a sickening experience for me. I mean I like to think that any omission of that nature either intentionally or unintentionally would have been rectified by others regardless of mankind’s human leaning towards greed. Can you imagine for a second your father making some of the most memorable jazz classics in the history of the music and selling millions of records and for you not to have one cent from it? Can you imagine not being able to control the image of one of your parents or how it was used?

It’s a despicable part of human nature to be so greedy that you could commit such acts on or against another, that when there’s enough wealth to go around that someone would hoard such wealth, and try to ostracize the musicians own biological sons) despite what may or may have been in a will.

To do so to me is not only inhumane, but strictly against the soul of what jazz has always stood for. I’m not talking about from a materialistic perspective but from a social perspective. A sharing of things both mundane and of importance. When I look at the lessens that people like Milt Hinton and Mercer Ellington have taught me --- I realize that I was truly blessed. You don’t have to own a lot in life to share a lot. You don’t have to be rich to treat people right. You don’t have to be greedy to get ahead. In essence you just have to do right. Be better than human nature sometimes would have you be. Live life unselfishly. If you are about the music, live life as if you were the music. If you share the music, then share of yourself.
It’s easier said than done, as most things are. But don’t just walk the walk. Talk the talk. If you live the life of a jazz musician it shouldn’t just be reflected in the music, but in the way you deal with others as well.