This summer was nothing short of epic. Lots of cool, exotic locations, off-the-beaten path cities, and lots of beautiful music were made. Over the course of the last month, I’ve had the opportunity to visit Rotterdam, NL, Dublin, London, Southern (Almunecar) & Northern Spain (San Sebastien), and Marciac, France performing incredible jazz music with Abdullah Ibrahim. Afterwards, I spent time in Andalucia (southern), Spain- Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla, and Granada. I’ve also celebrated my 35th birthday this summer, and it provided an opportunity for me to reflect on all the summers I’ve spent so far, and it’s both useful and a little daunting.
The vacation was much needed- I haven’t had one in almost two years. Even touring is hard work- early lobby calls, travel grind, multiple venues, it can be a lot. It’s amazing after all these years, it’s the cello that has got me around the world to share with audiences. All the years being equipped to play and use my voice has culminated into this tour…I truly feel like I belong. Like I have something to say, that my voice has value and is respected. And I realize I can’t be my own worst enemy…the hard part is getting out of my own way and just create. It’s always a struggle, but this year- I’ve had enough. It’s time to just do the thing…
Yes, I’m fully middle-aged and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet…I still feel very much 25 on the inside. Friendships I still have is crossing a 20 year barrier with much more frequency. Places I used to visit are closing up and I find myself saying where things used to be with scary clarity. People are forming families, reforming their relationships, finding their true calling in life, growing up, dealing with their own baggage (or not), moving on in life. You don’t quite realize how cruel the world could get, especially if you feel lonely. I’ve felt lonely most of my life until the last handful of years where I realize that the solution lies from within. Tapping into the source of energy and vitality that I came into this world with. The pandemic has afforded me the opportunity to search within to really appreciate who I am. It’s been 35 summers, and there’s not that many more to waste…
This summer, I’ve learned to be more forward in being clear with what I need, to use the tools I’ve learned to nurture and heal, and to build my tribe based on what I value: openness, trust, creativity, intelligence, wisdom, abundance, and growth-mindset. It’s my goal this year to invest more time and effort towards building the kind of audience that could appreciate what it means to be. Just be. Coming back to the states into the stress of the day-to-day, it’s already alot- and many of the dramas that play out are just in my head. There’s time to build the kind of legacy I want to leave for the universe, musical and otherwise, but not much time to waste.
Let’s enjoy the moment and each other- I have more thoughts and photos to come soon.