WwwwOW, this place is paradise. I have not seen the beach for quite some time, and it is very sad that I forgot the world could be so clean, clear, natural, magical. Watchin the clouds. From my current seat, I have watched the sea turn so many varieties of blue. Right now it storms out, these huge sheets of long sleek rain come in sideways, spraying everything on the east facing balcony with a deliciously cool fresh wet. The wind bassy and wooming pushes the long sea grass into a strong bowing curve. Amazing, the sea gulls fight and flap in the wind while junkloads of fish jump out of the waves in a domino effect, gulls nose diving into the grey green blue surface. i think the japanese word “subarashi” (effervescently wonderful) suits this scene to a t.

The air is fresh, the sun is fat and white and wide across with different cloud tribes that travel through. Sometimes billowing and castle-steeple like, sometimes feathery morphing shape-shifters forming and disappating, sometimes heavy, bruised and swollen kinds that drag a rain tail along as they float. It’s insane. Going back to Beijing after being here is going to be a challenge. 10 years in such a vibrant mega city does make an impression on a person after such a long time.

People here are extremely kind and nice, as the beach will chill the most hardened folk out after a time. I played a gig last week in Delray Beach and had a great time. Will do this again when I’m back in December, plus more. I also met some yoga folks, so perhaps my next time around I can teach a few workshops. Fun.

Lots of creativity. Full moon tonight, happy to be with my loved ones, diggin my deep tan and the golden sun in my hair. Will record many new songs and have them up online in the next few weeks. Just a few more days on this magic. Peace and love to you all. Beach Jess*****

This is in spanish. But. Kim’s interview is through out the 30 minute documentary about women that participated in this dance workshop. They are all prisoners. There is alot of dancing and expression. I think it is very important to remember that the penal system (worldwide) is insane. Many countries do not rehabilitate, rather, they just throw away their trash…but these people are people. We all know that it is possible to change with love and guidance. Fortunately for Kim, she is in Barcelona, and they boast to have very “friendly” prison systems.

This foundation that does this program is excellent.  Enjoy. And meet Kim, beautiful spirit with a gorgeous dance.

http://www.rtve.es/mediateca/videos/20091130/granangularcat—dansa-interna/639596.shtml

new york city
august 2010

Jess Sings Spike Hill, Brooklyn

hot child in the city. that’s me. and hot is definitely a description that suits this time of the year. dear lord, summertime in new york city is very much like baking in a concrete oven. even the parks are smoldering. the first few days were stunning weather. cool and sunny, with clouds shape shifting across the sky in the wind. i think just for old times sake, new york is giving me some real good august heat. fortunately for me, i am just visiting.

i have been meeting up with new and old friends, mostly all musicians, from berklee, from china. the world gets smaller and smaller. it’s been so cool to see such high caliber players, to hang and jam with super-joy-filled songwriters, to communicate and share in the language of music. fun.

the other night i saw the Boston Boys, which is Eric Robertson (the writer, singer & badass mandolin player) + guitar (Stash), sax, bass & drums (Nick Falk). super good. like watching bluegrass/jazz on mdma. ha ha. really. and jamming with them later on a rooftop racks up with many of my superb memories.

i went to a jazz jam session in astoria sunday night. i sang two songs, and everyone enjoyed. i think it’s the light in which i am singing that warms rigidity and soothes alot of people’s heart chakras.

i am extremely grateful to my way of living. being able to practice awareness in my yoga/movement/meditation, and practicing it all with life is a way to set the mind free of all the cacaphony that bombards us from the outside as well as the stomping grounds of our minds. the mind likes to be busy in thought, and the practice calms this mental square dance so that the heart can express itself with out the taint of ego-centered blah blah blah. what i notice in new york city among the musicians (who are all excellent in their craft) is a dissatisfaction in the over life they are living. not all * of course,  but there is this mentality that new york is hard, the economy is down, and people aren’t interested in coming out. another belief is that there is a lack of community in the music being created because it is so hard to retain players for a project because everyone is doing the make-money hustle. i see that nyc has many many benefits, and i see the downside. beijing doesn’t have as many high caliber musicians, but it does have a healthy way of existing for the creative musician. it’s been good for me, all these years there. i am able now to project this way of life to no matter where i live. world, here i come.

stay tuned for more bloggin.

hey younz trees!

It’s very beautiful here in Western Pennsylvania. The skies are vast and painted with white whisps that feather all over the blue blue sky. Can’t say there has been one ugly day or night here. The stars are plentiful and handsomely dotted all over the sky in perty shapes. I sit in the sun with my eyes closed. It heats my neck as the cicadas buzz and whir and the birdsongs butterfly about.

Enjoying my family and the fresh air. I am in NYC tomorrow morning for 10 days. Playing with some ol’ friends of mine – Sam Minae on bass, Sean Nowell on horns & such, Joe Alba on drums (he’s a mo fo) and 2 Swedes I am about to become acquainted with. We will play a mix of stuff – from a few of my compositions (Now is the Time, Kiss, and The Moon Song) and some of theirs. I like. August 2, 6,  7, 8, & 9th – all the gigs are listed on Sean’s Site www.seannowell.com

August 2, at SPIKE HILL 8-9pm  Bedford Ave btw/N6th and N7th, Williamsburg, Brooklyn New York
August 7, at FAT CAT,  10pm-1am   75 Christopher St and 7th Ave   Greenwich Village New York
August 8, at Brooklyn Lyceum  9-11:30    227 4th Avenue    Brooklyn New York 11215
August 9, at The Shrine,  9-10pm      2271 Adam Clayton Powell Junior Boulevard,  Harlem New York 10030

Stay tuned for more from me after I get to the city. I gotta go charge my camera battery and get myself ready for this journey. :) Love & Light…JESS*****