Magical Moments

As we explore music, improvisation, and The Practice of Practice at Derek Bailey on the Edge, we listen to the words of Jerry Garcia in part 4 and think about magical moments, wondering about their deeper nature.

A wondering that takes us back to a memory recently made, that of sitting on the grass at a winery in Walla Walla. A simple stage, the Blue Mountains as a backdrop, with the sun slowly setting.

I have learned a lot about improvisation from watching my son perform. A gifted pianist, he courageously pushes harmonic edges in improvisations that offer a creative space, an Emergent Whitespace, for other band members to enter.

It was particularly in one song that many felt a magic flow, Señorita, a pop song about a passionate conversation between two lovers.

Under the masterful guidance of Jake, their band leader, they played an improvised instrumental version while their lead singer sat on the stage and listened – a song that evolved into a passionate conversation between two musicians.

Jake started, handed it to Daniel on sax to establish the melody, then handed it to Jason who expanded the dimensions of the song, before handing it to Doug who deepened it. The song culminated with a musical conversation between himself and Daniel that intensified until you could feel the audience overflow with joy.

A brilliant improvised expression of creativity that became a magical moment, Flow felt.