@administrator said in Regarding Racism:

Racism has existed in music, too. We all know how Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and other black trumpeters were treated. The thing I find a bit ironic was that the white people loved their music, but still treated them like sub-human citizens? I don't know. Very odd.

I believe culture has much to do with this. It is my understanding that Miles had great respect for the French. He truly enjoyed the times he stayed there, and didn't experience the racial pressures there as he did in the US. In fact, many American jazz greats have maintained their base in Europe (Kenny Drew is another example). Remember it was our great country that traded in slavery.

I was also brought up by a racist mother, a Cincinnati born American. Through the hatred of color that I saw in my mother's eyes, I actually learned to oppose this, from being too close to it. I lived through the ignorance of racism first hand, and saw how that put anger into her heart. Fortunately for me, I survived and rose above it.

@djeffers78 said in Regarding Racism:

Also here in Cincinnati the race relations aren’t that peachy. I was one of 7 white lids in an all black junior high. Learned quite a bit about racism in those years. I was accepted by many though and I believe I’m a better person today for what I went through at that school.
We are all different and we should embrace and be proud of who we are

I remember Marge Schott, (owner of the Cincinnati Reds during the day) and some of the blatantly racial comments she would make about who she "owned" on the Reds team. Embarrassed the hell out of me for being a Cincinnatian at that time.

However, with the above said from my experience, I recall the picture of Miles Davis severally beaten by police for just sitting in front of birdland on 52'd street for just smoking a cigarette during a break. That image even more today than ever very much troublea me.

I have been accepted in my 50+ years as a trumpet player by all races, all ethnicities as an equal in all instances except one. I have not experienced such equality in such a way in any other endeavor I have undertaken. To me, being a trumpet player, being a musician is being an equalizer. Perhaps that is because music is truly a healing art.

@Kehaulani said in The New Reality:

@GeorgeB said in The New Reality:
I'm a dinosaur, Steve. I threw my cell phone in the garbage when I retired 20 years ago..and with good reason. Today I only own and use a basic desktop computer.

And what then, a land-line phone?

What about the classic tin cans connected by metal wire?

The real good news is I am playing in a club tomorrow night with a trio, and using social distancing. That is technology that I understand and can work with!

I am in the process of doing this with one of the big bands I play with. The leader sent us a click count file and we were to play against the rhythm laid down initially and then record on our audio files, then send the audio recording to the leader and he would splice into the composite recordings he receives. I have heard the developing additions and it works well, the only problem, is I do know for the life of me, how to record my part on my laptop at the same time that I am running the click count program. I have a call in to the band leader to call back and tutor me through the process.

@Rapier232 said in Staying in top playing shape post band shutdown:

In the UK the lockdown is still in place. No one knows if rehearsals and shows will even be back on by Christmas. With no reason to practice I must admit to a lack of motivation. I’m not sure I’m that bothered by it either. I might just sell my stuff and retire. Who knows?

No don't do that! You have wonderful equipment (your horns too)!

Life will be renewed. Stick with it sir! Music is healing yes? If in a year or so you want to reassess, then that would be fine, but if you give these up prematurely it will be harder and likely more of a hassle to replace them.

@Mike-Ansberry said in Olds Super Recording with sleeved leadpipe:

@jinitude Sorry. Sold it last week.''

Mike, don't you have another one. I believe you had 2, and the other one is a keeper is that right?