Hello – Life in the scene has come to standstill as we watch the world reckon with this virus. We posted a questionnaire a week and a half ago, preparing to add it to this edition. But it already feels out of date. We’re in for it, folks. Be safe, remain calm, find your empathy, be good to your neighbors, and STAY HOME. For real.
This week, Phil gives us the upside to being sequestered, new GCAC resources for artists affected (and a letter from Tom Katzenmeyer, president & CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council), and a community wide What’re You Spinning (WITH A NEW PLAYLIST)
ALSO, we still have info on our homepage about local and national resources, as well as some tips and activities. ALSO, Frankie wrote this great article last week if you haven’t seen it! CHECK IT OUT!
As Phil Sees It // Phil Maneri
How I Spent My Virus Vacation
I’ll talk more about Jazz next week. Things are very odd right now. Artistic people like me are used to weird and unpredictable circumstances, but this is pretty far out even for me. I’ve got plenty of home projects to spend my time doing. I’ve worked on the live streaming thing and have that together. I’ll certainly do some of that, but its already feeling somehow passé. I need the things I do in public art to feel special.
But the income has shut down. And although I’ve been here before, it’s never lasted as long as this is going to play out. Of course I worry, any self employed person is shitting bricks right now. In addition though, I’m feeling somehow a bit more relaxed. The shows are all shut down and performing artists are falling back and regrouping. My phone isn’t ringing with work and details of things to attend to. I seem to have time to study, perfect, reflect and rest. Note to self, when the world kicks back in again these things seem rather nice activities to continue doing.
Baking bread, and luxurious dinner prep, lingering with morning coffee; doing the little projects around the house I’ve put off forever because there’s not enough time because of the hustle. I’m broke, but I’m happy about doing all that.
I won’t give into panic. I’m enjoying my time with my son teaching him how to make biscuits from scratch, and discussing the ins and outs of Mahler as we gawk at the Berlin Philharmonic website and their flawless productions. (yeah go look at that). Walks around the neighborhood at a safe distance, which seems oddly comforting as I have a perfect excuse to enjoy them but not talk to anyone in my act as a temporary recluse.
I’ll worry about money tomorrow. Believe me I will. But today I can’t do much more than enjoy the people in my house that I love dearly. It feels like Christmas right now, not the gifty kind, the kind where we get to be together. My kid turned 13 the day they closed down his world almost two weeks ago and he’s only seen immediate family since then. Yesterday he called himself a “Quaranteen”.
I want him to remember this time as one of his best times. Maybe we will crash and burn, maybe not, but I want it to be lovely for him all along the way.
Enjoy your time alone, or the time with those you love if they are nearby. It’s a precious gift you may have to fight for later but for now it’s yours for free.
GCAC Resources // And a Letter From Tom Katzenmeyer
We will get through this together. The one thing I know about the people of Columbus is that we come together to help each other, especially when the going gets tough and the times turn bad. Sadly, while the next few months or longer will certainly be challenging, I know that we can count on each other to make it through.
When I read of the people of Italy, quarantined for more than a week now, who have begun singing and playing music from their balconies, I am reminded that in times of deep fear and despair the arts can provide a critical lifeline to our humanity. Our soul-deep need for beauty, love and compassion drives us to turn to the arts when fear feels like the only possible response.
The Greater Columbus Arts Council is committed to helping our artists and cultural organizations manage this unprecedented, worldwide crisis. Late last week, we issued advance final payments to arts organizations on grants already awarded and we extended the deadline for our largest grant program, Operating Support. The health and financial well-being of the artists and cultural organizations in our community are of great concern to us and we are continuing to look for ways we can help. Updates on our work, local and national resources, and grants to help artists and organizations will be posted on our GCAC Resources for COVID-19 page.
Below are a few suggestions for things you can do:
If you have tickets to attend an arts or cultural event that has been cancelled consider not requesting a refund if you are able. Every little bit will help. Be sure to connect to the host organizations’ social media sites to see if they are hosting virtual events or showing past shows to stay connected. Shout out to funders like The Johnstone Fund for New Music for paying performers for an upcoming series of concerts that were cancelled.
Again, if you can, consider making donations to Columbus cultural and social service organizations, even if it’s only $5. As above, every little bit will help.
Artists and organizations are starting to be creative in the way they share their art and earn a living virtually. Support them. Check the social accounts of your favorite artists to see what they are up to, or visit our page on ColumbusMakesArt.com to see what we’ve collected in virtual experiences (and submit your own!)
Support local restaurants by ordering carryout or delivery, or share kindness by giving restaurant gift cards to artists, furloughed friends or healthcare workers.
Take care of yourself and those you love. Practice social distancing as much as you can and follow proper health and safety procedures, but most importantly stay connected to family and friends through video, phone and social.
Be as kind, compassionate and as generous as you can with others. We are all fighting feelings of fear, disconnection and loneliness—cultivating the best parts of our humanity is one of our best defenses.
by Tom Katzenmeyer, president & CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council
HERE is the link again to the GCAC Covid-19 Resources page. You’ll find links to a new GCAC grant to support artists, updated health and safety updates, as well as a few other very helpful bits of information.
What’re You Spinning // Us
Here are some things the musicians in your community are listening to:
Tom Davis: The Top Gun soundtrack, Allman Brothers: Live at Filmore East, America: Homecoming
Matt Adams: Exactly right now “Reflection” on the album We Three by Roy Haynes, Phineas Newborn Jr., and Paul Chambers. The swing is sublime! In general though I listen to saxophone jazz. The last few days it’s been the intense stuff. Coltrane is perfect for me (and many, I suspect) in this time. Branford Marsalis, Charles Lloyd, JD Allen, Joe Henderson. You know, I have the time to close my eyes and really listen, so I’m digging deep I guess.
Anna Paolucci: chaikovsky, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra From when my father was the founder and creative director, News of the World by Queen, Steve Martin’s Best Fishes and Kind of Blue
My friend Dwight Adams was working on a Geri Allen tune last week at my house-called Dolphy’s Dance. It is incredibly challenging (the melody is nuts -in a good way). I’m working on this, trying to learn, relearn, learn deeper tunes I know. I’m also working on some new tunes of others and I am going to do my best to write some music. Also beginning a transcription-Joel Frahm/Brad Meldau duo record
CHECK IT OUT – The tune is East of the Sun
I have transcribed a couple of others on this record. Such a nice collection. Joel’s sound is captured amazingly and he plays with ease that I aspire to.
Emily Roe: Calming music lately but loving Stanton Moore today
Frankie Wantuch: Chris Thille, Vulfpeck (their live album)
Alex Burgoyne: Ambivalence Avenue by BIbio, Konitz Meets Mulligan, The Jimmy Giuffre 3, Bryter Later by Nick Drake, Bright Size Life by Pat Metheny, All of the untitled tracks in my iTunes, Lots of Gerry Mulligan Sextet
Austin Nill: D’Angelo, Little Dragon, new Tame Impala. Digging back into Black Star and the Mark Giuliana record Jersey, and Julian Lage Trio record.
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