For the past six days, I haven’t been able to hear out of my left ear. I woke up and my hearing was like that. Over the past few days, my condition hasn’t improved. I’m hoping it’s a temporary infection or something that will run its course and leave me with full hearing capabilities. I refuse to see a doctor, out of the fear that I may suffer a worse fate than what I am anticipating. Beethoven lost his hearing, and even recently the brilliant saxophonist Chris Potter has been left without the hearing of an ear due to Meniere’s Disease. I don’t claim to be the caliber of musician that Potter or Beethoven is, but I remain optimistic.

What my hearing loss has left me with is an insatiable thirst to hear as much music as possible. I suppose it’s the old adage of taking things for granted until they are taken away. I have nearly quadrupled my normal listening habits which usually bordered on about 2 solid hours a day of focused listening (that is not including any music that happens to be on while I drive, cook, read, or practice). My new listening habits came with the thirst to hear music that I hadn’t heard before. I started opening the CD cases of the many recordings that I bought but never invested the time into. I followed that with combing through my LP collection and discovering records that I had forgotten that I had like McCoy Tyner’s Super Trios, and Pat Metheny’s 80/81recording to name just two fantastic recordings.

After my attempt of listening to the never played and under played I started exploring the recordings that line my shelves which I love and cherish. If I really am going to lose my hearing, why not revisit the recordings I love? Below is a list of the first 10 recordings I played. It would be impossible to claim these 10 as my top ten favorite recordings but they are all worth exploring if you haven’t checked them out.

1. John Hicks Live at Maybeck Recital Hall
2. The Complete Bill Evans Trio at the Village Vanguard w/ LaFaro and Motian
3. Thelonious Monk Underground
4. Miles Davis Complete 60’s Quintet Sessions
5. Complete Verve Bud Powell recordings
6. Hank Jones & Charlie Haden Duets
7. Keith Jarrett The Melody at Night with You
8. Billie Holiday Lady Sings the Blues
9. Paul Motian I Have the Room Above Her
10. Wayne Shorter Beyond the Sound Barrier

I will keep you updated on my condition…and if you have any home remedies or advice on hearing loss please feel free to email me.

Labels: Artist Thoughts, Artist Update

R.I.P. John Hicks (December 21st, 1942-May 10th, 2006)

John Hicks was my teacher, hero, and my friend. I loved him, and it has broken my heart to know that I will never see him again. John meant more to me personally than any other musician ever has, and fortunately for me, he also invested more time in my musical future than anyone else. I would love for John Hicks to be remembered for his warmth, humor, and his unique musicianship: there was no one quite like him and there never will be. My first album was dedicated to him, and a rare EP I released a few years ago contains a song I wrote dedicated to and inspired by him simply entitled, Mr. Hicks. I was fortunate enough to perform it for him at a concert at which I opened for him. I will always remember John’s look after that performance…I Loved Him Madly.

John's last performance on Sunday was at the church his late father ministered at - St. Marks United Methodist Church 138th Street & St. Nicholas. This was also the Church that John first played when he moved to NY from his native St. Louis.

John, You Will Never Be Forgotten.

Labels: Rememberance