Being an Artist

8/29/07
I just left the Ledisi concert in NYC at the Highland Ballroom, and damn if that girl can’t sing. And, it’s not just about the singing. Its about the experience…the entire show, the emotions, and the energy; both hers and that of the audience. It was really a great experience. GREAT!!!!
I have followed Ledisi’s career for the past couple of years, and she has a tremendous CV for what the public at large has come to under-expect from independent artists: singing with Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, selling out shows on 4 day runs…I mean the list goes on and on. Up until I met her, I was sure the magic of her music was a result of her command of her voice. She is a technician in every way. But once putting that element of knowing her person, and the live show…well, the magic is multi-faceted. She is a talent, and indeed an artist is the true sense. It was her rendition of Yesterday, that reminded me of just how being able to sing and perform is such a gift. At least for me, it was cathartic in the sense that when I am on stage, its like an out of body experience, like God is working, even when I am singing not so Godly songs. It’s like I am an instrument, because what I am doing and feeling is so natural and flowing. Like I am a puppet. But it’s the best feeling, like I belong.
The good thing about seeing her show too, and it probably wouldn’t have happened had I not met her before, was that I was an artist watching her, and I experienced it as such. In my daily pursuit of success as a recording artist, I have become so self-centered and driven, that I sometimes loose sight of other folks outside of myself; its kinda’ a blessing and a curse consistent with the mindset of running a race…while you are running, you look straight ahead, not to the sides or behind, just to the finish. Nevermind, Dr. Ruby Glover, jazz extraordinaire telling me… in art there is no competition (blushing in embarrassment). But tonight, I was very much an artist experiencing Led’s art and living, growing and breathing though that experience, and in turn making my art, I guess, even more fortified (not to mention my run on sentences and poor grammar). Isn’t that what it is all about? Sharing, giving and taking? I am really sounding like some Iyanla Vanzant/Orpah shit, but…what’s the point of doing anything creative if no one or nothing is CHANGED? Whether it is me, or someone that hears or sees my stuff. If no one is changed, then the art has failed. Its gotta’ make you think, make you laugh, cry, disagree, go home and make love, blush, SOMETHING.

When I gave Led a kiss goodnight after her show, I passed her a note that I wrote during her set and it read:

U SANG YOUR ASS OFF!!! U touched me tonight, AMAZING, you make me want to be a better man, a better artist, a better person and grateful for it all. Thank you BOO.

You know, why limit that shit to just my art…how about in life. I want to change folks, make them think. Everyone that I meet, I want to add something to their life no matter how fleeting.

Damn…now I really feel good.