karen@karengray.com
202-744-5771
I got deeper into my studies as a jazz vocalist during a time when I was dealing with some really challenging questions in life. At the time, I thought that the music offered a convenient distraction. But as I learned what it would take to improve my voice and my singing, it seemed to me that many of the same principles would improve my life as well. What do you think?
Life and jazz are created in the moment.
Even when you're not playing solo, your individuality is still important. If you give up yourself in order to fit with the group, you haven't given the group as much as you could.
Be disciplined in developing your technique, so you can be free in expressing yourself.
There is beauty in the sounds, and also in the silence between the sounds.
Improvisation is a source of beauty. But without a strong base (or bass), it may well lead to chaos.
There is not just one right way. And a sure thing will surely become stale.
Even on a bad day, it's good to be a musician.
It can be sad and yet be very beautiful.
Each moment is unique and somehow unpredictable; but we don't have to be passive about it; the principles of life, and jazz, can be taught and learned.
The best lessons you can learn may be more about unlearning old boundaries and rules.