BE YOURSELF – music is a language.
Do you know that out of 6.6 billion people in this world, nobody looks alike? Even an identical twins have different thumbprints. Not only humans, but also plants and animals differ from each other. Isn’t this amazing? Do you think this is merely a coincidence? Absolutely not… Existence has purposefully made us different from each other – but why? Because no other joys are comparable to the ones by being your own true self. Only through your own originality, you can experience the eternal joy of life.But the question is if there is so much ecstasy and joy in being oneself, then why cannot we be so? What are we so afraid of? What is keeping us from this source of ultimate blissfulness that could flow into our lives any moment? First, you need courage. Yes, a tremendous courage to fight back and resist those factors that have been prohibiting you from becoming your own person or simply being yourself. Yes, you need to stand up for your rights and protest against all the impediments that have been posing threats to your growth. You need to act on your own. Don’t think that someone will come and rescue you. You are your own messiah. You have to show tremendous courage to make your own decisions. You might be condemned, you might be ridiculed, you might be threatened – but you should not give up your fight. You are fighting for your own inner freedom; you are fighting for your own individuality, and your own originality. Be a rebel and start your inner revolution before it is too late. Your original self is the most beautiful, highest and eternal gift that has been given to you by your own existence. So don’t give up, and don’t compromise for something lesser and temporary.
Second, you need to drop your fear. Society has been instigating fear among people for centuries, and so far, has succeeded in creating a wall between you and your growth. It’s about time that you bring that wall down. This can only be done, when you are not afraid. Yes, you will face challenges. Yes, you may be mocked, you may be rejected, you may be condemned. Others and society will do all their best in preventing you from achieving your mission. They will keep creating a wall of guilt and fear in you, but you shouldn’t be afraid anymore. Remember, you have already begun an inner revolution; its fire will conquer all the hurdles in your path. Don’t surrender. Face all the insurmountable difficulties with great courage. Others may try to bring you down, run you over, and topple you, but be strong. You have to be as strong as the trees that do not fall in a heavy storm. The trees which fall in the storm are themselves responsible for their death as they were too weak to face the strong wind. Yet, the wind wasn’t strong, instead the trees were weak. So drop you fear and be ready to face any storm in your way in being yourself.
Third, is by accepting your responsibility. Yes, this is a very daring step. All the problems, all the source of our misery, is our own incapability to accept the way we look, act, and represent ourselves. The moment you accept this, you become responsible. By accepting yourself, you have embraced this responsibility, and you have given birth to a deep love for yourself. Once you start loving yourself the way you are, joy will shower you from everywhere. You will feel happier and blissful. Only then growth will blossom in your soul, and you will become the flower of your own self. A flower that radiates with its original fragrance that lives in freedom, and dies in utter satisfaction and glory…
Fourth, awareness is needed. People have to become aware of a fact that every individual is unique and he/she has is meant to grow differently than others. Society, the parents, religion, politicians, and the educational system should be conscious of this fact, and allow freedom to every individual to choose their own path, support and motivate each individual to become their own flower. People should be provided enough love and nourishment to fully develop to their enormous potential. The individual should not be imposed, threatened, and swayed to become somebody they don’t want to be, as we all know the negative impacts of this approach. The child could have been a great poet, but his family forced him to become a doctor. The child could have excelled as an actor, but he was persuaded to become an engineer. This is why the child remains unhappy all his life – because he is not what he was supposed to be.
Remember that a lily seed can only produce lily flower, not marigold no matter how much you wish or try. Similarly, you can mold a child to become the way you wanted, but you cannot mold his inner self, instead you make his life miserable when it could have been utterly joyful.
To those grown up unconscious individuals brainwashed by the media and the pop culture, who want to look young forever or look like somebody else, open your eyes and peek once into your inner being. Do not waste your precious life in plastic hopes, be conscious of yourself, it is the most beautiful gift. Don’t be persuaded by people who simply want to exploit your vulnerabilities. Be strong, and learn to accept the way you are. You are already so beautiful. Only once you start loving yourself, you will be loved by everybody. - Enjoy your holidays...and really enjoy being YOU. - Thanks- Tim Price
~2013 has come and gone rather quickly, and is the culmination of a year starts to show it's end, the year wasn't bad at all, not to shabby,numerous writing and playing projects went great, and the challenge of balancing travel/performing with teaching. This week I’m able to wind it all down with family and relaxing and catch my breath before things heat up again.The year was a good one. My band Jazz-A-Delic played Berks Jazz Festival..The band has never sounded better. Several of the members are out and about working in the greater Philly area and beyond. Mark Ammett, Randy Sutin and Sean J. Kennedy are world class players, and great friends, they all have done a wonderful job. Google their names if you will...they are not people who invented themselves when Facebook started or for the cheap thrill of seeing their face in an endorsement- they as I said- are world class musicians.
The challenge, as is always the case, was to find the meeting place between jazz and groove music and show our roots in many musics, it is working and I am enjoying it. To me, it is one of the best bands I've lead recently. where all the genres are acknowledged in a respectful way. We will see how it all develops. We'reavailable worldwide..contact me for bookings.
~ I've also started to play with drummer Bill Goodwin in various projects.We did an excellent concert duo series at Michiko studios, that my friend Roberto Romeo produced. Roberto set this series apart and has booked some of the most unique and fresh sounds to hit NYC in a long time. Each band was different, each band carried a different message in the music. ALL...were duos.The concert at Michiko Studios was beyond words for me. To be able to be myself & create with the legendary drumming of Bill Goodwin in a environ of positive listening, attention and knowledge inspired me deeply. I'd like to thank Bill Goodwin, being the person he is. We've played in some very cool gigs together, and this one really had both of us thinking that we need to do more of this. And we will! You are a beautiful soul Bill & someone I always look forward to being in the music with. Thank you Bill. Also- huge thanks to the guys at Robertos for their tech help, assistance. Luke, Alberto ya'll rock hard- thank you. Of course the man himself Roberto Romeo. THIS CONCERT....and the duo series that is going on here is totally about the music. Which is the WAY IT SHOULD BE. Roberto knows as I do ( and hopefully you too) that the music is bigger than all of us. That's what's on my mind! Bill & I had a great time- and the vibes in the notes & tones for David S. Ware & Bert Wilson were there. Thanks to all who attended and showed real support by being there and...listening.
~ I'm also playing on a new cD with this amazing band with Sean J. Kennedy.On this new CD by Sean J. Kennedy....you can buy it at CD Baby. It has great tunes, players who are world class & I'm proud to be associated with. Check it out.The front line featured on HEY! WHERE'S MY TUX?! http://www.cdbaby.com/seanjkennedyband — with Erin Stroup, Mark Amentt, Dave Champion, John Stenger, Tim Price and Bob Wagner. Some of the best cats and great people, Sean's charts and the music is inspiring.Please check it out.
~ Also-Ernie Watts came by my home to hang in the start of October.He comes here a lot- we play music, listen to music and talk about music. I'm a lucky guy. I live in Reading, Pa- and he rents a car- when he's close and comes by.
This time he brought his sister Theora and his wife Patricia. We had some amazing spinach pies I brought from NyC, and some Italian soup I made special for the day. Inspiring and for real. as I said..THIS..Is why I play music. It's all about the music too, anything else is just...anything else. We're here to play music, keep the brotherhood going and further the music as much as we can. I've known Ernie about 28 years and we always hang like this when we are near each other. Like I said- It's about the music.2014 STARTS THIS SATURDAY WITH... Saturday January ....1/4/ 14 ; The Lafayette Bar/ Easton, Pa-Easton, Pennsylvania 18042 ..Tyrone Brown is the bassist, and I am very fortunate to have guys like him and Bill Goodwin & Randy Sutin to inspire me in the music we play. As many might recall Tyrone was the bassist with Max Roach for the last few decades, and someone I loved on early Pat Martino records too. Add Bill Goodwin drums & Randy Sutin on vibes, Tibetan nipple gongs and the cool vibe & food at the Lafayette Bar along with my man Tunsie Jabbour great vibe and healthy food- I might play all night.....Looking forward.And...there you have it. Ciao 2013...YO 2014! Forward motion for sure! Paix et amour to everyone. ~ Tim Price...
