The Treasure in Your Sound
We have often referred to “Your Sound” as a foundational practice in our jazz model and what a jazz musician strives for in their desire to achieve mastery on their instrument. “Your Sound,” representing your style or voice is how a master of the music is recognized and how their contributions become seminal to the music. We’ve written about Your Sound as a form of freedom and expression; as both a particular and universal quest; and about the varied dimensions that it can take.
Recently, a couple of outstanding musicians reaffirmed the significance of this practice:
The first was at the inaugural NoMad Jazz Festival held in Madison Square Park at 23rd Street in Manhattan. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon as we settled in on the lawn, excited to experience the vocal dexterity of Michael Mayo, the virtuosic swing of the Roy Hargrove Big Band and the rich vocal tones of Lizz Wright.
By the time Lizz graced the stage in her emerald green maxi dress, the sun’s rays were dancing through the canopies high above creating a warm twilight caress that enveloped us. As Lizz began her set, we both agreed that she had acquired her distinctive vocal styling through years of performing gospel, jazz, and Americana. I experience Lizz as a very soulful vocalist who connects deep down where queries about our humanity continually echo.
Towards the end of her set, Lizz performed Salt from her album of the same name. The lyrics brought the practice of “Your Sound” immediately to mind.
Salt
How can you lose your song
When you have sung it for so long?
And how can you forget your dance, your dance
When that dance is all you ever had?
It must be, it must be true
You can't separate the two
Oh no, you can't
It's impossible to do
Just like the salt in the stew
Oh my, it's all a part of you
One thing that life cannot do
Life can't do it, no
It can't take your song from you
So when life brings a chance, a chance
For you to give your part, to give your part away
Don't just stand there feeling scared
Don't be afraid
'Cause there could be a treasure right there
Now listen, listen to the truth
It does not matter, doesn't matter what to do
Still gonna be you
Just like the salt in the stew
Yeah, it's all a part of you
Her lyrics say it all. Your sound springs from a deep reservoir that cannot and should not be denied or ignored. Self-awareness and a steadfast faith that you have something good to contribute will allow you to take advantage of opportunities as they are presented.
Wayne Shorter, photographer Robert Ashcroft
A recent New York Times article revealed that the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts has acquired the extensive artistic work of the late Wayne Shorter— heralded as an iconic jazz master, prolific composer and band leader. His scores, artwork, recordings, notes, correspondence, and more will be catalogued and made available for the public to experience. In the article, Wayne’s wife said that through his artistry, Wayne wanted to raise the nobility of the human spirit and he wanted every person who played each and every note of his compositions to feel that intention and spread it into the hearts of the listener.
Wayne’s philosophy and Lizz’s lyrics speak to the inviolability of the soul. The journey of embracing our sound is an ebb and flow of discovery as we recognize and nurture our gifts. When we consciously declare what we value and live into those values, we honor our sound in the form of the contributions that we bring to the world.
