Am enjoying being back to a more normal/busy gigging schedule, even as I am still getting used to it, or trying to (without an extra 8 hours or so in a day to keep all the non-playing plate things spinning, which never quite happens). Anyway, this (pictured above) was a fun gig, though I'll admit it was one that had "What have I gotten myself into now?" running through my head right up until the hit. Got a call to sub for the regular keyboard player in a trio that leans "smooth jazz". The other guys know where I'm coming from, and we created an amalgam tune list for the gig where we tried to draw from both our worlds. That can either be dangerous, or can be great fun. And there comes a point where the guys around you are laying down such a deep solid groove that you (or I) can't help but get really comfortable inside of it, even if it is music I almost never listen to (or play). But that's what living in the space (and in the moment) can do, and will do if you are prepared to let it. Recently was reminded of a Keith Jarrett quote: "My main job is listening. If you're improvising and you're not listening, the next second that comes up, you have nothing to say.". Years ago, I began to see music making as akin to prayer. And meaningful prayer (and things related to it) is much less about talking and much more about listening and aligning (and then talking, if so inclined). Music, at the deeper level is the same; listen, align, and then express, from that place, once you are prepared to allow that to happen. The restless mind is always lurking, ready to get in the way. Listening, in stillness, even as things swirl about all around, is the key.