On August 7, 2007, San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds
hit his 756th home run, breaking the all-time career home-run record, formerly
held by Hank Aaron. Sadly, this remarkable
achievement was clouded in controversy over his alleged use of
anabolic steroids.
As a musician, the irony of this controversy is not lost on
me. What if all the notable achievements in music that resulted from the
artist being "under the influence" were discounted? Imagine - no bebop
without heroin; no reggae without marijuana; no psychedelic rock without LSD; no
cool jazz without martinis - well, you get the picture.
"Jazz, as well as other types of music, has always been about the
search for inspiration and the inner connection. In the nineteen twenties
and thirties, many jazz musicians sought it with alcohol. In the forties,
it was heroin, the new buzz. And what is the attraction of heroin? You can't
think, you can only do. You can only play what wants to come out. You
accept everything that comes out without worry or pain."
-- Kenny Werner, from his book "Effortless
Mastery"
Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating the use of
substances to attain excellence. However, the artist's endless quest to
reach that magical creative space is worth exploring.
"Early in his life, saxophonist John Coltrane found heroin. A bit
later, he used LSD. Eventually the search led to no drugs. Toward the end of his
life, his path had evolved into meditation, diet and spirituality. Finally he
found what he was looking for within himself."
-- Kenny Werner, from his book "Effortless
Mastery"
For the listening audience, just experiencing the Music may be the
magic potion that evokes that state of blissful inspiration. I've got
the stuff you need at these upcoming live performances!
Thursday, August 23
saxophonist Sonya Jason's "Style"
with guitarist Jeff Buenz and
acoustic bassist Perry
Thoorsell
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
(650)
728-2739
390 Capistrano Road
Princeton By The Sea, CA
6 - 9 p.m., no
cover
Friday, August 24
saxophonist Sonya Jason's "Smooth"
with drummer Tommy Bradford
keyboardist Dr. Dee Spencer
and electric bassist Dan
Feiszli
Shanghai 1930
(415) 896-5600
133 Steuart
Street
San Francisco, CA
8 p.m. - midnight, no cover
Tuesday, September 11
saxophonist Sonya Jason's "Groove"
with drummer Rob Rhodes
and keyboardist John R.
Burr
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
(650) 728-2739
390
Capistrano Road
Princeton By The Sea, CA
6 - 9 p.m., no cover
Thursday, September
13
soul jazz vocalist Pamela Rose
with saxophonist Sonya Jason
Shanghai 1930
(415)
896-5600
133 Steuart Street
San Francisco, CA
7 - 11 p.m., no
cover
Friday, September 14
The Band at Nick's
with saxophonist Sonya
Jason
Nick's Rockaway Restaurant
(650) 359-3900
100
Rockaway Beach Avenue
Pacifica, CA
8 p.m. - midnight, no cover
Friday, September 21
saxophonist Sonya Jason's "Smooth"
with keyboardist John Seppala
drummer Tommy Bradford
and electric bassist Dan
Parenti
Shanghai 1930
(415) 896-5600
133 Steuart
Street
San Francisco, CA
8 p.m. - midnight, no cover
Friday, September 28
vocalist/drummer Glenn Walters
with saxophonist Sonya
Jason
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
(650) 728-2739
390
Capistrano Road
Princeton By The Sea, CA
7 - 10 p.m., no cover
Discover more about the
various BANDS that I lead (descriptions, mp3 demos and song lists) by
clicking this link:
View my
complete PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE anytime by clicking this
link:
Feel free to forward this email to
your friends who love SAX.
Use the handy Forward to a Friend
link below!
I THANK YOU for your
appreciation of good music and the artists who make it!
Sonya
Jason
(650) 563-9155
P.S.
"Reality is just a crutch for people who can't cope with
drugs." -- Robin Williams
Do you feel the need to pump steroids just to keep up with
your endless emails? Are you ready to come clean and face the reality of
your overwhelming Inbox? You may be removed from my email list by replying with,
"I never knew they were steroids!"