Magical Moments

As we explore musical improvisation, we listen to the words of Jerry Garcia as he talks about about magical moments, wondering about their deeper nature.

A wondering that takes us back to a memory years ago made, that of sitting on the grass at a winery in Walla Walla. A simple stage, the Blue Mountains as a backdrop, with the sun slowly setting.

I have learned a lot about improvisation from watching my son perform. A gifted pianist, he courageously pushes harmonic edges in improvisations that offer a creative space, an Emergent Whitespace, for other band members to enter.

It was particularly in one song that many felt a magic Flow, Señorita, a pop song about a passionate conversation between two lovers.

Under the masterful guidance of Jake, their band leader, they played an improvised instrumental version while their lead singer sat on the stage and listened – a song that evolved into a passionate conversation between two musicians.

Jake started, handed it to Daniel on sax to establish the melody, then handed it to Jason who expanded the dimensions of the song, before handing it to Doug who deepened it. The song culminated with a musical conversation between himself and Daniel that intensified until you could feel the audience bubble over with joy.

A brilliant improvised expression of creativity that became a magical moment, Collective Criticality felt.