Ramblings of a Modern Bass Clarinetist #10

The new Locksmith Isidore record is out today, November 30th, 2010. I called the album Three Kinds of Happiness after Plato's idea of the same name. There are three kinds of happiness. Happiness now, saddness later. Saddness now, happiness later. And happiness now, happiness later. This simple little idea resonated heavily with me when I first heard it in a philosophy class in college. It applies to a variety of areas of life and work. It is rare to find something in life that creates a sense of happiness in the moment, and that contribues to a happiness in the future. This is the pursuit of music at it's best-at least for me. The joy that music brings me both on the bandstand and alone in my living room runs deep in my mind and body. It is more than an art. It is a way of life that permeates most every moment of my days and nights. It is an angle and a perspective on things-the way information is filtered into my conscious mind. I can only hope that in my life, I am able to continue to develop the tools and means necessary to create the most beautiful music I can. This development is the best kind of happiness. The third kind.

This record is a special one. It was recorded the evening after we shared the bill with one of my heros, Roscoe Mitchell, in the great festival in Ann Arbor-Edgefest. Seeing and hearing Roscoe play was a great inspiration to me and I think it lifted our spirits and creative minds in entering the studio the following evening after driving back to town. Roebke and Pride are always a great pleasure to work with. But on this particular session the swing felt deeper and the ideas felt more powerful. It was a smooth and propulsive session that we knew was special from the first take. I am very critical of my own work and one of the hardships of making recordings is that by the time the album is released and heard by others, it often feels as though I've moved on in my playing. That the record isn't as interesting as it would be if I could do it over in the present. This is, I think, a point of vulnerability for many artists and something that I've grown to accept and be comfortable with. But with regard to this particular recording, I do not have that overarching sense of self criticism. I am, at least this once, very happy with my record. Who knows when that will happen again. I hope at least a few times...

Click on the album cover below to see what critics are saying about Three Kinds of Happiness.