Play What's in Your Heart

For nearly 25 years, Priscilla and I have attempted to display the artist with their art.  The maker with the product. The entire story, rather than just the headlines.  To understand the importance of this, consider 'Mural' by Jackson Pollack. Recent newspaper stories have, to some extent, reduced the painting to being two things: 1) The (almost) physical victim of a flood, and  2) A commodity, like corn, to be (potentially) traded for a quantifiable number of dollars.  Then, as a counter-balance to this development, filmmaker Kevin Kelley created a documentary about 'Mural' that shines light onto a story that has always been much deeper than a couple of headlines.  He does this simply by showing us the larger picture, that is, telling us the fuller story.  With the creation of his documentary Mr. Kelley has, in essence, given 'Mural' back to Jackson Pollack.  Simply put, Kevin Kelley played an important role in moving the story of this extraordinary painting from the Business section of the paper, back to the Arts section.

Music and musicians are no different than paintings and painters.  You hear a song or see a show and a sliver of a larger truth finds its way into your awareness.  But by taking the longer view, with a continued focus, we are able to understand artists in a way that is, ultimately, more satisfying than what we are able get from hearing a single pop song on the radio.   Here are the headlines: His dad is from Tobago and his mom is from the U.K. He was born in Florida. The music of Jimi Hendrix has had a massive influence on him.  Sonny Rhodes saw his potential early, invited him to join his band, and told him to always, 'Play what's in your heart.'  In 2013 he won the 'International Blues Challenge' and the 'Albert King Guitarist of the Year' award.  His name is Selwyn Birchwood, and if you would like to know more about him, to get the 'fuller story', we invite you to join us on Saturday night.