Click on link to play. Amy on keys and vocals, Riley on drumset, Rob on tenor sax. Photo by Donna Dajnowski, used by permission of photographer.
FAMILY AFFAIR
Mother and daughter
Keyboardist and drummer
Our yearbooks diverged:
Mine said, “You are so weird,”
and her entries were all about
her coming out and being cool.
Years ago, the dissolution of
the marriage of her parents
put Riley in a tricky spot.
Years later, rarity of rarities:
Her dad, a great saxophonist,
joined us on a session.
Vintage jazz cut with
a medium beat, but
vintage Amy to the core.
We all felt vibes surfacing.
Felt the delirium of healing.
Created a legacy of friendship.
Sessions are not just for
the psychologist’s office.
Jams are not only spread
on whole wheat toasty bread.
Jazz has that knack of pushing back
what’s in the way; music, here to stay.
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For Jasmine Calyx, who printed an amazing list of words, including some of the above: Songwriter, surfacing, yearbook, drummer, keyboardist, rarities, delirium, legacy, dissolution, and vintage. She has a knack for highlighting the blogs of other poets… a truly selfless blogger. I dig her style – check her out! Also for Wonder Wednesday at Poets United (proud to be a member!), asking for poems about wonders of the world. I think that two exes and their daughter performing in one space, making great jazz, is a WONDER!
Riley, Rob Weinberger, and I did record this piece in a Binghamton, NY studio. Rob’s wonderful wife, Donna Dajnowski, took some pix. Lex was stuck upstate, but he thought it was a great idea. The cut needs some editing, but you get the idea. Peace, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
jasmine calyx
Girl, this is so cool! What a fun surprise! So glad to have you join in this time. 🙂
It’s all fantastic, but this is definitely my favorite: “Jazz has that knack of pushing back what’s in the way”
You have such a smooth flow, a natural way with sound—rhythm and rhyme. No wonder you’re a groovy musician.
Sharp Little Pencil
Jasmine, you are a delight. I will come visit soon. Amy
jasmine calyx
I’ll listen to your jam session tomorrow; everyone else is sleeping at the moment. Party poopers. 😉
Debbie
What a wonderful session! 🙂 Thanks for sharing it with us!
vivinfrance
I enjoyed that – all the more because of your evident happiness.
Polly Robinson
Cool ~ what talent
Roger Green
Got that song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdiRhzTsSnk Family Affair by Sly & the Family Stone stuck in my head. Coolness, in Binghamton, NY, wherever THAT is..
Sharp Little Pencil
As if YOU didn’t know, ha ha ha. Still love my home town… even as Cuomo begins fracking under it…
Lance
amy your voice is amazing! I like classic jazz like this. Your family is crazy talented. I’m bragging all over the internet about my 9 year old’s drumming and my bad guitar playing but your family is a bunch of super artists
Sharp Little Pencil
Lance, my daughter was actually professional at age 10, did her first gig with her dad’s group, Pandemonium, in Binghamton, NY. I’m third generation; Riley is fourth on my side, third on her father’s side (his dad is still a great singer at 90). She was taught to do whatever she loved and went from drumming to writing to art… with a few gigs thrown in now, at 24, to finance new art supplies! Thanks, hon. Amy
Kim Nelson
Music soothes the soul… and a whole world of hurts, too. Brilliantly pulled together, these diverse and varied notions, Amy; and what you is perfect harmony, poetically.
Yousei Hime
Fun, fun, fun from top to bottom. I knew you two would hit it off. 😀
ellaedge
Amy this is wonderful! The soothing tones of healing rippling like a pebble in a pond. What a symphony you have orchestrated with your words! Love it, love how music brought you all together~
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh what a wonderful post – how hearts can heal and bridges mend. Just lovely, kiddo, and, yes, a wonder!
kaykuala
It’s so nice to be together sharing like interests. Keep the connection on. It certainly looks like fun for everyone! Nicely Amy!
Hank
cloudfactor5
Ditto what Kim says:
“Music soothes the soul… and a whole world of hurts, too. Brilliantly pulled together, these diverse and varied notions, Amy; and what you is perfect harmony, poetically.”
You really are riding the flow here! My favorite line:
“Jazz has that knack of pushing back
what’s in the way; music, here to stay.” !!
seingraham
Wow – you nailed it! This truly does define WONDER! Good on you all for “letting the music take you” – one of those experiences you can press to your heart, take out and smile at any time you feel the need, or just whenever … precious beyond measure
Snakypoet (Rosemary Nissen-Wade)
Good poem, great story, and FANTASTIC music!
Renee Espriu
Hi Amy! I realize you have probably gotten lots of these but want to offer it in any case as I have been so encouraged by you and so admire what you do on your site. Your talent for both music and writing are wonderful. Have a Good Year in 2013. http://reneejustturtleflight.com/2013/01/20/blog-of-the-year-award-2012/
SaraV
Amy, I could just hear the smile in your voice. Amazing talent all of you!! I played piano and flute. Always thought it would be fun to play drums 🙂 Music is healing, especially when done as well as you three! Loved that ending stanza, “jams not only spread on whole wheat toasty bread” big smiles and a little teary emotion from healing music–wonder-full indeed!
Anthony North
Wonderful. Enjoyed your words – and jazz.
brian miller
nice…i agree with you…jam sessions can def be a good as therapy sessions….ha…the coming together through sound to make music and heal lives…
tigerbrite
This is sooo wonderful. Soothing, healing and melodic.
margaretbednar
tappin’ my toes! Nicely done. Love the last four lines and yes, music and jazz & two X’s playin’ together is awesome.