This sublime short film is about “saxophone colossus” Sonny Rollins’ two-year musical sabbatical playing on New York’s Williamsburg Bridge and what he found there.
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Abdullah Ibrahim: How Improvisation Saves My Life
In this lovely animated film, legendary composer Abdullah Ibrahim tells how improvising guided him during dangerous run-ins with white police, an active practice throughout his life and music.
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Herbie Hancock: Miles Davis’ Essential Lesson on Mistakes
(Video link here.) One short minute of perfection: Herbie Hancock recounts the BIG life lesson he got by example from Miles Davis, when Hancock played what he thought was a seriously WRONG note during a gorgeous riff.
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Song for Monday: ‘Throw it Away’ (Abbey Lincoln)
Chris Eldredge recently sent this crazy-beautiful song by Abbey Lincoln (below). “These magic words in a magic book” seem perfect for re-entry to Improvised Life after the challenges of the past few weeks. Lincoln’s lyrics could be Improvised Life’s anthem and are a fine way to enter a Monday morning.
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