If you ever get writers block, try putting on some Miles Davis. Seriously. My cousin Frank lent me the Miles Davis live in Munich 1988 DVD and almost immediately, the aura and greatness of this musical giant channels through your soul and begins to wash away any strife, stress, or tension. Conveniently, Miles toured with well renowned drummer, percussionist, bandleader and composer Marilyn Mazur.
Marilyn is originally from New York but was raised in Denmark. She has formal training from the Royal Danish Academy of Music but her work on her instruments is mostly self taught, a very impressive feat.
The video below is a piece called Tutu from the Munich concert. Miles is a true master at his craft and has total command on stage. Yet he has an intimate connection with his band mates, standing close to them or placing a hand on their soldier, communicating with them casually and calmly. It allows his musicians to work their craft without any intimidation upon them, allowing a truly great collaboration to punch through. Marilyn has an impressive solo part at about 6 minutes and 50 seconds in.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO_MRu5WtOo&hl=en&fs=1&]
Read more about Marilyn at her website or if your fluent in Danish there is a documentary movie done about Marilyn by Danish film director Christian Braad Thomsen.
Alex Carulo