Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive. - Howard Thurman, African American mystic and activist
traveling, bicycling, swimming, writing words and music, photography, doing impressions, juggling
Music
"There are only two kinds of music...good and bad."
-- Duke Ellington
Movies
On The Waterfront, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Broadway Danny Rose, The Big Chill, When Harry Met Sally, Pollock
Television
Sparsely and non-commercially. American Masters (PBS)
Books
Many!
Heroes
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa
"Stop thinking this is all there is. Realize that for every ongoing war & religious outrage & environmental devastation, there are a thousand counterbalancing acts of staggering generosity & humanity & art & beauty happening all over the world right now on a breathtaking scale. Resist the temptation to drown in fatalism, to shake your head & sigh & just throw in the karmic towel. Realize that this is the perfect moment to change the energy of the world, to step right up & crank your personal volume: right when it seems dark and bitter & offensive & acrimonious & conflicted, there is your opening. Remember magic. And finally believe you are part of a groundswell, a resistance, a seemingly small but actually very, very large impending karmic overhaul, a great shift, the beginning of something important, potent, & unstoppable."
- this quote was transcribed from the wall of a place of worship
About me: I feel extremely grateful for the gift and vehicle of music and have been truly blessed to work at what I love so much.
I started playing music in Port Chester, NY in 1963 on bugle and piccolo; I added the C flute soon after and some years later, the alto and bass flutes; The most recent additions to my "peaceful arsenal" are among the elders, so to speak, of the flute family: shakuhachi (the plural of shakuhachi is also shakuhachi), an end-blown bamboo flute that came to Japan through China and believed by some to have originated in Egypt; and lastly, alto shakulute, a recently developed hybrid flute with a shakuhachi mouthpiece on the alto flute (seen in my pics), the first of which, after the prototype, was made for me by my friend and renowned shakuhachi maker, Monty Levenson in his solar and hydro-powered workshop in Willits, California. My love for the alto saxophone came in my late teens and was later followed by the tenor, soprano, baritone and finally sopranino.
I play a wide range of music and am grateful to be surrounded by a circle of beautiful, soulful and creative people here in Miami and around the world.
After years as a sideman, I co-produced "Wind and Strings for Yoga" in 2004, a live flute(s), guitar and cello recording made at St. Saviour's Church in Bar Harbor, Maine with Jon Dichter (guitar) and Monica McIntyre (cello). You can hear it at cdbaby.com/cd/jondichter3 People have told me that it puts them to sleep, which pleases me!
I also play soprano saxophone and sing lead vocal on "Judgement Day" with Wackiavelli (Wackiavelli.com and myspace.com/Wackiavelli), a politically and socially-minded band formed in December '04 by original Mandrill guitarist, Omar Mesa. Now in rotation on Satellite Radio's XM76 Fine Tuning, "Judgement Day" is Reggae/World with a poignant rap, exposing the hypocrisy and corruption of an Administration that has wrought severe havoc and destruction. To quote the song, "some praise the flag yet burn the Constitution... while democracy's in danger of total ruin." You can hear a clip and read the lyrics at Wackiavelli.com and hear all the songs on the CD, "No Justice, No Peace" at myspace.com/Wackiavelli
click here to learn more
If the above elicits a strong response, as it does in me, speak and act for peace.
Who I'd like to meet: Like-minded sensitive, funny and creative people of consciousness.
Hello There Sweet One Did Anyone Ever Tell You, Just How Special You Are The Light that You Emit Might even Light a Star Did Anyone Ever Tell You How Important You Make Others Feel Somebody out here is Smiling About Love that is so Real Did Anyone Ever Tell You Many Times, When They were Sad Your E-mail made Them Smile a bit In Fact It made Them Glad For the Time You Spend Sending Things And Sharing whatever You Find There are No Words to Thank You But Somebody, Thinks You're Fine Did Anyone Ever Tell You Just How Much They Like You Well, My Dearest "Online " Friend Today I am Telling You I HOPE I GET THIS BACK I believe that without a friend you are missing out on a lot!!! Don't be confused by friends and acquaintances, there is a difference! Because I care about you, It's national care week .. . .
and you get to send messages to all your friends telling them that you care about them and make them feel good about themselves and if they write back .
(just once) then that means that they care about you too.
BUT, you have to send it right now!! Send it to everyone you care about and if they send it back That means they care too.
But don't just send it back, send it on to everyone.
......................Make a Smilebox postcard...... Valentine's Day is a day of love Where love is as bright as the sun We share kisses, and even a hug With people we call our loved ones Unrequited love is oh! so harsh When the one you love doesn't love you You feel you're left standing in the dark Wishing this reality were untrue Well that's why Valentine's Day is so great It encourages you to show you care It makes you just wanna say I love you and will always be there I once loved someone in this way And I was encouraged on Valentine's I went up to him, just to say I would like you to be mine
To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect
What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.
Happy Holidays my dear friend. May you have love that never ends, lots of money and lots of friends. Health be yours, whatever you do and may God send many blessings to you. XOXOXOXO
