Moments, Memories, & Jazz

June 30, 2020

Lyrics to Ponder (1)*

Summer is here but we are all still inside, waiting for the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine with those...

May 31, 2020

No Words

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” –Aldous Huxley There is so much going...

by Laurie Early

April 23, 2020

The Sound of Community

I know I worked a little past 7 PM Wednesday night because as I was filling out my timesheet,...

by Laurie Early

March 21, 2020

Finding the Upside

For this month’s topic, I will highlight a form of visual poetry I have been creating during this time...

by Laurie Early

February 29, 2020

Hibernation Mode

Most people do not know that I enjoy soft-block carving and printing. Years ago I carved stamps of different...

by Laurie Early

January 31, 2020

Preparing for 2020 (Keeping Notebooks II)

FLOW is my chosen theme word for 2020 and I have been focusing on staying in a calm, creative...

by Laurie Early

December 15, 2019

Today’s the Day!

Happy 90th Birthday to Dr. Barry Harris! Many of his loved ones, friends, and students are gathering tonight in...

by Laurie Early

July 22, 2019

Vegetables in Manhattan (A summer fluff piece)

I almost cried when I saw the artichoke; it seemed to be trying to hide from me as I...

by Laurie Early

June 30, 2019

Bird Feathers

A quick post this month as I have been resting and healing and generally catching up on musical and...

by Laurie Early

May 31, 2019

Magnets and Distractions

My back is messed up. No use in going over why this happens to me periodically. I will accept...

by Laurie Early

April 8, 2019

Authenticity (Happy Birthday Billie Holiday)

“Everyone’s got to be different. You can’t copy anybody and end up with anything. If you copy, it means...

by Laurie Early

March 31, 2019

Free Inspiration

The best things in life, like inspiration, are free. I walk down a new street and chance to...

by Laurie Early

February 28, 2019

Carousels – Not For Me

This weekend I will be avoiding the luggage carousel by traveling light. I will also attempt to avoid any...

by Laurie Early

January 30, 2019

NYC – A Day in the Moment

Certain things grabbed my attention recently as I traveled from commitment to commitment. Manhattan is full of activity, but I...

by Laurie Early

December 31, 2018

Shift Happens

We can stay “in the moment” all we want to, be mindful and appreciate each passing second–but, even if...

by Laurie Early

November 30, 2018

Current, Flow, Swing, and Reflection

“Big Red Swing” 1971 Theodore Ceraldi Some months speed by, like a rushing river flowing through a narrow gorge....

by Laurie Early

October 29, 2018

Vocalese 101

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the...

by Laurie Early

September 30, 2018

Signs, Guides, and Flow

I really had no clue what I wanted to write about this month, until a sudden epiphany yesterday at...

by Laurie Early

August 30, 2018

Ten Years After

Anniversaries are a natural time of reflection. So I am commemorating ten years of my new life in jazz....

by Laurie Early

July 25, 2018

Moments of Silence

Silence can be the loudest sound in the world, especially if you are longing to hear the next note,...

by Laurie Early

June 18, 2018

Lyrical Triggers & Process

Sometimes it is as simple as a title I have no control over; an inspiration that opens a floodgate...

by Laurie Early

May 4, 2018

Sometimes I’m Happy

Things are getting really interesting this year! I am taking an improvisation class with saxophonist, Bob Mover, and have...

by Laurie Early

April 13, 2018

April Showers of Poetry and Prose

Do I have regrets? Yes, I do. I do. I regret every lost opportunity to look towards you and...

by Laurie Early

March 20, 2018

Roman Moments (I Never Knew)

I am back in New York now after a particularly poignant Barry Harris Jazz Workshop in Rome. It was...

by Laurie Early