This is from Homecoming Sunday at All Saints Church in Pasadena. It was such an honor to be a part of this celebration. The camera takes a while to find me and I’m singing behind a mask, but it’s a thrill when the choir comes in for the bridge. And if you listen through the sermon, Rev. Kinman weaves the lyric throughout and we reprise the song with the whole church to close it out! A gorgeous experience!
-->I’m really excited that at the beginning of the summer I was invited to play at The Grand Annex in San Pedro. I was able to debut a batch of new songs and rearrange some old favorites for an in-person audience for the first time in months. It was also the first time I’d played piano onstage for probably a few decades! Here’s “Reimagine,” a song I wrote thinking about what we were going to do when we emerged from this time of lockdown.
I’ll be releasing more music from this show very soon, so watch this space.
And, if you haven’t already, please join the mailing list to get announcements when the new music becomes available.
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You know that career question, “Where would you like to be in five years?” It always intimidates me. I’m too busy putting out the current fires.
When I moved from Laurel Canyon to Beachwood Canyon about 5 years ago, the answer was, “playing small theaters, writing music for films, writing, and teaching.” I didn’t think a lot of that would happen emerging from a global pandemic that — as it has so many — touched me intimately.
And yet, on the week that California opens up, I’m playing a small theater, on a stage with a grand piano and a few guitars, so eager to share what’s developed from the past year. I’ve been writing music for short films, engaging in deep conversation/writing about cultural reckoning in the US, and teaching. I’ve learned so much.
This won’t be the pandemic show though, of course. It’s part of the Roots and Rambles series that received an NEA grant to explore cultural underpinnings of American music. The show will be a celebration of life and other joys, with new songs and old. I’m just so happy to be doing it. I’m happy that the grant required an educational component, so we were able to do a songwriting workshop on Memorial Weekend.
I’m grateful.
I don’t know where all this goes. What fires will emerge? I do know, however, that this Friday will be special.
If you’re able to come, please get your tickets in advance here: https://www.grandvision.org/calendar-details.asp?id=1417
If you’re unable to come, please stay in touch and spread the word if you think someone else might be interested.
Finally, especially for those who can’t make it on Friday, I took part in an online tribute to singer/songwriter Harry Nilsson to celebrate his 80th birthday. Enjoy the whole Harry affair here. I’m smack dab in the middle singing his song “Perfect Day” which you can see here. I’m just singing into my phone from my studio, but Harry’s song captures the sweetness I feel when I get to share a night with you and friends.
Stay safe, stay engaged, hug when you feel able.
J
Jason Luckett / Roots and Rambles
June 18, 2021
Grand Annex
434 W. Sixth Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 833-4813
Doors open at 7:30
Show begins at 8
A live, in-person show in a San Pedro theater! This is a great way to head back to “normal.” See details below, or go to the event page on the Grand Vision website. Audience will be limited to 40 people, distanced, of course. But, tables up front are available at $100 flat and can accommodate up to four people. I cannot wait! This show is part of the Roots & Rambles series, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts.
I’m so excited that I’ll be able to play the beautiful grand piano there, in addition to the couple of guitars that I’ll bring, while I share a crop of unreleased songs and some old favorites. We’ll also be filming this show, so it’s going to be a really special night! [Read more here]
Let’s create songs together. In 45 minutes, we’ll work together to find descriptive and emotional language that will convey a story or an idea. We’ll look at tricks of rhyme and expectations to add depth and create interest. We’ll look at how we can model our song on existing material and create something entirely new. This is part of the Roots and Rambles series for the Grand Vision Foundation and the Grand Annex. See details below and look here for info on the live show on June 18.
