There are many complications with exclusively playing music from the past. Many of the most influential musicians are from the recent past; Robert Johnson, Miles Davis, Jimmy Hendrix, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, etc. These musicians not only inspired new musical ideas but also inspired social and political change that lasts still to this day. Music is a means of self expression and a very effective one, these artist used their talent and passion to provoke change in the way people were treated and perceived in their time. If we limit ourselves only listening to music of the past we would lose this powerful tool of self expression. The musicians of today would no longer be able to write music reflecting their feeling toward our worlds current state and those artists voices would never be heard. Past musicians worked hard to pave the way for future musicians and should be appreciated and recognized. However  to listen only to music of the past would mean losing the power that music has today.  Many of  the musicians of our time are the biggest BIPOC icons in history; Beyonce, John legend, lady gaga, kendrick Lamar, JZ, Snoop dog Stevie Wonder and countless more. Where would we and our future generations  find inspiration for change without the musicians of today? Where would we find  the courage to speak out and find the power to express ourselves?

As a singer and  keyboard player there are many current musicians to chose from who are inspiring in many different ways. I have chosen 4 pieces that are a good representation of my favourite current styles of music to perform;  Billy Joel, Stevie wonder, Boston (Tom Sholz and Todd Tejre.

There are many songs I love to play by Billy Joel; New York state of Mind, Vienna, Piano Man, The falling of the rain, scenes from an Italian restaurant. However Billy Joel released a classical piano album produced by Richard Joo with one of my favourite classical piano pieces. Although I am not good enough at piano to play  “soliloquy” I would love to be able to one day.

I chose this piece by Stevie Wonder because it is one of my personal favourites to sing. Stevie is one of the most influential artists of all time and this piece shows off his grove and his range.

I chose this piece by Boston because over the past two years I have become very passionate about rock music and Tom Sholz is one of my favourite rock organists. I love to play his organ solos to learn more about the rock organ style. Their vocalist Brad Delp is also one of my favourite singers.

Lastly I chose this song “Preben goes to Acapulco” by Todd Terje from his album “Album time” . nearly a year ago I purchased my first synth and I fell in love with the endless possibility of sounds. This album is explores so many different sounds and feelings and inspires my musical style.

“If you are to venture to interpret the past, you can only do so out of the fullest exertion of the present. Only when you put forth your noblest qualities in all their strength will you divine what is worth knowing and preserving in the past. Like to like! Otherwise, you will draw the past down on you.” 

My interpretation of this quotation is that Neitsche believed that to take anything valuable from the past we must be able to be fully present first, otherwise you will become the past. I believe that it is very important to have the ability to be present minded before we make evaluations about the past as the past brings up many emotions and can cause us to look at the past through clouded vision. This is why there is a growing trend of yoga and meditation.  Having the ability to look inward and experience the present fully allows us to observe the past, present, and future with a deeper understanding and take what lessons are important with us and leave what is not in the past.