Release a Day #3 ~ Spring Equinox 2020
I moved into a room once when I was in my mid 20’s and found an old banjo in the closet. It needed a lot of love, but of course I was intrigued. I nursed it into playing shape, bought new strings for it, asked a friend carve me a new bridge for it, and it became playable. I’ll never forget the first clear note that rang out from it, and that moment shaped my relationship with the banjo ever since. It made me think of so many other things than a banjo, and I resolved then and there to discover how to coax new life from this wild creature, figuring that there were enough banjo players in the world already, I wanted to do something different.
I’ve spent years exploring that path, and rarely have I ventured into territory where my banjo sounds like a bluegrass instrument, and I really like it that way.
This piece was born in the summer of 2019 in the backwoods of the Adirondacks of NY while on retreat with my family. I instantly fell in love with the vibe as I feel it captures the essence of a peaceful summer day.
On this first day of spring 2020 I thought I would offer something more in the spirit of the day as we welcome an uncertain spring with so much turmoil and challenge. I hope that this serves as a reminder of pleasant days both past and those to come. Perhaps this is my prayer for healthier days down the road for all of us…
