Fifty years later I have, again, walking the true path. But, as I move forward it is without so many of my heroes. And, for sure, Jack DeJohnette is one.
I was privileged to actually see Keith Jarrett in Carnegie Hall in 2002 . I had a front row seat close to Jack DeJohnette. That was a significantly defining moment.
Fifty years before 2002, I graduated from law school in 1974, I got married, my first child was born. It was also a time of definition. Music was in my life, and I had a bass. Charles Lloyd, Bobby Hutcherson, Keith Jarrett, Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Chic Correa, Weather Report, Jimi Hendrix, Riche Havens, Pharaoh Sanders … and others were indelibly scribed into my consciousness. And, Jack was there! He’s been inside of me for a long time.
Around 1978 I stopped actively playing music. In that phase of life I focused on family, spiritual growth, intellectual advancement in continual study of metaphysics and, more than anything it was work in providing and protecting my family. Self-discovery in the love of music ended and active music participations left abandoned.
Somewhere in my poetic pile is a poem I wrote about Jack DeJohnette over fifty years ago, around 1978. It ended with the rhythmic refrain, DeJohnette, DeJohnette, DeJohnette! Three triplets. His name is rhythm 5/4 or 10/8, how I feel it. That’s all I recall. When I have time, I’ll see if I can find it.
I miss him, but will live by his inspiration of love and peace, where he rests.
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