The theme of intent listening reminds me of when I was watching the New Orleans All-Stars in Preservation Hall—an old wooden floorboarded room with some chairs and a bench on the side.
The theme of intent listening reminds me of when I was watching the New Orleans All-Stars in Preservation Hall—an old wooden floorboarded room with some chairs and a bench on the side. The band was set up as if it was the 1920s, purely acoustic, with no microphones or any sign of technology other than warm electric light. Halfway through the set, the old trumpet player lowered his horn and began to sing. At that moment, the entire room leaned in and listened, charmed, joyous, and moved. We were transported to another time. A time that was drastically different for African Americans than it is today (even though the fight against systemic racism very much continues).