Sometimes people see "Musician" in my headline and wonder if I'm a professional musician.
I do play in a reggae band, and I have recorded my own ragtime blues music.
I've made a few bucks over the years from tips and the nominal fees from restaurants, bars, and festivals.
I've played at some cool venues like the outdoor stage at Lagunitas Brewery or packed intimate house concerts. I've also played at a West Portal yogurt shop where the only audience was a drunk guy demanding Led Zeppelin.
So, no, I'm not a professional musician. But music is a big part of how I identify. And not just as a musician. As a listener too. As a seeker. As a global community member.
My social justice and equity work is based in curiosity and exploration of new ideas, people, communities, and concepts that were previously unfamiliar to me.
Same approach with music. I mostly stay away from mainstream. There's nothing more joyful than a new song from a new artist (to me) becoming my immediate favorite song.
Or learning about the history and politics that informs an artist's music.
It's all interesting, relevant, and interconnected.
So, on Fridays, starting today, I'm going to share a playlist I've created that represents a little bit of who I am, what I believe in, and what inspires me.
Enjoy.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2DzKnztSRlrtLdjmvokqvL?si=912e5d8284b04f39