Coronavirus came to Canada partway through my epic tour with Rae Spoon and Mohammad Sahraei. Playing music with Mohammad and Rae was a challenging, beautiful meeting of sounds and perspectives. We played shows in Yukon and Alberta, but had to bail on Ontario/QC as we swiftly realized we’d better get home and hunker down. We rushed through airports and got back to our families just as venues began closing and lockdowns were implemented. I am grateful for that time on the road. I had not toured much in the past few years, and may not again.
I am making community-building plans now, imagining the ability to implement some time. These weird days, I’m trying to home-school my kids and help some of my music students, and I’m thinking about improvised music. Everything is changing, and we need to be as adaptable and inventive as can be, to make our way in unfamiliar territory. Ironically, all I can bring myself to play right now are three-hundred-year-old classical guitar compositions that I have played since childhood, and fiddle-banjo tunes that come from just as far back. This old music keeps me grounded and helps me focus. Bach was a great improvisor. Imagination is essential work. When we can gather, I will be organizing some improvising sessions and you are welcome to come play.