If a Note Were a Word

...and words were added

John, orchestra work, on Double Bass | Deborah Tracey Photography

For anyone who knows us, and I think I have mentioned it before, we are extremely committed to music and music dates. Not only is John a 48 year double-bass player and 45 year electric bass player, we both really, and I mean REALLY enjoy music together. We might even be considered nerdy. I say this because we especially love jazz and classical music. We pretty much love listening to all genres and have enjoyed concerts of popular singers and bands, including attending a lot of theater productions.

Music truly is our life.

Some of my favorite photography work was covering dress rehearsals for local theater productions and city music events, festivals. It’s beyond exhilarating, leaving an exhaustion that I wanted more of. Theater orchestras can be incredibly exceptional.

I have been known, all 5’4” of me, to be standing or sitting, front and center, to some of the best bass players in the world, from Los Angeles to New York. It might be odd, but I can rattle off names, like a good #bassplayerswife, and leave a room full of people staring politely, blank faced. It’s a thing and I enjoy ALL of it, especially the funk of geniuses like Marcus Miller, Abraham Laboriel, Victor Wooten, Christian McBride, Nathan East, Stanley Clarke, John Clayton, Esperanza Spaulding, Brian Bromberg and, yes, Jaco Pastorius… and so many more.

For 30 years I have worshiped in church, eyes closed, hearing the bass tones yearning for comfort, often watching the way John expressed himself, moving his entire body, hugging the electric bass, no words, worshiping the only way he knows how. Over the years he received a few cards in the mail, from church members, telling him how much he lifted their spirits just watching him.

I grew up with a drummer brother and I am keenly attuned to almost every single instrument, except I am a visual artist. I can’t play a note or sing in any kind of key that wouldn’t send you running for shelter. I’ve also seen some of the world’s best drummers, from Buddy Rich to Steve Gadd and photographed Dylan Elise for Blood, Sweat and Tears.

I don’t carry a lot of secrets, except in “another life dream” I am a background singer, high heels, sleek outfit, tall, moving my feet in my two foot square, working my arms, bent at the elbow, hands open near my shoulders, singing in near perfect pitch, holding harmony with my unrecognizable and extremely cool singing mates. When we watch music documentaries or singing talent shows, in the privacy of our home, and the band begins to play, I will often make John laugh by standing up, performing my best background vocal (sound off, mouth moving).

When we are driving the old van, on our twice yearly road trips, to see my family in Oregon, we bring a boom box, play loud rock and roll and I hit the dashboard drums with everything I’ve got.

Sometimes I think we’re annoying with the Spotify on the Sonos 24/7 on the weekends, however I think it’s not only a part of us, like the air we breathe, it’s always been our way forward.

If notes were words and words were added into the equation I’d say we have heard, my husband has played and collectively we have retained millions.

We kicked off Spring, as a reckoning in the wilderness. Our climb out felt almost complete by the end of April. Suddenly, I was witness to my husband going back in time, as if God said, “look here, where the notes saved you, grew you and made you who you are today… I am giving you new life. Go play your heart out. But don’t forget me in this new season.”

On April 29th , we both watched as Christian McBride and company delivered a new-aged genre’ that became a living room of sorts jazz session, marveling, once again at the mind of the musician. On May 7th I watched as my husband played his way through Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Zemlinsky. On May 19th, we broke our faces smiling, as we listened to 19 year old piano prodigy, Joey Alexander. It was equally infectious catching the grins of his bass player and drummer, marveled at the prospect of playing with such a mind, both incredible musicians themselves. We saw Joey in New York City, when he was 14, playing alongside of then 90 year old national treasure Dick Hyman. The show was beyond and so much more. Walked out of Lincoln Center wondering what just happened? Music, dance, art, life. On May 20th, I took a seat and watched as my husband completed his second symphony finale.’ He would be the solo double bass holding his own to the music of Bizet, Schubert and Vaughan Williams.

“Beethoven tells you what it's like to be Beethoven and Mozart tells you what it's like to be human. Bach tells you what it's like to be the universe.” ― Douglas Adams

..and last night, May 22nd, Matchbox Twenty waited three years to lay it all down at the Hollywood Bowl, the original tour schedule canceled in 2020. It was the band’s first time playing the Bowl, and it didn’t disappoint. Packed to the gills, devoted fans received over 2 solid hours of incredible skill, stage performance and effects.

Without the likes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and those of his time, our world would be static, lacking movement, joy and sentiment...which locks away in the safe of our memories.

The Devine math of musical notes and words carries us through history and forward into the unknown. Arranged by the Master Conductor, notes for the hearing, words for the blind. Together and apart they lace the expanse of the universe into one amazing story of Creation.

For this, I am eternally grateful.

Cue the music…

Pulled some bits and pieces from the last 15 years | top left clockwise: Eagles cover band “Long Run” (City of Ontario), “Conner” Senior Portrait, John with Silverados, John with current Bluegrass band, L.A. River String Band, My brother, Adam Gunn (right), former drummer, Arms Of America, U2 Cover Band, Las Vegas | shot by me Deborah Tracey Photography

Top left clockwise: “Mackenzie” portraits in studio, our granddaughter Violet “on bass” 1 years old, “Erin” Senior Portrait, “Bekah Liechty,” Girl Named Tom, Building a Sadowsky Bass Guitar, Sadowsky, NYC, “Molly Cherryholmes,” John with Roger Sadowsky, and, again, John’s bass-face closeup, and “us” May 22nd, at Matchbox Twenty, Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles

Top: John practicing at home, during high school. Bottom: John accompanying our youngest, Ian, 7 years old. Ian wanted to sing Alison Kraus’s “Simple Gifts.” John transposed the cello part (Yo Yo Ma) for double bass. Talent show at school :) They became an expected duo every year!