Mindfulness in Free Flow Jazz & Education

Mzantsi Jazz Collective

Recently I went to Chris’ Jazz Club in Central Philly.  This was after spending two days on a site visit at the Waldorf School of Philadelphia. Waldorf is an alternative stream intersecting the River of Education here in the United States. It is brilliant, engendering so much presence in students even as young as early childhood.  The teachers’ and faculty’s warmth exuded security, safety, imagination along with the love of Nature.

I also saw, believe it or not, a love of learning!  There were lots of hands-on activities; meals with the menu created by the students, wool dyed from natural ingredients:  the color yellow from herbs like chamomile and rosemary, a beautiful pink from avocado seeds, and indigo from indigo plants grown at the school.  This was a marriage of science and art. I also saw an awareness of self, others and the broader environment, including politics and civics, things that affect their world.

Mindfulness is an intrinsic component of Waldorf education, dating back to its founding.  SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) is also a vital component to Waldorf’s contemporary expression. It all moved so freely and organically together like a forest or a fine piece of music.

I wasn’t leaving Philly until the following afternoon, so I had time to unwind.  My hotel had a saltwater pool that was like a healing balm for my very stiff knees having spent two days of navigating a space on the Register of Historic places.  This beautiful stone building which was originally the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is over 150 years old.  So, I wasn’t expecting elevators and such. The challenge was well worth accepting, to have this amazing experience of the very old serving the new lives of our future.

The school’s Mindfulness Director, Taylor, had recommended Chris’ Jazz Cafe. After my saltwater pool soak, I still had time to make a 9pm jazz set without rushing. I called the café and spoke with Vicotria, a lovely hostess, as she told me how to navigate the website to book a ticket.  I was lucky that it was early in the week so having a nice table was a definite possibility.

I booked my seat and got ready.  As I road from Germantown to Central Philly I admired the trip while my driver spoke in hushed Spanish to someone on his cellphone with the background quiet as I heard no music.  I enjoyed playing tourist, marveling at the trees, buildings and as we got closer, the increased number of people moving on the streets. I got to the Jazz Café, thanked Vicotria, who was at the door, for her help and was seated at an excellent table.

I didn’t know the jazz band, The Mzantsi Jazz Collective.  As they began playing, I recognized the strong African rhythm elements of their music.  Their sound was ancient yet contemporary, deep jazz sometimes having hip hop undertones.

At times they combined their 2 saxes and guitar in multi-layered harmonies reminding me of South African Choral music.  In each piece they would go out into Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis land daring to be non-conformist.  Not seeking to be recognized, not wanting to be comfortable with lanes and borders and whatever else it is that we use to box ourselves.  They were free.  Now, the bass and the drum would provide a hint of something to hold on to but if you dared you could just let go and travel with them to the outer reaches of the cosmos aware of the formlessness of space, time and the reduced sense of corporeality.  It felt a bit scary but as I let go and allowed myself to experience this other way of perception I enjoyed it more and more.  They would always find you and bring you back to the original melody or rhythm returning you to Earth having provided a new perspective on the original statement.

As each musician improvised, they moved into that flow state.  Eyes sometimes closed, head maybe tilted back or to the side as if listening to some frequency.  The drummer’s modulating rhythms reminding me of the children on the playground. As the bass man’s fingers danced on his upright bass it brought back to mind, the lively discussions where the students’ thoughts were allowed to freely express the explanations of their creative ideas.  In one class they prepared …. drum roll please, fish waffles!  I didn’t like the taste as much as the amazing idea of what one could do with food.

In both instances there was an expanded sense of self.  Chaos was welcomed and not knowing, was the point.  Instead, there was curiosity and discovery facilitated through Mindfulness. That’s the fertile fields of ideas and solutions.

Jazz, this form of music with roots in slavery and now practiced throughout the world.  Mindfulness’ ancient practices in some ways forgotten, who’s seeds are now sprouting in humanity’s gardens again.  In this new generation, a garden of musicians and mindfulness education. Daring and Courageous these are the Explorers of our time.

During their jazz set I quickly did a rough abstract sketch seeking to capture their energy more so than the accuracy of their features and instruments.  At the end of the set, I impulsively (which I’m prone to be) went up and asked each for their autographs on my sketch.  They thanked me.  They seemed sincere, looking into my eyes, not superficially.  Perhaps like the children they could tell I understood where they traveled.

Charisse Minerva: a Multi-Media Creative as well as Professional Development Advisor & Community Building Advocate for WholeSchoolMindfulness. For more information visit TrueHeart.co and WholeSchoolMindfulness.org.