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And All That Jazz

• August 31st, 2006

At a very young age I was exposed to jazz. Old school jazz, Chet Baker, Paul Desmond, Jaco Pastorias, Stanley Clarke and Wes Montgomery. I adored it, but not at first. It was hard for me to appreciate this art form, difficult to follow and understand. I recall thinking this is just a bunch of noise that is not connected, sounds without rhythm. During this early period of learning I lived with a jazz musician and it was he who taught me how to not only hear the music but to really listen to it as well. What a wonderful gift, the jazz and the listening part.

I’ve been thinking lately that this is the most important skill we must teach people who support folks with disabilities, how to listen, I mean really listen. When we get this right appreciation and understanding are the results and if you really think about that… well what more is there?