A little more than two years ago, my dear friend and longtime music partner, Paul Jean, died very suddenly and prematurely. Paul played piano with Paige Parvin and me for six years as the trio Local Honey. We did a number of my original songs and an eclectic variety of cover tunes that we just enjoyed playing and singing. Here is a tribute I wrote in memory of Paul just after his death in April 2008.
What I didn’t know until after he was gone was that Paul’s body had suffered the ravages of Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative illness that attacks the central nervous system, affecting motor skills, the voice and speech, and other countless physical and mental functions. It’s a devastating disorder, and Paul’s life was utterly transformed by it in ways that I witnessed but did not understand. He was a very private person, and only a select few knew of his illness before he died.
A few months after Paul’s passing, I met someone whom I was sure was sent to me from God, or maybe even Paul himself. It was during our first conversation that Bruce Gilbert said to me, “I just moved here. I’m a piano player, and I have Parkinson’s disease.”
What? Wow.
Bruce invited me to back him up on a couple of his original songs at an open mic at Eddie’s Attic. His writing, I quickly discovered, is magical, and his playing is tasteful, soulful, skillful. I was happy to do it. From our first performance together, Bruce and his wife Lex have become an integral part of our beloved community of music makers here. They regularly host our Sunday night songwriters’ gathering in their home, and Bruce has played gigs with all of us, all over town. He plays on our recordings (just wait til you hear what he does on mine!). He helps us with our recording projects and technology in his own studio. He and Lex come out for our gigs even when he isn’t playing. Even when he isn’t feeling so hot.
Bruce and Lex have for many years been active and passionate supporters of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research. This fall, they are hosting a series of monthly house concerts in their beautiful Lake Claire neighborhood home to benefit Team Fox, the organization that funds the activities of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research. Admission to the event is free, and it is their hope that folks will contribute whatever amount is comfortable for them.
The performers will be Bruce with two members of our little songwriting community (see below for the full roster) per evening. I will be playing with him and Ashley Filip on Saturday, November 6. And I’ll be playing for Bruce and in memory of Paul.
If you’ve never attended a house concert, you’re in for a treat — it’s cozy and intimate and, maybe because of that, the performances, without fail, are typically inspired.
There is seating for 40 guests per night. If you would like to come, we are asking that you sign up as soon as possible for the evening of your choice (the seats are going quickly, and it’s first come-first served). If you have friends or family that you would like to bring, just make sure you sign them up also.
The doors will open at 7:30 and the music will be performed from 8:00 until 10:00.
Dates and entertainers are as follows:
August 7, Rick Diamond • Tony Bolin • Bruce Gilbert
September 4, Louis Robinson • Jeff Silver • Bruce Gilbert
October 2, Steve Cullen • Paul Pendrey • Bruce Gilbert
November 6, Allison Adams • Ashley Filip • Bruce Gilbert
Please RSVP as soon as you can to bgilbertmusic@gmail.com or telephone at 404-474-0869.
To date, the MJF Foundation has funded over $196 million dollars for Parkinson’s research. The Foundation has received a four-star rating (the highest given) from Charity Navigator; 87 percent of money raised goes to research programs, with only 2.6 percent used for total administrative expenses. This kind of record assures me that my donation will be used wisely.
If you cannot attend, but would like to donate, please go here.
Folk-Jazz Fusion at Rotagilla Creole Café
Our good friend Tom Godfrey, jazz guitarist extraordinaire, has a standing gig at Rotagilla’s every Wednesday night, and he’s made it a fun practice to invite folks to come sit in with him. He was brave enough to invite two card-carrying folk/acoustic/singer-songwritery-type gals, Cyndi and me, for tonight. We have a few tunes we know we’ll all play together (I have a few standards in my back pocket that I pull out from time to time), and I’m bringing the concertina and mandolin.
