Is James Baldwin a genius?
Can Superman fly? Do dogs bark? Does Sting want his MTV?
James Baldwin is obviously a genius with more talent in a single stroke of his pen than I could hope to have in multiple lifetimes.
I was recently reading his collection of short stories, “Going to Meet The Man” and was really taken by a few lines in the story, “Sonny’s Blues”.
In the story, the narrator is going to see his heroin-addicted brother play live jazz in a club downtown for the first time. He’s finally seeing his brother’s passion played out live, and remarking on the experience.
He writes,
"For, while the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it aways must be heard. There isn’t any other tale to tell, it’s the only light we’ve got in all this darkness.
And this tale, according to that face, that body, those strong hands on those strings, has another aspect in every country, and a new depth in every generation."
In the short time I’ve been writing these I’ve often felt that it was pointless. That there is nothing I could possibly have to say about music that is at all unique, new, or worthwhile. And honestly that may be entirely true.
But either way I suppose it’s my tale to tell. And all of ours to tell in whichever way we see fit. And maybe that’s good enough.
In “Sonny’s Blues” the narrator’s brother, Sonny, is enthralled by the music of Charlie Parker, the legendary bebop jazz musician who battled with addiction while carving his way into the history books of music.
I was introduced to Parker’s playing and tragic story a few years ago from my friend Jordan, and have grown to really love the music.
I’ll leave it with a song I enjoy by him (and Dizzy Gillespie), and the suggestion to tell your tale, however and whatever it may be.
When in doubt just remember, it can’t be more redundant than me writing about two of the most lauded artists of the 20th Century in 2023.
Thanks for listening,
Will