Salvaged materials are everywhere for the picking. Sculptures are made from the castaway byproducts of an urban wasteland. Improvisational three dimensional jazz compositions and fantastic free standing structures are executed by junkmen gensis.Mountains of mutated materials meticulously sorted through by imaginative minds. Artist archaeologists and their adaptations welded from the available aging rubble spewed before them. Skilled scavengers transform trash heap treasure into towers and spires of cathedral proportions. All of these creative characters and their crazy creations challenge our esthetic sensibilities and also give us warnings to the dangers of excess and waste.

I've giged the farmer's markets around the bay area for over ten years. The organization that runs these markets hires my one man band to play. The arrangement is for four hours of music I'm paid a fee and the rest I make in tips and CD sales. On any particular weekend day after I have set up my equipment I like to add a final touch of chalk drawing around my area. This last sunday being Mother's day I drew a large picture of the Madonna and infant child. The long arm of the Madonna bordered my entire right side ending with her receiving hand held before my open guitar case. In the chalk hand I placed a few shiny pennies and likewise there's a dollar I always keep taped in the guitar case. I call this "prime the pump". I have found it pays to apply what I call "a gaff "which is to say it's good to have something unique that sparks curiosity in the passerbyer.While I play I make eye contact with as many folks as possible. I search the moving crowd not wanting to miss any interesting detail unfolding in front of me.I've also learned to spot prospective CD buyers before they even inquire I'll stop mid song and present my product. This brings me to speak of the young couple I met and talked with that morning. I surmised they were expecting their first child.The glowing young woman was unmistakably about 8 months pregnant and by the way she carried the yet unborn child I guessed it was girl and I was correct.They reported that when they were passing by my music caused their infant to dance within the womb. The expectant father also boasted of his wife and her accomplished singing voice and she added that when she sings in her higher range the baby responds by kicking her little heals up! I bragged about my eldest daughter who was always exposed to music within and without is now a singer song writer in her own right.I recalled how I played my harmonica right up against my wife's tummy while she was pregnant with our son.This might help explain why our little boy today is a singing wild and crazy dancer. Needless to say the parents to be bought a CD and I'm sure we all felt a little richer by our divine encounter in which we spoke of the miracle of life and how creativity is passed on.

Over the years I've played my one man band in all kinds of venues where there's a raised stage for performing and a seating area designated for the audience. This set up no longer appeals to me as much as playing on the same level in the midst of people in an open air market.The idea of doing a stage show so as to play a song then get some applause over over again is limited and too predictable. It's far more exciting to take a risk and put myself out there vulnerable and accessible. I like the place where the lines of performer/audience are blurry. In most cases people don't come to see me. Some folks maybe appreciative,some indifferent or some may even be confrontive. It's live street theater that resembles "a day in the life of "more than it does entertainment business.I do strive for good musicianship but without taking myself too seriously. Like casting a play I draw people in. I expect interruptions and welcome the challenge of interacting in the middle of a song without breaking stride. Sometimes I'll stop to talk and other times I'll keep playing as a sound track to the spontaneous conversation. My point being when I make myself available and not the center of attention my experience will be rewarding. When I think out of the box of performing the possibilities are endless.Ultimately everyone mentioned might gain a sense of connection,celebration and participation. Music can certainly help facilitate this being in part sum "the art of living".

It's like everything I wanted to do I had to love it first. When I play my "Brother Jake one man band " at my farmers' market gigs I am frequently asked how I can sing,play guitar, drum, cymbals and harmonica simutaneously.My response is..."If I think about it I can't do it."People tell me they've tried to learn harmonica but couldn't get it and ask me how I learned? I answer by asking "Where's your harp?" " Oh, it's at home", is the reply . That's your problem..." Don't leave home without it" After all they don't call it a "pocket pal" for nothing. A person might say about himself " I can't sing worth a hill of beans" I say...who told you that? Who robbed you of the joy of singing? Don't ever tell anyone they can't sing especially yourself ! It's criminal the discouragement that is brought on us. As a result children stop drawing pictures, stop singing and creativity is stifled all because of undue criticism. How wonderfully unpretentious is children's art. And for me it's not how you sing it's how you don't sing that makes a good singer.

It's been said the giraffe is living proof that God has a sense of humor. It's also said there are only three original jokes in the world and all other jokes are variations of these three. Brother,please don't tell me any of them I don't want to hear it. I especially dislike ethnic jokes and black humor that pokes fun at the misfortune of others. I will laugh with you though at our own comedy of errors. I will crack up with you discovering the painful and amusing truths about each other. We are walking talking cartoons you and I. Dear one I want to thank you for causing me to laugh today. I realized I had not laughed the whole day, thanx I needed that.