What a beautiful article, real literature worth publishing in a book. I was born in and partly raised in Brooklyn and lived for many years in Tucson, my wife was born in Sonora, and we have indigenous family in Magdalena del Kino. I resonated with everything you wrote. True culture has healing power and Mexico is an example. And if regenerating authentic culture is ever a real possibility, the jazz ethic will be its foundation. Thank you for this.
Bret - What a beautiful account of the essense of the Mexican culture, and its everyday people. It sounds very much like my experience living there some 45 years ago. I am pleased to see that the essential fabric has remained intact. "Mi casa es su casa" is not just a saying...it is a way of life in Mexico.
Aye, sad to say that the Mexico I grew up in has gotten a bit more tense, but you have to understand that it has always been kind of wild. I will never forget the beaches along the Pacific coast, now pretty much overrun with resorts, and the tacos al pastor washed down with liberal pitchers of Bohemia. If you're interested, there is a well-known jazz group named Sacbé, and someone has been posting their albums on YouTube. I saw them play at a joint called Musicafé in San Angel, many years ago. Goid times!
Exactamente!
I saw a video about Guanajuato and the people were in a huge field smacking bags of gunpowder with long handled hammers. It's nuts!
Never saw or heard about that. But it's possible.
This is beautifully written, Bret. I understand why you live in Mexico. Have you been to the hammer festival yet?
The Hammer Festival? No.
What a beautiful article, real literature worth publishing in a book. I was born in and partly raised in Brooklyn and lived for many years in Tucson, my wife was born in Sonora, and we have indigenous family in Magdalena del Kino. I resonated with everything you wrote. True culture has healing power and Mexico is an example. And if regenerating authentic culture is ever a real possibility, the jazz ethic will be its foundation. Thank you for this.
Appreciate the kind words!
Bret - What a beautiful account of the essense of the Mexican culture, and its everyday people. It sounds very much like my experience living there some 45 years ago. I am pleased to see that the essential fabric has remained intact. "Mi casa es su casa" is not just a saying...it is a way of life in Mexico.
I feel very very lucky to live here, among so many friends and caring people.
I enjoyed reading this and am very happy that you are happy.
Is everybody happy? I hope so.
Aye, sad to say that the Mexico I grew up in has gotten a bit more tense, but you have to understand that it has always been kind of wild. I will never forget the beaches along the Pacific coast, now pretty much overrun with resorts, and the tacos al pastor washed down with liberal pitchers of Bohemia. If you're interested, there is a well-known jazz group named Sacbé, and someone has been posting their albums on YouTube. I saw them play at a joint called Musicafé in San Angel, many years ago. Goid times!
Mexico isn't perfect, that's for sure. But living here, at this time, is really quite wonderful.
Viva Mexico! ~Pedro the Virtuoso
Viva Dubin!