An Open Letter to the COjam Community
The idea is simple: Rise above the hate and fear by not becoming bitter, by educating ourselves.
By Trevor C. Jones
January 11, 2016
I can’t think of another more positive, forward thinking group of people than those in
the Colorado music scene. I count myself among many, many musicians who feel
privileged to be here. We know that life on the road out East or across the Mid-West is a tougher beast, with gigs often separated by many miles.
By contrast, Colorado provides a string of Front Range venues and a wealth of mountain town gigs, all located in one state that is growing by leaps and bounds. Fans (I prefer the term listeners) are amazing and dedicated. I also consider myself lucky to have watched the scene grow for the last 10 years. Jam music was not always played in the larger theaters and venues in Colorado; now improvisational music can be consumed any night of the week.
We have it good, and should be very thankful for it. But I’d like to suggest another way
of thinking about our musical jam mecca. It is a thought that several organizations have touched on over the years, but a thought that can only be brought to fruition by people, like you and me.
The idea is simple: To rise above the hate and fear by not becoming bitter, by educating ourselves.
Unfortunately, the haters are coming. Some political candidates fan the flames. They will seek to capitalize on the small divisions in our society, while ignoring the unity and joy that happens at our concerts and in our music. Even worse, there are large groups of people out there who are very vocal about promoting these divisions.
We have positivity and love on our side. But pairing those notions with knowledge; that is true power. Many politicians say overwhelmingly stupid things that drive fear and divide us. Overcoming that fear and those divisions will require specific references to what can be done to help the environment or make society more inclusive. We can use the music as the frame, and paint the picture with well articulated ideas. Staying up on the facts can be challenging, but if we educate ourselves about the issues of the day, we can project a powerful voice. I’d suggest finding a reliable news source (not Fox or CNN) and like I suggested above, keeping things in perspective and rising above the hate.
There are few communities of more positive, forward thinking people I have come across, anywhere in the world than our brothers and sisters in the Colorado jam scene. But to see the change we desire, we must become the process that changes the status quo. So get involved, donate your time to a cause you believe in, and fear nothing that would otherwise halt that progress... and don't let anything hold you back.
Let’s stay educated and stay positive. Our world depends on it.