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What is your favourite superhero power? Which one would you like to have yourself? Are you sure you could live with it? Let me tell you something: Despite being exciting and awe-inspiring in fiction, superpowers might be incredibly challenging to manage in everyday life. And I really should know, because I have a superpower myself, true story.

Oh, I never told you about it? Well, I do. I have super senses. Well, at least some. Definitely the hearing. So, when the doctor asked for an audiometry to try to find the reason for my increasingly frequent sinusitis, I thought: “Okay, but I am sure it will not help us in this case”.

Obediently, I strolled in for my audiometry test. And guess what? The verdict: even better than last time! The doc was all impressed, but before you accuse me of bragging, let me assure you, having super hearing does not make my life easier and neither make me immune to pesky sinusitis attacks! Oh, the little ironies of life!

Having heightened hearing abilities can be both a blessing and a curse. In fact, they may introduce their own set of unique struggles: while it is fascinating to pick up on even the faintest of sounds, it also means being constantly bombarded with the cacophony of everyday life. The hum of electricity, the rustle of leaves, the distant chatter of people – they all merge into an overwhelming symphony that never seems to fade.

Ah, the delightful paradox of possessing extraordinary abilities while being surrounded by ordinary adversities! In my case, the greatest obstacle happens to be my cacophonous, off-key neighbors. I cannot help but ponder whether this is an unavoidable prerequisite for renting a space in this building. I mean, what are the chances of every single neighbor lacking the ability to hit a single note? It is a true symphony of disharmony indeed!

I am quite aware of the fact that musicians, bless their hearts, seem to have developed a bit of a reputation for being rather stubborn when it comes to the playlists of other people. They can be quite particular about what they consider “good music,” and they have a knack for unearthing tracks from the deepest, darkest corners of the musical world. I wonder if this is why I feel so personally affected the bad musical taste of my neighbors and their irritating inability to sing.

Or, perhaps, the reason comes from something else, immensely more harmful to our life in community than being out of tune: our increasing incapacicity to truly listen the inability to listen, whether to others or to oneself. In many instances, the inability to tune in and listen attentively stems from a place much more detrimental to our collective existence than the mere music taste related discordance.

The inability to truly listen, whether directed towards others or ourselves, can initiate a cascade of miscommunication, hindering the cultivation of empathy, genuine understanding, and meaningful connections. This inability to listen attentively often goes unnoticed, yet its effects can be profound. In a world where everyone is eager to speak and be heard, the lost art of genuine listening has become increasingly rare.

When we fail to truly listen, we miss out on the nuances of communication, which are often more important than the words themselves. We miss the opportunity to truly understand the perspectives, emotions, and the experiences of others, usually paving the way for conflict, creating barriers between individuals and within communities.

On the other hand, the act of authentic listening can foster empathy, trust, and a deep sense of connection. It allows us to grasp the underlying emotions and intentions behind the words, leading to meaningful and fulfilling interactions. In an age where technology has made communication faster and more convenient, the value of genuine, attentive listening cannot be overstated.

In cultivating the skill of listening, we not only enhance our personal relationships but also contribute to the well-being of the larger community. Meaningful connections and a sense of belonging are crucial for the emotional and psychological health of individuals and communities alike.

It is crucial to recognize that the art of listening extends beyond the physical act of hearing; it encompasses the willingness to understand, empathize, and absorb the perspectives and experiences of those around us. When we neglect this vital skill, we risk perpetuating a cycle of discord, misinterpretation, and division. Therefore, nurturing the capacity to listen intently and empathetically is pivotal in fostering a more inlcusive, understanding society.

By making a conscious effort to listen with genuine interest and empathy, we can build bridges and earn the confidence, whether that of your neighbors or your audience. Moreover, developing the skill of active listening with true sincerity and understanding lays the foundation for meaningful connections and trust, where mutual respect and openness can thrive.

The ability to truly pay attention to what others say is a skill that can greatly enrich personal relationships. It demonstrates respect, empathy, and a willingness to understand and connect with others on a deeper level. This quality is not only important in personal relationships, though. It also plays a crucial role in the relationship between an artist and their audience.

For an artist, being able to connect with their audience is a sine qua non quality, an essential element that can make or break their success. When an artist is able to engage with their audience in a way that resonates with both parties, it creates a powerful and meaningful connection that elevates the performance and the experience of the audience.

The act of truly listening – to your inner voice, to the stories and emotions that surround you, to the experiences of others – can profoundly enrich your creative expression and it is a powerful tool for every artist. Deep listening allows you to absorb the nuances and complexities of the world, infusing your art with authenticity and depth.

Genuinely responding to your artistic endeavors means staying true to your vision and expressing it in a way that resonates with your audience. it can be a transformative factor in both your personal relationships and your artistic journey.

Be seeing you!

G.F.

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Francisco de Morais Alves, better known as Francisco Alves, Chico Alves or Chico Viola (Rio de Janeiro, August 19, 1898 — Pindamonhangaba, September 27, 1952) is considered one of the greatest, most popular and versatile Brazilian singers. Nicknamed “King of the Voice” by radio host César Ladeira, Alves is a decisive figure in the construction of several popular genres of Brazilian music in the first half of the 20th century.

In addition to his vocal competence and appeal to the public, Francisco Alves also had a reputation for having a good eye for discovering songs that would be new hits. In this sense, he was considered infallible by his colleagues. However, the “infallible” man made a mistake, at least once, when choosing his repertoire and, ironically, he failed to choose for himself a theme that is usually present in lists of the most beautiful sambas of all time.

“Agora É Cinza” (“Only Ashes Now’, in a free translation), was first offered by the composer duo Bide and Marçal to the singer Mário Reis, along with another composition by the duo, the samba “Vivo Sonhando”. Mário wanted to do a kindness to his colleague, of whom he was a deep admirer. Well, the “infallible” Francisco Alves chose “Vivo Sonhando” and Mário Reis recorded the remaining song, “Agora é Cinza”, with an arrangement by the great master Pixinguinha, which became a classic, while Alves’ recording did not achieve much success and is rarely remembered by his fans.

It is quite intriguing to delve into the decisions and circumstances that can lead even a celebrated figure like Francisco Alves to miss out on what later became an iconic samba. The complex interplay of personal relationships, artistic choices, and timing in the world of music often yields unexpected outcomes.

This anecdote serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of the music industry and the countless variables that can shape the fate of a particular recording. It highlights how even the most skilled and discerning individuals may encounter moments where their judgment falters.

The tale also underscores the intricate interplay of talent, timing, and luck in the world of music, where success and obscurity can hinge on a myriad of factors. The inherent unpredictability and complexity of the music landscape, may turn even the most promising endeavors into unexpected hurdles, while seemingly overlooked creations may rise to acclaim.

Feelings of frustration and disappointment when things do not go as planned are common to all of us. It is especially tough when we invest a lot of time and effort into something and do not see the desired results. It can feel like a wasted opportunity, and we fear that the dreams and ideas that we had may not come to fruition.

It is also easy to fall into the trap of believing that we are the only ones making mistakes, that “others” are always successful. However, it is important to remind ourselves that even the most skilled individuals experience setbacks. This perspective can provide a sense of solace and motivation to keep going, knowing that it’s all part of the journey to success.

It is natural for us to face obstacles and make mistakes along the way. Just like even the most proficient archers miss the target, from time to time.

Be seeing you!

G. F.

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Summary

The journey of the research on the softening of borders between comics and jazz is explored, starting with considerations and anecdotes from the past. Billie Holiday’s connection to comic books, the transformation of jazz and comics into accredited forms of art, and the evolving relationship between jazz and comics are key points of exploration in the research. The impact of recognition on these art forms and the representations of jazz in comics are also critical topics for discussion.

In 2017, I presented a paper at a communication conference in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, entitled On Comics and Jazz and, since then, I have been dedicating myself to the subject from both an academic and artistic point of view. In fact, one of the issues raised concerns precisely the softening of borders.

I would like to share with you the journey of this research, starting with some considerations that served as starting points. Enjoy!

In the Spring of 1948, the promoter Ernie Anderson met legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday in midtown Manhattan. They discussed details of her much waited come-back to show-business in the Carnegie Hall stage the following night. After leaving the Federal Reformatory for Women at Alderston, Virginia, where she served 10 months for ‘receiving and concealing a narcotic drug’, Billie depended on that act to re-establish her career.

As Anderson prepared to leave, ‘Lady Day’ asked him for some comic books. In that crucial evening, comic books made company to the great artist.

Forty-five years later Billie herself would become a much praised graphic novel by the hands of Argentinean authors José Muñoz and Carlos Sampayo (1993) and much before, in 1927, the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian had published “Jazz and the Neo-Plasticism”, claiming that jazz and the new movement he helped to put up were nothing less than expressions of a new life and considered them revolutionary movements capable of dealing with the new time and space impositions of the metropolis.

In 2015 jazz performer Kamasi Washington released his debut album called The Epic, a three hour piece, comparable to an opera and deliberately inspired in comic art both musically and also in the art of the album. Washington revealed he was actually working on a graphic novel and album final structure was directly influenced by it.

Both considered during long time marginal forms of expression, comics and jazz proudly arrived in the twenty first century as accredited forms of art and a regular subject for thesis and dissertations. But does this recognition also have a price? Did it implicate in some sort of compromising?

How (far) did it change jazz and comics features? Since the links between both jazz and comics continue to develop, how are these two languages interacting, that is, what are the representations in comics about jazz?

These are some of the questions we will develop throughout this topic.

Be seeing you!

G. F.  

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Forget the stress of the end of the year, the hardest week of all is actually the first week of January. Why?, you ask yourself in surprise. Think about all the resolutions you have made in the last weeks, in the last days, until the vry last hours of the previous year. Do you realize your responsibility?

Yes, I know that many of them were linked to long-term action plans and naturally could not all be fulfilled in a single week, but the first week of the year will be decisive whether at least half of those long-term plans will ultimately be implemented or forgotten by, let us say, middle April. Do you realize the importance of the decisions you make in this decisive week? Well, now you do.

So, while writing this lines to you, I am also pretty much awaere and therefore worried about what I am saying to myself. How to convince me that all that hard work making lists, resolutions and sending wishes to the universe would not be in vain?

So sorry to alert you to another problem in your life that you were not even aware of until now. However, fear not, because I also have the solution! Actually, it came in the form of a message printed on a t-shirt and it said: Dream. Plan. Do.

The perfect protocol to make our year-end resolutions come true. Pure genious! Just three words, but look at their synthesis capacity:


1.Dream: The first step of the journey, where the magic happens. There are no limits here. What projects touch your soul? This is where they can rise and shine!

2.Plan: At this point, you might think: “Now is when the fun is gone, the hard work comes in and the resolutions fly out the window”, but I would rather say that now is the time when we take off the glitter of our dreams and put sneakers on them. The path can be long and exhausting, but it can also be a form of training, a reconnaissance of the terrain, a rite of passage, if you will. It is in the planning stage that many of our dreams come up against mundane limits, such as financing and accountability. Fragile dreams tend to succumb. Make sure your dreams are strong and mature enough to continue the journey.

3.Do: Show time! Bye-bye, sneakers and hello high heels! It is time to perform, taking the risks that any initiative implies. It is scary, it is stressful, there are butterflies in your stomach, but you know you are doing what you have to do, because you are doing your thing. Regardless of the results, you were true to the promises you made to yourself. You won, honey!

What happens next? Probably by that time you will be involved in new resolutions, and the game starts all over again. That is okay. It means you are not only living, you are also evolving.

Be seeing you!

G.F.

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And there they are once again, folks. We always knew the moment would come but, somehow, we expected it to be different this time. Somehow. Well, we were wrong and here they are: the end-of-year retrospectives. Yay!… or, is it?

I must confess those recaps make me usually a bit sad because, it does not matter how much I have reached, I always had bigger plans on my mind when the year started. So, recaps work for me as an (unasked) update on the items in the list of resolutions we all make at the beginning of the year. How many promises were fulfilled? How much progress in our lives?

Not that I have problems with reassessments, not at all! If you read me frequently, and I bet you do, you know that a good part of our meetings are dedicated to promoting strategies on how to deal with changes in the itinerary, unforeseen events and the like. My motto is: Life is like jazz: you have to know how to improvise!

So what is the problem with recaps? Sincerely, I do not know how to explain it, but there is an melancholy air in such compilations of “the best moments of the year”, that makes me blue. Besides, they tend to vary between condescending (“we are all victorious”), and hysterically euphoric (“people are sharing your music in X different countries!”).

I frankly like observing the numbers, the statistics, and finding out the number of playlists in which I was included always puts a smile on my face. In short: I enjoy having access to the amazing amount of data that retrospectives contain, but I do not like the idea of making a spectacle out of it.

Actualy, the end of the year awakens feelings of contemplation in me. Maybe because it is my birthday month, for me retrospectives fall into the big package of “rethink your new cycle”, and to reflect I need introspection, which does not always fit with the current social policy of constant content share.

At least in my astral hell I would like to have a little time to digest the results of a whole year of hard work. I want to celebrate my achievements and think about what can be done, so as not to make the same mistakes. I want to return to my metrics without fear, aware of the place I occupy, without comparisons or competitions.

Would it be too much to ask?

Be seeing you!

G.F.