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Humans can learn and change, that is a fact, but what is the pace of our learning process? Do we change every hour? Daily? Weekly? Is the version of you today necessarily smarter than the version from 24 hours ago or a year ago? Is yester-me better or worse than today-me?

Exactly five years ago I started a blog, without knowing for what purpose. Well, I knew the golden age of blogs had passed, and that video (though not yet those produced by AI) already attracted all the attention. But then, what did I want, after all? The title of the first post answered: “Clueless“.

As much as it may sound a cliché, all I wanted was to express myself. In a world that was beginning to reorganize itself after the Covid-19 pandemic, there was not much happening in the field of live shows and I was hungry for the written word, having just finished a forty-eisodes interview podcast, made during quarantine.

The blog seemed to me a possible way to take the first steps towards trying to understand what was happening, and to situate myself in the world that was then called a “new normal,” which now, looking back, seems extremely similar to the old normal, if you think about it.

As is usually the case with my projects, I always look for a name first and, starting from the title, i develop the idea. I remembered the episode “Fraudcast News,” the twenty-second episode of the 15th season of the TV series The Simpsons, of which I am a big fan. The plot shows character Lisa Simpson creates an independent newspaper called “The Red Dress Press”. I love that name!

From Lisa´s signature little red dress to my signature red flower in the hair, so characteristic of jazz singers, it worked in so mny levels.That’s it!, I thought and The Red Flower Press was created.

Throughout these years, I believe the blog has served exactly what that version of me longed for, acting as a sanctuary for my thoughts and emotions. The texts on a wide variety of subjects, from the perspective of an independent singer-songwriter, have not only provided good moments for reflection but also allowed me to connect with my audience on a deeper level, and I am very grateful to the Red Flower for that, too. But… (yes, there is a “but”)

Those who have been kind enough to follow me over the years have noticed that I have been quite erratic with my posts in the last year. The reasons are all great, for example, my current production of short videos about Jazz stories and fun facts, in addition to musical projects, but the fact is that my Red Flower has become quite inconsistent.

And my Red Flower does not deserve to be treated like this. Our journey was too beautiful to end in ghosting, and that is why I would like to thank you, Red Flower.

To each and everyone who stood by my side: thank you! Thank you all so much for every like, every share, every comment. From the bottom of my heart: thank you thank you, thank you, thank you.

But… (yes, there is another ‘but”) does this mean goodbye forever?

Well, who knows, right? All I can say is that this five-year pahse ends here. I have learned to trust my choices. So, once again inspired by Lisa, this time in her words to Nelson at the end of “Lisa’s Date with Density,” the seventh episode of season 8, I prefer to seeit as a “Smell you later, Red Flower.”

What a ride, I say. What a ride!

Be seeing you!

G.F.

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The Style Council was one of my favorite groups back on my teen years. Some of its songs still fit me really well on my mid years. I wold even dare to say only now I really get the point.

There were some verses I particularly liked to repeat (eyes shut to enjoy the moment):

I am only sad in a natural way

and I enjoy, sometimes, feeling this way…

Sad in a natural way in a great pitch, but what does it mean? It is funny, but so many years after listening it, I finally felt them. The melancholic joy of a natural sadness is something hard to explain, but I knew I was experiencing it when I finally hit the “send” button.

I was a hard to finish task, suggested by a mentorship on business management for musicians I am taking, and it consisted of making a playlist of my unpublished songs, the ones which are on phase 0, roughly more than a draft, just my voice and nothing else.

What a difficult thing it was to open dusty archives and come across old recordings! It was like leafing through a photo album of older versions of myself, and I had no idea how outdated I was about myself. So many surprises! And I mean surprise on every level of the word.

Some songs were far more developed than I remembered. Others were mere fragments that worked better once connected. I had much better finished material than I remembered, and truly enjoyed what I found out when I looked closely at it. But if I was so pleased, why did I feel “sad in a natural way”?

Because in those songs of my past self were also my past stories, pains and joys. The odes to the objects of my passions, the memories of the moments lived.

If I could, how much advice would I not have given to my past self! Would I have lost the idea of many songs? Sure, but it would also have saved me many nights of sleep and many tears, as well.Would it have been worth it?

How many of those experiences could I have done without and still be the person I am today?But would it really have been better? Would I be a better me, so to speak? In other words, would I have been able to create what I create today if I hadn’t had these experiences?

I highly doubt it. Not that my current persona is the pinnacle of human development, far from it, but it is indisputably the result of the experiences I have had so far. For better or for worse.

If being stuck in the past sounds like being a prisoner of a specific period of your life, pretending the past never existed sounds like a detachment from reality. Of course, looking back on the past is never the same. As we move forward in our lives, the conflicts we have overcome tend to seem silly and we ask ourselves: “How could I have suffered so much over something so unimportant?”

But instead of invalidating my past selves, I think it is much more productive to keep the precious lessons they have to teach me, and use them whenever a new challenge presents itself: After all, yesterday’s difficulty also seemed insurmountable at some point, and yet here we are.

Have I overcome all the difficulties I encountered along the way? Of course not! Some I have overcome, others I have simply bypassed, and there is always the risk that I will still have to overcome them at the next turn. It is all part of the game.

It might sound sad, but only in a natural way.

Be seeing you!

G.F.

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You may cry for no reason at all. Or for all sorts of reasons.

Searching through your memories, you may remember a song you haven’t heard in years and feel a warm feeling in your heart when you hear it again.

You mayl remember what was happening in your life back then come to the conclusion that you are much better now, but that something was definitely lost along the way.

What is it?

You may then finally understand that you will have to go on without that answer.

You may feel as though the day is passing smoothly as the diffuse afternoon light enters the room. Perhaps the silence sounds, at first, like a buzzing in your suddenly peaceful mind, but you will get used to it, even when the dog next door starts barking again.

Maybe you will find te time to make a list of the things you have accomplished this year and are surprised at how long it is.

Maybe you will feel a sudden urge to cook something exotic and very spicy while listening to Ella and Louis and then you feel like dancing around the house and even get scared when you remember that just a few hours ago you were crying for no reason at all.

Or for all the good reasons.

Be seeing you!

G.F.

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At the end of last month I went into the studio twice to record. I have already talked about the experience of the first day here, and at the end of this text you will find the video of the second day of recording. The track is a samba and is called “Todo Domingo É Assim” (Every Sunday It Is The Same). The next step is to mix and master the material while planning the release strategy.

Recording work, like rehearsals, involves a lot of repetition and preparation, and the final product is a future prospect. The way I see it, the opposite of this situation, the moment in which you deliver the product is the moment of the live performance. And talking abou live performances, last week I had a delightful experience at a concert by the great master of the harmonica Mauricio Einhorn.

In a very inspired evening, four musicians had great fun on a small stage and entertained us even more with impeccable performances and fantastic improvisations. The fact that the band leader was about to turn 93, in top form, made the night even more memorable.

And how beautiful it is to see the affection of the audience for the musicians! But of all these exciting aspects, nothing compares to watching the musicians perform on stage. If there is a face for a blessing, for a state of ecstasy and transcendence, it is the ones of performing artists doing their thing: dancers dancing, painters during the act of painting, writers during the act of writing and so on.

When it comes to musicians performing, each performer will have their own way of experiencing the bliss: some will close their eyes, immersing themselves completely in the music, allowing the melodies to wash over them like a warm wave, while others will contort their faces in a vivid reflection of the emotions stirred within.

There are also those who seem so intensely focused, as if the only thing present at that moment were the instrument itself, and in this trance-like state, they create a connection that transcends the physical realm. Others may even mark the time with subtle movements, tapping their feet or nodding their heads, creating a rhythmic pulse that echoes through the space, and for me, it is a spectacle in itself to watch them, as each performance tells its own story, enveloping the audience in a shared dreamlike aura, which not even the forty-degree Celsius heat outside and the wobbly air conditioning can disturb.

Perhaps this is (another) good definition for art: it is what makes you greater than the adversities of life, a powerful force that transforms our struggles into something beautiful and meaningful.

When facing challenges, art acts as a refuge, allowing us to express our emotions and thoughts, fostering resilience. It is a powerful tool to turn pain into creativity and sorrow into hope, ultimately making it possible to rise above circumstances and connect with something bigger than us.

It is a beacon of light, illuminating our potential for growth and renewal.

Be seeing you!

G.F.

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Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a significant meeting focused on the execution of a project of mine fora a musical performance, which has been approved through a public selection process. As is often the case, meetings of this nature are not typically filled with excitement. Despite the usual lack of excitement, there was a palpable sense of purpose and determination in the room, as everyone was committed to driving their projects forward and achieving tangible results.

The key to nailing any project is top-notch project management and crystal-clear communication. Making sure everyone is on the same page and totally clued in on the goals of the project is absolutely crucial. And when it comes to dealing with public funds, I cannot stress enough how important it is to be extra careful, double-checking every responsibility and sticking to the rules like glue. After all, it is our money, right?

This whole extra attention can really make us feel like we gotta be on our best behavior, you know? It is all about making sure we handle things the right way and own up to our actions, especially when we are working on projects funded by the public. I am totally onboard with that, but it would be so nice to have some help with all the other stuff! It is tough to stay focused on the music when you’ve got to juggle being your own manager, assistant, and accountant, too.

Sometimes, it is hard not to feel the levels of motivation vary, but in such moments (during boring meetings, for example) I reflect on the journey leading up to this point. I remind myself of the challenges involved in the selection process of public-funded projects, the extensive work required to create and articulate the project proposal, and the substantial weight of responsibility that comes with it.

Ok, I understand that all this theorizing is not always enough to eliminate the boredom of a meeting about the administrative and legal details of executing an artistic project. Fear not, for I haveanother, infallible exercise. I create what I call a “quiet moment’, that is, a moment of reflection in some silent place in my mind, where there is only room for one question: why am I here?

The journey of overcoming challenges is deeply rooted in my passion to create meaningful content that resonates with my audience. Each obstacle surmounted becomes a milestone, shaping me into a more capable and empathetic creator. Moving forward, my focus remains steadfast on crafting compelling and engaging content that not only entertains but also fosters genuine connections.

Every step is a testament to the dedication and perseverance it takes to navigate through the intricate web of artistic production. It takes rime to learn about project development and management, but I feel that it gets a bit easier everytime, which means I am learning the ropes.

Each obstacle overcome represents a triumph, a step forward in the pursuit of creating something impactful and meaningful to the audience, a true wish for becoming a better performer. Every challenge I overcome shows how determined and resilient I am to make a real impact. It is all about making progress and moving forward in my mission to create content that truly connects with my audience.

Quiet moments (even if they happen in a crowdy room) of inner contemplation and self-reflection the source where I find the strength to carry on. As I sit in these meetings, surrounded by paperwork and discussions, I am reminded of the bigger picture, the greater purpose behind the meticulous planning and effort, and it ignites a renewed sense of determination to see it through to fruition.

Boring meetings do not seem so bad when I think about all the challenges faced and overcome in order to get here. Actually, these tedious moments are actually the type of problems I always want to deal with.

Be seeing you!

G.F.