Dan Jacobs: Writings

WRITING FEEDBACK:

Dan,

I think that is the first time I ever got a birthday present from someone on THEIR birthday. You touched me in a deep place, your words are so appreciated and truthfull.

In all these years that have gone by I have always been grateful for the time I had with you and Denis Solee in Kenny Gorden's band. Amidst the crazyness that was so prevalent back then, you two showed a young man a good example, and I have never forgotten it or failed to acknowledge it to others.
Your thoughts honor me, thank-you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

Dave Colee

Dan,

You are not only a great musician but a wonderful writer as well.
- Fred Gray, journalist, editor

Dan,
First of all, you are a fantastic writer! Hearing that you "pulled no
punches", is even better news!

Lew Leabman, drummer, New York

WRITING FEEDBACK

That is a beautiful essay on, wonderfully written from the heart and soul. I enjoyed it and I envy you for being so positive, I wish I could have the same attitude.

Jack K.

Dan,
Nice essay on technique. This has been a hobby-horse of yours for a long while, and it's a good message to convey.
Cary K.

Dan,
I read your essay entitled, "WHAT SCARES YOU?" I like it a lot.

Coincidentally, I was driving earlier this week and for some reason was remembering an interview on TV with Harrison Ford. He said of the reason for his success,

“I allow my audience an all-access backstage pass to what’s going on in here” (indicating his head).

That stuck with me, and I believe it’s exactly what you’re talking about in your essay. And it proves your thesis, as over the last few decades there has been no actor more popular with both the critics and the public.

Duke Cullinan, writer
http://dccullinan.com

Dan,

As always, you put the topping on the cake and your writings make one's small efforts feel worthwhile. 
I think we all get to some points in life when we are not sure we are conveying the meaning we intend.  Your thoughts of assessment are always highlighted in my mind since I so highly value your thinking.
BFB

The story about being featured at the jazz concert was a wonderful moment, beautifully expressed. It should happen every time!

And you are a fine writer, my friend!

Cheers,
Fred Gray
Petoskey News Review, journalist/reporter

Hi Dan,
Your essay "HOW TO BOIL A FROG,” has long been a point of discussion between my partner and myself. So, when your article arrived, I had to print it out and give him a copy. Nodding his head and smiling as he read it, he enjoyed it immensely. He, by the way, is a professor at Lafayette University here, lecturing on Health science and Kinesiology. We both are, and have been aware of the phenomena described in your article.

The American public being hosed by the very people they have voted into office. The ones who actually produce something of value, are vilified and denigrated, while the non-producers squeal and whine, criticizing the innovators, while insisting that they are not being sufficiently "taken care of" with ever increasing handouts. "entitlements," I think they call it! Ah yes, they believe they are entitled to more of the fruits of the entrepreneur's hard work and risk, without reason or contribution.

Taxation, is the chosen form of extortion, as you so perfectly put it. The heat gets turned up slowly, so that apparently no one notices what's going on! . . . ‘till it's too late!

He was so impressed with your article, he said, " Can you email this to me? I want to send it to every one of my colleagues at the university!”

Anyway, keep up the great work, it does make a difference!

Best, Bryan B.

Awesome writing!
- Rod Jacobs

Dude, your writing is way beyond wise, it's shizzlin'-'n-'nizzlin'!!!!
jm

Dear jm,

Would then the label, "magnum-wise” then be a more appropriate nomen?

Though your sentiments are greatly appreciated, I would hope that my sapient musings are not just the incoherent ramblings of some ancient sage or aged philosopher drawing a rather long beard while strolling through the garden of mystery on a unending search for understanding of the secrets of life - - - rather I would humbly hope that my simple words be viewed merely as an accumulation of understanding of people and situations combined with a quality of unusual discernment and judgment gleaned from careful study, wide experience and learning - - - distinguished bygreat sagacity and wisdom obtained from the discovery of basic truths regarding human interactions and relationships - - - resulting in the power to make such wisdom and experience intelligible and useful to others by the application of conceptual understanding to the general subject of human behavior when facing real-life situations.

Of course, this is just my opinion . . . :-)

Dan J.

WRITING FEEDBACK ON "HOW TO BOIL A FROG" from Harry Goldson, clarinetist, recording artist

Dan:

An excellent treatise. Deserves publication. One thing you didn't mention is the price we are paying for another sort of welfare system, albeit a private one. During the period beginning with the end of World War II, the trade unions became a dominant force politically as well as economically. While I wholeheartedly support the protection of the workers, in many cases the unions became gluttons. In gaining power and placating their members, they misused their position by forcing through strikes and intimidation unrealistic pension and retirement plans for the work and file, setting up counterproductive work rules and using political influence to fuel their greed. And while all the money was flowing in, they filled their own pockets through spurious means. I know first hand how this worked, having financed many leveraged buyouts of "smokestack industry" firms that could no longer compete in the market due to high labor costs. And if one needs more evidence, take a look at the auto industry. Just as disproportionate wage scales and work regulations practically killed the industry back in the '70's, today's burden of huge retirement programs, pensions and health benefits may for all intents and purposes lead the end of our domestic auto industry. - Harry

Hey Dan...There is a side to you I would never have guessed...VERY
impressive writing.

Remember the old radio show where the guy says "Nobody home, I hope, I hope, I hope" he was the worlds worst salesman like ME...

But I can see that you are on the upper level of salesmanship, way over my head......And you play trumpet too, amazing!!! - Willie Lohman (aka Johnny Jazz)

Dan,
This is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe what a great writer you are. I have never read anything any more meaningful than this. I especially liked the way you kept referring back to the boiling of the frog! We certainly must all speak up and do something of some value to make our lives worthwhile. Thanks so much for sharing this. I wanted to wait until I had time to sit down and totally concentrate on this and this afternoon was the time.
Thanks again, Dan. Keep up the fantastic work!!!
Love ya,
Sally Fisher

Hi Dan,
Just wanted to thank you for your writing on "Folks trying to make you fail" (“Antidote for Toxic Connections”). These people are all to prevalent these days it seems. I won't bore you with a life story.
Just wanted to say that I really appreciated you taking the time to write about it. Thank you for the support, guidance and heads up.

You have a great site presenting a great musician and your writings are truthful and written exceptionally. As good if not better than any other journalist I have ever read.

Peace my brother.
All the very best to you,

John
Pro Distro Audio
www.prodistroaudio.com
1875 Van Ness
Reno, NV 89503
(818)987-3393
(586)710-6135 Fax
service@prodistroaudio.com

Dan,

You've always been able to write pieces that are easy to understand. This is a major
asset you have in communicating with people. You not only can say it, but you can write
it too.
Ray

Dan,

I'm sitting here at work, enjoying learning more about you from your website! Your photos page is a real tribute – so many connections to many of my heroes in the Jazz world.

I am taking in your journal page as well. Beautiful insights.

Dan, please keep sharing from your wisdom and from your heart.

Pat

Dan,
I too have struggled with "crazymakers" in my life. You are spot on
with your assessment of the problem and the solutions. All too often, in order to spare someone's feelings, we avoid confronting these situations. At 55, I still have to "practice" this, as it still ain't
easy! But it sure is necessary!

This issue resonates so much with your readers because most of us
“creatives” have problems with toxic folks in their lives. These poor
saps are mostly jealous of our talent, and try to thwart our efforts to create. Anyone who can blow and has ever been in a band knows this scenario all too well...I've even seen it in grade school when teachers punish creative kids for embellishing homework.
Edgar

Dan, I am reminded me of something you wrote that helped saved my career.

The fact that you probably don’t remember the details is testament to the amount of impact you have made to so many people throughout the years, my friend.

Best Regards,
Terry Puterbaugh

Jan 27, 2007 11:08 PM

I know I told you this soooo many times before... but....

YOU ARE SO AMAZING!!!

LISTEN EVERYBODY!
You should check out Dan's website
http://danjacobsmusic.com
and read his JOURNALS! You won't regret it, I guarantee!!!!!!

Dear Dan,
You are so amazing, you are something else... Your words hit my feelings very deeply( in a good way!!!) I love this writing of yours:

"remember even an airplane expends the greatest energy at the beginning of the flight to provide sufficient thrust to get it off the ground"

IT MAKES TOTAL SENSE!
Today I'm gonna tell this advise of yours to myself when I get dark!
You know, one of my real dream since I was 8 or so was to be an flight attendant( did you laugh??? ) I LOVE being at the airport, looking those airplane on the sky! When I tell this to my friends, they look at me funny though! haha~ Anyways, so think about airplane taking off and your advise is PERFECT for me!!!

I love reading your journals and press page. You give me lots of hope and strength. Thank you, Dan and for being so great.

Well... I can't thank you enough.
You've never met me before, we just talked on the phone once, but you respond me like I'm your best friend forever-
Thank you for your unfailing kindness, Dan...
You are my hero.
Love,
Chie

READER FEEDBACK TO MY ESSAY ON: "THE JOY OF LIVING" and LIFE: "A WORK IN PROGRESS"

The last paragraph is also a blueprint for meaningful jazz. - Alan

This was just great Dan and really poignant for me right now! Angela

Can I get an AMEN?! Right on. Thanks for the note Dan. You reminded me to get back into the present moment and LIVE! - Steve

Hey Dan: That's been my philosophy for all my 72 years and it's brought me a most beautiful life and given me the best friends that all the money in the world could never buy.... Thanks for sharing your thoughts and life experiences.
Pat

Dan, I really enjoyed reading your essay on the joy of living. It made me remember a time when I had been partying way to hard and I thought that I was taking my last breathe of air on this planet. I really didn't think that I was going to make it. I was blacking out and I could see the darkness closing in all around my eyes. That was about 9 years ago and ever since then Life has certainly been more rewarding.
I guess one starts to look at everything a little bit differently after an experience that shocks the tar out of one's self. It shouldn't have to take that but as a person sometimes it does for us to take a step back and check things out a bit differently. When I play sometimes people might wonder where what I am playing comes from. I put it in my playing and I really don't have words for it. Everything that is sweet and pretty or something that has attitude or a rough edge is all a creative outlet from what I have experienced. This type of thing only gets better with age I think. That's also why I love listening to other performers around me so that I may be able to catch a little bit of what they have experienced too!
I hope that all is well for you and I look forward to hearing you play sometime again. Take care - Gene

Very nice, Dan. The "stream" for me is that you are what you think. Thanks for sharing. - Mary

Hi Dan,
My wife and I both need to find that joy of living. In this business there is way too much tension. Let's talk sometime when you get back in town.
Best regards - Mike

Hi Dan, thanks for keeping me in the loop on some of your activities. I LOVED the last article, "LIFE: A WORK IN PROGRESS. Could you send it to me again as I need to send it to a friend. Thank you, Ei

ON DAN JACOBS' WRITINGS - by Dr. Paul Brewer

Dan and I have been having an interesting, thought-provoking converstion. I

It's been good to find someone who can translate his ideas into expressive written language. Too many people are without that talent. The "bottom-line" culture we live in has little use for it, that's for sure.

But, the jazz musician needs the experience of exploring ideas - at length - to thrive and to grow. Dan offers the same experience in written language in an effort to expand the scope of the exploration, in my opinion.

As a result of his efforts, his skills in this regard yield metaphorical implications in jazz that emerge linguistically in his writings here. Ultimately, his combined expressive modes (playing music and then writing about it - and other subjects relevant to his musical experiences), inspire further explorations into those, as yet, unexplored creative realms, musical and otherwise.

And I like that!

Dr. Paul Brewer