   I chose to focus on caretakers for the month of November.  I've been working with children at a pediatric cancer facility for several years now in NYC and have witnessed the ups and downs, the strains and the stresses that caregivers often endure.  These people work solely because of how much they love the person for whom they care, often their own children.  It is a profound act of humanity.  The patients are often on a roller coaster ride of health and emotions, and it is the role of the caregiver to provide a consistent comfort and grounding presence amongst this chaos.  So, when I turned to music to express this role of caregiving, I decided to compose several duo and trio pieces which reflected this relationship.  In all of these short songs, one instrument represents the 'rock' of a caregiver:  a constant, strong, hopeful and reassuring presence. The other instruments, which play inconsistently, express the unpredictable nature and emotions of someone with compromised health. 

   Two other ideas informed this music. One was a quote from a NYC caregiver that I found to be greatly insightful: 

                                       "Health is a privilege." 

   This sentiment is something that is so true, but one which is taken for granted most of the time.  At least I know I take it for granted much of the time. The other idea was from a professional caretaker with whom I spoke that talked about being a caring and sympathetic person, but also "indifferent" towards those she helped.  The "indifference" she described was  her way of detaching from the suffering of those she cared for so that she could better serve their needs.  The piece Indifference features this caretaker's voice at the beginning of the track.  

matt davis, guitar, composition, music box
lauren falls, bass
matt scarano, drums
paul jones, tenor saxophone
jay rattman, clarinet
tomoko omura, violin
erika kapin, violin
eric lemmon, viola
eric allen, cello, melodica

recorded by devin greenwood and 
arun pandian @
superfund studio, brooklyn, 11.19.13

© ℗ 2013, matt davis
www.mattdavisguitar.com


Privilege

Transcendence

Part 2 Nardis

From a project I composed and organized in 2005 called "North Of Race", produced by the C.E.C. in Philly.  This is an excerpt from a larger movement called "We Here The Roots" and celebrates the life of Mom Crippen, a North Philly hero. More about her can be found here:
http://articles.philly.com/1999-03-11/news/25510636_1_easter-egg-disabled-children-nursing-home

Matt Davis, guitar
Ted Johnson, vocal
Scott MacDonald, vocal and percussion
Dena Underwood, vocal
Naeema Maddox, vocal
Shannon Pelcher Rao, vocal and spoken word
Anam Owili-Erger, vocal
Pete Guadioso, percussion and vocal
Ned Sonstein, vocal and percussion 

Mom Crippen

From NYC 2013, and the month that I dedicated to religious believers in NYC. Inspired particularly from a church service I attended. Played by Matt Davis, guitar
Leon Boykins, bass
Paul Jones, tambourine
Jay Rattman, clarinet
Eugen Kim, violin

city of grace

Third Prayer

Recorded at Chris' Jazz Cafe in Philly on 11.12.08 with Matt Davis, John Swana on EVI, Justin Faulkner on drums and Luke O'Reilly on Organ. Thanks for listening.

At Chris' Jazz Cafe

Bluesette

From Aerial Photograph's 2019 record "Big Family" available on all streaming sites.

www.mattdavisguitar.com

Nondum

guitarist, composer, teacher, listener - 
www.mattdavisguitar.com

Matt Davis 36

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