Negativity and selfishness gets great publicity in our social networking, indirect-contact society. You’d be led to believe the world’s running low on good people and that no one cares for or respects one another anymore. Their only concerns are themselves; and when they’re in need, no one is willing to lend them a hand without reward.
This is not the case. Kind, caring, selflessly-generous people still exist. Rodney Whitaker is a shining example.
An Emmy-nominated, internationally renowned bassist, Whitaker is considered one of the greatest jazz musicians alive today. A widely acclaimed recording artist and stellar live performer, the Detroit native has crafted his own exceptional catalog of music while lending Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Dianne Reeves, Vanessa Rubin, Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Jazz Orchestra, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
Residing in East Lansing, Michigan, Whitaker is the Professor of Jazz Bass and Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, one of the leading jazz degree programs in the world.
While good at what he does, he’s also a good person and one who believes in helping others.
I asked Rodney Whitaker to tell me about a time when he did something nice for someone that he didn’t know. Here’s what he shared.
“I think of myself as being here to serve other people.
I met a guy while was in Germany playing a bass solo, and I quoted a spiritual in it. The guy came up to me and said, ‘I came here to hear you play because I read somewhere that you believed in God. And before I came to this show … I thought about killing myself.’
I sat up with this guy for 2 days talking to him. I felt like it was my duty to do that. He was put in my space, so I felt like it was my duty to help him. That was more than 25 years ago and we’re still friends.
But every day I try to help the youth go to college. I try to impower other people with their thoughts and ideas. I think the biggest thing that I’ve been working on is not having to be right all the time, and considering someone else’s idea and impowering them in that way.
I was I the studio and I had to put together a recording, and everybody was leaders. I would defer to them. I’d ask, ‘What do you think I should do?’ They would be in shock, but I’m trying to learn how to give up self and serve the world, serve humanity, and do what I need to do to help other people.
I saw a film on John Coltrane, Chasing Trane, that was kind of an epiphany for my life. Now I want to be on a spiritual path. The only way you can do that is you have to serve others. You’ve got to make that a daily thing.
Sometimes it’s having to not be right, sometimes it’s letting somebody be right. Just that simple thing is a big thing! OR not wanting to talk all the time. I like talking. I like being in the center of attention.
Sometimes it’s nice to let other people be in the center of attention.” |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
Our Shining Example column features a remarkable person sharing an inspiring personal story about an act of kindness.
“We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving.” – ‘We Are the World’
