We have all experienced the life-altering affects of the pandemic. In THIS INTERVIEW you’ll learn its toll on jazz artist Senri Oe.
Following the release of his album Letter to N.Y., the star pianist took time to answer our “2000 BC Q&A”, reflecting on his life before COVID-19 and how things have changed personally and professionally since.
Tell us what you miss most from life before COVID-19.
It’s difficult to choose just one thing that I miss most before the pandemic – going to the theater, concerts, jazz clubs, restaurants, bars and traveling without a face mask, but I’m resilient — for the most part, those are all manageable for me.
What I miss the most, however, are the lack of the little moments – touching, hugging, shaking hands with friends.
Where were you when you learned about COVID-19 and how did you respond?
I first heard about COVID-19 in January 2020, but I didn’t take it seriously. In February, I was on tour in Japan, but it was cancelled abruptly because of COVID-19. I had to return back to New York and stay at home.
Twenty-four hours at home seemed to be forever for me. Sometimes I drank a bottle of wine a day, sometimes I lazily slept all day with my dog Peace…and then…little by little, I tried to restore my daily routine, and started to make brand new jazz postings on social media. I also learned how to edit short videos that I took with my iPhone, and began an Instagram Live performance series on my “Hmmm Channel.”
Then I hit upon a great idea to cook something with whatever food I have in the fridge. It was very simple, but it worked! That was a new concept for me, and it inspired me during the process of recording my new album, Letter to N.Y. — making something nice with just what I have.
What, for you, have been the personal and professional benefits, and setbacks, from the pandemic?
My most personal benefit would be that I’ve come to the realization to value family and friends more and more. This pandemic has helped us to see what’s really important and to reinvent things – to change the way we live and to still be okay. That life is simple, and it’s okay. There’s more to it than fame, money, mortgages, big buildings, and trends.
This awareness was very hard for me to deal with and overcome. All concepts of Capitalism have broken and collapsed, and professions have gone remote. Now we have to re-create a new way to communicate toward a new horizon. On and off is very important. I feel that staying home was a very creative productive time to cultivate another way to look at work. It is more flexible.
Do you have faith in the vaccine?
Not 100%. I feel like it’s the ticket for the train bound to our future station.
Who do you talk to the most to keep your spirits up and help you stay optimistic?
My colleagues — my manager, my editor — and my sister.
Has the pandemic caused you to value your life and the lives of others more than you did already?
Yes, because it has made me realize what is the most important thing in my life, which is music.
Before the pandemic, I stuck to just jazz markets, just jazz concepts and jazz structure, but now, I’m realizing that what I want is not only jazz, but music itself, and the more I pursue beauty, the more I should be open to and listen to those who are searching for something real in the world.
What about your immediate surroundings have you become more aware of?
I have become more aware of my immediate surroundings, and now, my only motivation is curiosity.
Each morning I feed my dog, pat her on the head, and give her a shower. It seems like a normal routine, but little by little, I experience a tiny difference. I’m realizing that she gives me a subtle nuance reaction that I didn’t see before. She is the same, and I always thought knew her habits well, but everything changes.
Our consciousness is always shifting, and we often have different outcomes. I would like to be the beginner each day, forgetting all things we know. My new awareness is having fun.
What’s something that had to change because of the pandemic that you hope doesn’t change back once it’s over?
I think the positive impact is more communication with family and true friends. In other words, I enjoy the lack of social obligations. Video chat has helped us to connect more and more with distant family and friends than we had in pre-pandemic times.
The simple things are most essential to live happy and healthy. I don’t want pressure to do more and more, and I love that individual work styles continue post-pandemic, and that most meetings are replaced with emails and other communication tools.
During the shutdown, I found a certain freedom. I discovered the heights that we can reach without getting on to an airplane. All is done from my home studio. It is a joy and benefit not to have to travel with diamond status. No obligations or obsessions with business.
Letter to N.Y. was born in the living comfort zone of my house. I carry my small Casio keyboard and Apple PC anywhere I love to play. I proved that we have a lot of inspiring ways that light up our hearts and inspire our minds. The pandemic has shown the real importance of my life. |THIS.
[By M.J. Walker]
