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freakinhorse123 · 21 days

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lilyvines here on an alt bc tumblr is being annoying when i try to send asks anyway PLEASE SHARE EVERY SUNBEARER TRIALS OPINION U HAVE EVER i loved that book and am excited to know there r other ppl to talk about it with :]

AAAA HI I LOVE THAT BOOK!!!!

So first off. I love Xio. I don’t care what happened in the ending that is a little guy. I fucking loved his relationship with Teo so much, they felt like siblings, and i DESPERATELY want to see what happens to him in the second book.

I DO NOT SEE ENOUGH LOVE FOR NIYA WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THIS BOOK. I love her so much. She’s badass, she’s NICE like she’s the best character. And from the ending, it looked like she was gonna be a big part of the second book and i desperately want her to have more big moments in it.

I absolutely loved how Aiden Thomas made sure to endear you to every single one of the possible sunbearers in this book, even if you started off hating them. Like he really hammered home that they’re just KIDS. Even Auristela had moments to give her depth, and she starts off the book regina george with fire powers. Like we get Marino and Dezi’s moment towards the end, Ocelo with their cats. It’s really hammered home that None of them deserve this. They’re just kids. And i love that so much

#asks #the sunbearer trials #i adore this book you don’t understand #xio and teo are like a superior version of nico di angelo and percy jackson #xio’s just a little guy i love him so much #HES JUST A KID I DONT CARE IF HE STARTED THE APOCALYPSE

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lifblogs · 1 year

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asks 1 and 17 for the year book asks?

1. How many books did you read this year?

17. Top five books of the year?

Sorry that a lot of these are parts of series, or the final book in a series.

1. Discordia by Kristyn Merbeth - Scorpia is finally back among the stars, far away from the memories of the war she and her family started—and ended—on Nibiru. Her first order as captain of the Memoria is to keep her crew safe, and she is all too happy not to get involved in dangerous political games for once.

Corvus is haunted by what he experienced at the hands of the Titan attack, and he's just as eager for a new beginning. He knows that not all Titans are built for war, and that the system can find peace, even as Deva and Pax begin to rattle their sabers.

Though the Kaisers may be responsible for diverting a multi-planet war, the planetary leaders are wary of the knowledge they hold. Better to lock them up and keep their dark secrets hidden. But the Kaisers are the only ones who know the truth about the threat of the ancient world-ending alien weapons rooted in each planet—and they may be the only ones who can save the system from total annihilation.

2. Light by Michael Grant - All eyes are on Perdido Beach. The barrier wall is now as clear as glass and life in the FAYZ is visible for the entire outside world to see. Life inside the dome remains a constant battle and the Darkness, away from watchful eyes, grows and grows . . . The society that Sam and Astrid have struggled so hard to build is about to be shattered for good. It's the end of the FAYZ. But who will survive to see the light of day?

3. Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan - Now ruling Tear, Andor, and Caemlyn, among other nations, Rand is recruiting all men capable of channeling to be trained as his Asha'man soldiers. The warrior Aiel clans have pledged loyalty to Rand, acknowledging him as their chief of chiefs, even though the Shaido Aiel remain a threat.

Split into two factions, the Aes Sedai of the White Tower and their rebel counterparts both seek to ally themselves with the Dragon Reborn. Rand knows all too well the manipulative nature of the Aes Sedai, no matter which side of their internal war they stand upon. But even he cannot predict just how desperate, cruel, and treacherous they can be.

And in the shadows, the Forsaken and the Dark One are conjuring even more chaos...

4. A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson - Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, is ready to fulfill his destiny. To defeat the enemy that threatens them all, he must convince his reluctant allies that his plan—as foolhardyand dangerous as it appears—is their only chance to stop the Dark One’s ascension and secure a lasting peace. But if Rand’s course of action fails, the world will be engulfed in shadow.

Across the land, Mat, Perrin, and Egwene engage in battle with Shadowspawn, Trollocs, Darkfriends, and other creatures of the Blight. Sacrifices are made, lives are lost, but victory is unassured. For when Rand confronts the Dark One in Shayol Ghul, he is bombarded with conflicting visions of the future that reveal there is more at stake for humanity than winning the war.

5. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas - As each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can keep traveling along the sky and keep the chaotic Obsidian gods at bay. Sol selects ten of the most worthy semidioses to compete in the Sunbearer Trials. The winner carries light and life to all the temples of Reino del Sol, but the loser has the greatest honor of all―they will be sacrificed to Sol, their body melted down to refuel the Sun Stones, protecting the world for another ten years.

Teo, a seventeen-year-old Jade semidiós and the trans son of the goddess of birds, isn't worried about the Trials . . . at least, not for himself. His best friend, Niya is a Gold semidiós and a shoo-in for the Trials, and while he trusts her abilities, the odds of becoming the sacrifice is one-in-ten.

But then, for the first time in over a century, the impossible happens. Sol chooses not one, but two Jade competitors. Teo, and Xio, the thirteen-year-old child of the god of bad luck. Now they must compete in five trials against Gold opponents who are more powerful and better trained. Worst of all, Teo’s annoyingly handsome ex-best friend and famous semidiós Hero, Aurelio is favored to win. Teo is determined to get himself and his friends through the trials unscathed―for fame, glory, and their own survival.

(My other favorites are Jennifer L. Armentrout’s series Blood and Ash, and Flesh and Fire.)

END OF THE YEAR BOOK ASKS

#ask #flurbejurbvondurp #books #reading #end of the year book asks

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treesap-blogs · 11 months

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HI GUYS IM POSTING ON SUNDAY INSTEAD OF SATURDAY!! Sorry. Back with a review of “The Sunbearer Trials” by Aiden Thomas

Hello, Tumblrians! It’s been a while since I’ve made a review, I’m sorry about that. Alas, only two weeks after school, my mom took me down to the South to go visit some family 😔it was lowkey miserable! 2/10 don’t recommend I got gaslit so many times lmao

SORRY FOR NOT POSTING ON SATURDAY😭I was very busy! I’m gonna try to stop making self-imposed deadlines, because a) I literally never follow through with them so they read like empty promises, b) I get last-minute anxiety paralysis and never upload.

Anyways! Here’s a review of a queer book, because they probably would’ve been restricted in the state I was in. Maybe not banned per say, but definitely not accepted with open arms. The only open arms we’re getting in South Carolina are guns, and dear old Uncle Dave pretending he’s asking me for a hug and not forcing me to do it out of moral/familial obligation. Sorry.

Not really any Book Discovery Backstory for this one, except for that I wanted to get around to reading every single Aiden Thomas book. And this was originally meant to be for the Trans Rights Readathon, but I got tired and gave up! Oops.

The Sunbearer Trials is the book in question! For once, its advertising is pretty accurate: Think The Hunger Games’ nail-biting (and televised) battle royale, mixed with the demigod folklore and plot aspects of Percy Jackson (but make it gods of Mexican instead of Greek/Roman mythology)! Teo, a Semidiós transgender teen(son of Quetzal, the god of birds), because of his Jade status, doesn’t expect to be chosen as a competitor in The Sunbearer Trials: a group of deathly games played by Semidiós teens, where the lowest-ranking has the “greatest honor” of all—be sacrificed in order to fuel the Sun’s power and keep the Obsidian evil gods at bay. However, that doesn’t mean Teo’s worried about others: his friend Niya, the higher-ranking Gold daughter of Tierra, is one of the strongest heroes of their generation and dangerously likely to be chosen. So he’s in for a nasty surprise when two Jades get selected for the games this year, one being Xio, the thirteen year-old son of Mala Suerte, and Teo. Now the two of them must compete in five mysterious trials, against far more powerful opponents, for glory, pride and their own survival.

For a book with that intense of a summary, I wasn’t expecting for it to be as humorous and fun as it was? But I’m kinda glad for that, because hundreds of pages of just on-page child death will inevitably get emotionally taxing. So, I found this to be a very enjoyable read! I liked the descriptions of food!!(don’t read this on an empty stomach), and our character dynamics, which I was pleasantly surprised by because I usually dislike or outright hate books with large casts! Aiden Thomas definitely had his priorities straight on the characters to center though, and although we got to know a bit about everyone, it didn’t feel like there was too little or too much time spent with anyone. It didn’t feel crowded, basically.

Not to be that book account, but we also got a bit of rivals to lovers, with Aurelio and Teo! I was a little on-the-fence about it at first because, you know, tropes, but I ended up growing to like the genuine bond they developed amidst the trials. Also, Aiden Thomas just has a way with writing gay yearning I think!

With all that said, although this book was a fun read, it felt juvenile at times. If some of the cursing or sexual humor was cut out, it could definitely pass as a middle grade. Personally, I don’t like middle grades, so this was disappointing to me especially considering how dark the summary is? Some of the lines (particularly Niya’s) were so corny or cringey I had to laugh. Add that to this being in a modern world, and I take critical damage from being reminded that memes and vine coexist with demigod death games in this book.

Anyhow! Overall, this was an enjoyable (even if flawed) read. As you guys should know, I love culturally rich stories, and I loved the Mexican parts of the settings and story. And if you read the summary for that and thought to yourself “hey! That sounds right up my alley”, I’m not stopping you from checking it out. I’ll also be reading the sequel, because there was a hell of a cliffhanger.

Book rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ stars/5. Finished 04/05/2023.

(Book content/trigger warnings: fire/fire injury, child death(on-page), violence+blood, bullying, gender dysphoria.)

-Paz, signing off!

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locitawritingsblog · 2 years

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Clown from The Past

Hi guys ! So I wanna try something pretty challenging. It's based on Xiono Story that I wrote on wattpad. Hope you guys like this one.

......

Chapter 2

At the corridor, Kaz and Yeager mentioned Ama was going to leave her home "Hi sis." She smiled at them "Hello brother, hello Yeager."

"How's your therarpy going ?" Yeager asked. "It's going so well, I even could feel to myself again." She expressed her gratittude.

Kaz smiled "I'm happy to hear it."

"Anyway, your daughter told Lucky to gather old toys and he's with their friends now. Now, I have to see my therapist in 45 minutes 33 seconds. I will see you two later. "

Kaz waved at her "Be careful, sis !" "Looks like everything works out fine for her." Yeager commented. Next, they saw the kids working together to gather old toys.

At the time, Lucky came to them "Hi uncle Kaz, hello grandpa !"

"Hello Lucky, I see you have few toys to donate." Yeager spoke.

"Yeah, I mean, I'm grown up now. I don't need these anymore, including this." Lucky showed his old clown doll which Kaz screamed and hid behind Yeager.

Lucky apologized "I'm really sorry, Uncle Kaz. I forgot my mother told me about this." "It's fine... Lucky *nervous laugh* you really sure to donate that, right ?" "I'm sure. Gotta see what Randy will donate. Probably his pet toys."

After Lucky left, Yeager spoke with Kaz "I thought you could handle it. Didn't use one of Meeko's circus tricks back then ?"

"I did. But, it takes longer than I hope." Kaz sighed.

Yeager could tell there was something going on Kaz's mind that he couldn't explain to himself.

Arrived at the high tower, they met Torra "There you are, my love." She gave Kaz a hug then kissed each other. "I was gonna make dinner. Wanna help ?" "Anything for you, honeylatte."

While Kaz and Torra made dinner, Yeager decided to have a seat and stared at the window. Suddenly he heard the voice "You can't run away, Xiono."

Yeager turned around but he saw nothing. However he could feel that someone had been following a young man here.

----------

Vivian helped Ayu to gather some old toys that Ayu didn't use anymore. Vivian noticed Ayu had been thinking as holding her two toys, X-wing toy and her sunbear. "What's bothering you, girl ?"

Ayu sighed "I can't decide if I should give these away."

Vivian asked "Why ?"

"These are the gifts from my dad. If I give these away, I would break his heart. Have I ever told you what happened to my dad's old blanket ?"

"Oh yeah, you did. I mean, he didn't have much stuff from his homeworld." Vivian said. "My sister and I had to sell ours to survive when we were down."

They heard a knock as staring at Kaz "Girls, it's dinner time. Vivian, your sister said you could have a sleepover here for days while her and Blade had to go out for awhile."

Vivian nodded "Okay, Mr. Xiono. And I already gather mine at your grandpa's place."

"Thanks Vivian. She'll be here any minute to bring your stuff."

Vivian immediately left the room as Ayu took breath and walked to him "Uh... Dad, I need to talk with you about something." "Of course, starcake. What is it ?"

"You know that I'm teenager now and I'm not the same that I was used to... If you know what I mean...and I know how these are meant to you." Ayu was nervous to said.

Kaz knew that her starcake wasn't that little anymore and he remembered that they were used to play with these a lot. He sighed as put his hand on her shoulder "I know it's hard, sweetie but it's up to you. If you decide to give, then you decided to make the other one happy. That's my favorite part."

"I'll think about it." Ayu responded.

"I know you will." He kissed on her forehead. "Come on, let's have a dinner." They left the room.

__________

Kaz had to wash his face before he heading to the master room. He was bothered by the voice calling him. He could feel whoever is it, it was getting closer and closer.

He turned around and it was nothing but he looked back to the mirror, there was a creepy clown in front of him "You're not going anywhere, Xiono." He spoke in creepy voice.

Kaz was so shocked as he fell down on the floor and crawled back. He screamed really loudly until Yeager, Torra, Ayu, and Vivian showed up.

"Kaz, what is it ?" Yeager sat as rubbing Kaz's back.

"There's, there's... A clown on that...He's not leaving.... me.... alone." Kaz breathing so fast until he barely spoke as pointing at the mirror.

Vivian checked out the mirror "I see nothing." "Well...there was...there was a same...clown that I met....back home..." Kaz tried to explain but he couldn't calm himself down.

Yeager comforted Kaz by giving him a hug "It's gonna be okay, Kazuda. It'll be over." He could feel Kaz's shaking body due of his fear. He decided to hum to calm him down.

You with the sad eyes

Don't be discouraged, oh I realize

It's hard to take courage

In a world full of people

You can lose sight of it all

The darkness inside you

Can make you feel so small

Show me a smile then

Don't be unhappy

Can't remember when

I last saw you laughing

This world makes you crazy

And you've taken all you can bear

Just call me up

'Cause I will always be there

Kaz finally calmed down after hearing Yeager singing. He put his head on his shoulder as they hugged.

Vivian was touched and worried at the same time seeing this so did Torra and Ayu. Torra put her arm around her daughter's shoulder while Ayu holding her mother's hand.

......

To Be Continued

I hope you guys like it so far. I love this song until I requested @tinysbandanadad to make these.

I tag @cassie-fanfics , @genericficerblog , @zaya-mo , @thebadbatch2022 , @fulokis , @girlzrok-archive , @tinysbandanadad , @tiny-badbatcher , and anyone else who wants to.

#star wars resistance #sw resistance #star wars fanfiction #kazuda xiono #jarek yeager #torra doza #writing post #clown from the past

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jamesunderwater · 11 months

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for the lgbtq ask – 💜 & 🦚!

💜 - What Label(s) Have You Identified With for the Longest?

Bisexual (: I came out as bi when I was like 13. Now that I'm transitioning I identify with it a little less kind of? Cause I'm realizing I'm more attracted to masc folks generally, but I'd still consider myself bi/pan at the end of the day.

🦚 - Are there any queer books/shows/etc. that you would suggest?

omg anon you made my DAY by asking this one. Okay here we go: BOOKS - 1. Song of Achilles (obviously, jfc that book murdered me i still haven't recovered 2 years later) 2. Kiss Her Once for Me (ADORABLE and perfect winter sapphic romance) 3. The Charm Offensive (same author as #2, this one is mlm, has some great mental illness rep) 4. The Heartstopper series (just wholesome af) 5. The Sunbearer Trials (for lots of trans rep and in a fantasy world a la percy jackson!) 6. Ander & Santi Were Here (I haven't actually finished reading this one yet, i just bought it a few weeks ago, but just from the author's note at the beginning i can tell it's gonna be so so so good. trans rep, mlm <3) 7. Call Me By Your Name (i know there are some problematic aspects but the book is AMAZING, so much better than the movie [sorry timmy, it's not your fault they cast the wrong guy as oliver], and it reaaaaaally encapsulates the feeling of being a teenager and a. falling obsessively in love and b. realizing you're queer) SHOWS - 1. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (THIS SHOW IS PERFECT) 2. Heartstopper (again, wholesome af) 3. Crashing (it's literally one season but i LIVE for the gay moments in that show) 4. The Owl House (i'm still watching through it but it seems very wholesome and i know it's gay) 5. BBC Merlin (I cannot stress enough how gay this show is) MOVIES - Portrait of a Lady on Fire (I LIVE AND BREATHE AND DIE FOR THIS MOVIE FUCKING KILL ME it's fine, but seriously watch it right now) (i can't think of any others right now portrait of a lady on fire is everything)

#i feel like i forgot sooooo many but hopefully this is a good list for anyone who is looking <3 #pride month 2023 #gay shit #ask meme #charlie mail

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softlystarstruck · 1 year

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hi lovely friend!! 4, 6, and 25 for the book asks! 💕

thank you emma!! 💖

4. Did you discover any new authors that you love this year?

i’m going to assume this means new to me!! the first one is cat sebastian, i read “the queer principles of kit webb” in the summer and proceeded to read every single novel of hers that’s available on Libby. i’ve been really turned off to most adult romance books for a while but hers have such heart! some other authors that i discovered this year that i want to read more if are aiden thomas (i read the sunbearer trials), anna-marie mclemore (i read self-made boys), and ryan la sala (i read the honeys)

6. Was there anything you meant to read, but never got to?

cemetery boys by aiden thomas, the dreamer trilogy by maggie stiefvater, last night at the telegraph club by malinda lo, and a handful of others!! i try to balance my own tbr list with recommendations from my sibling, friends, and coworkers (i am a librarian so my coworkers have Opinions 😂)

25. What reading goals do you have for next year?

i set a goal for 50 books this year and blew past it, so i think i’m going to set that same goal next year!!

#softly answering

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transmasc-wizard · 5 months

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3, 10, 11, and 13 for the end of year book asks, please!!!

~Morrigan (@memento-morri-writes)

3: (top 5 books) answered 2 asks down :]

10: What was your favorite new release of the year?

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang and Chalice of the Gods by RR are basically tied

11: What was your favorite book that has been out for a while, but you just now read?

definitely death note! I'm late to the party lol. I'm on volume 8 now and I'm really liking it.

13: What were your least favorite books of the year?

god I had such a shitty start of the year, the first 2 books were the worst all year. Huckleberry Finn was terribly written and a slog to get through, and the Sunbearer Trials' insane fumbling of its amazing potential made it the worst book I've read since It Ends With Us in 2022 (and maybe even since I read Camp).

#ask games

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garudabluffs · 4 years

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The musical community absorbed some devastating news this week, when Keith Jarrett revealed that he may never return to public performance.

As Keith Jarrett Closes a Chapter, Jazz United Reflects on His Monumental Solo Piano Career Oct 23, 2020

Listen 40:21 READ MORE Transcript https://www.wbgo.org/post/keith-jarrett-closes-chapter-jazz-united-reflects-his-monumental-solo-piano-career

Hear a Spellbinding New Solo Performance by Keith Jarrett, Released For His 75th Birthday May 8, 2020

youtube

https://www.wbgo.org/post/hear-spellbinding-new-solo-performance-keith-jarrett-released-his-75th-birthday

Keith Jarrett Confronts a Future Without the Piano 10/21/2020

The pathbreaking musician reveals the health issues that make it unlikely he will ever again perform in public.

“The last time Keith Jarrett performed in public, his relationship with the piano was the least of his concerns. This was at Carnegie Hall in 2017, several weeks into the administration of a divisive new American president.

Mr. Jarrett — one of the most heralded pianists alive, a galvanizing jazz artist who has also recorded a wealth of classical music — opened with an indignant speech on the political situation, and unspooled a relentless commentary throughout the concert. He ended by thanking the audience for bringing him to tears.”

“IF THE PROSPECT of a Keith Jarrett who no longer considers himself a pianist is dumbfounding, it might be because there has scarcely been a time he didn’t. Growing up in Allentown, Pa., he was a prodigy. According to family lore, he was 3 when an aunt indicated a nearby stream and told him to turn its burbling into music — his first piano improvisation.”

“Loss has shrouded Mr. Jarrett’s musical circle of late. Mr. Peacock died last month, at 85. Jon Christensen, the drummer in Mr. Jarrett’s influential European quartet of the 1970s, died earlier this year. Mr. Jarrett also led a groundbreaking American quartet in the ’70s, and its other members — the saxophonist Dewey Redman, the bassist Charlie Haden, the drummer Paul Motian, all major figures in modern jazz — have passed on, too.”

“Given that Mr. Jarrett has made all but a small portion of his recorded output in front of an audience, his cantankerous reputation might best be understood as the turbulent side of a codependent relationship. He put the matter most succinctly during a Carnegie Hall solo concert in 2015, when he announced, “Here’s the big deal that nobody seems to realize: I could not do it without you.”

READ MORE https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/arts/music/keith-jarrett-piano.html?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Comments 641

“ It’s amazing, I haven’t read a comment section that has been all positive and full of such good will in years.”

“Keith Jarrett's five-CD Set, Live at the Blue Note, recorded with Jack DeJohnette and Gary Peacock is the greatest recorded compendium of jazz standards by a piano trio that I have ever heard.”

“I was a freshman at UMASS in 1974 and Keith Jarrett came for a visit and had a small seminar in a dormitory/student center up the hill. I had never heard of him, but my buddy hinted at his greatness. He spoke for about 30 minutes, discussing his music by referring to the three elements that allow a kite to fly: lift, an anchor and whatever the tail does to make it stable. Afterward he played. I sat there with my mouth agape, and afterward as we walked down the hill, we did nothing but laugh at the top of our lungs.”

“I was at that UMASS appearance too! Found out about it just a couple hours before. I remember he said he wasn't going to play - just talk about his philosophy. I remember the 3 factors as "gravity, flight, and the controlling force". Eventually he couldn't think of anything more to say and sat down to "test" the piano. Of course this turned into an amazing improvisation. I remember he said afterwards "This piano has a lot of gravity". I was just getting serious about jazz piano and went up to shyly afterward. "Keith, I kind of get what you were saying", I said. He looked at me kindly and said "You are either on the path, not on the path, or not sure". I often have lucid dreams of playing piano duets with Keith. I think and hope he will find another way to make music - piano just was his main vehicle.”

“_ _an interview w/ Keith Jarrett on NPR _ _ At some point the interviewer asked, Mr. Jarrett, at what point do you know which chord to play next? Keith Jarrett took a moment and then replied what became an unforgettable sentence and mantra for me: "In Jazz as well as in life it is not so much about knowing what comes next, but being in a state of mind where you don't need to know what comes next."

“Keith Jarrett was trained at Eastman School of Music in Rochester,”

Solo Concerts: Bremen/Lausanne. Blackberry Winter was our wedding song. Keith Jarrett's "Somewhere, Over the Rainbow" "Heartland (Live at Festspielhaus, Bregenz/1981)" - Sun Bear Concerts from Japan. Sunbear Concerts his collaboration with the late Charlie Haden: "Don't Ever Leave Me." The Koln Concert and Bill Evans Live At The Vanguard "My Funny Valentine" on Still Live - what a masterpiece, from beginning to end "Someone To Watch Over Me" His work on Forest Flower with Lloyd at the MJF in 68, I think, stands out to me as some of the greatest ensemble improvisation I've ever heard. "Blame It on My Youth/Meditation" from "The Melody at Night, With You" cd

https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm10703033

How Can Chaos Lead To Creative Breakthroughs?

[“...1975, when he performed what would become “The Köln Concert” — a sonorous, mesmerizing landmark that still stands as one of the best-selling solo piano albums ever made. It has also been hailed as an object lesson in triumph over adversity, including Mr. Jarrett’s physical pain and exhaustion at the time, and his frustration over an inferior piano.]

about something that happened in Cologne, Germany, in 1975. It's a story about the legendary jazz pianist Keith Jarrett, but it doesn't actually start with him. https://www.npr.org/transcripts/719557642?t=1603582526700

#Keith Jarrett

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