Music Gardeners Almanac: Cultivating the Roots and Fruits of Every Body Music

Barry Barbe for Prescott Palette from KPPV

Barry interviewed me for his radio show Prescott Palette on KPPV. We focused mostly on my play Blood on the Ivories, but got very biographical because that's what the play is. We followed many tributaries.

Blood on the Ivories Interview

Aaron Wren Wilson interviews me about my upcoming play at the Cosmos Theatre. Blood on the Ivories: a musical in one act written and composed by Jonathan Best Directed by Delisa Myles and Keaton Snyder Cast of Characters Rock (played by Jonathan Best) An Old man who thinks he is a rockstar performing his final show which is being broadcast to the entire world Doc (Played by Loring Snyder)Thinks he is Rock’s therapist in a psyche ward after Rock’s attempted suicide The Audience (played by you) What do you think? May 23, 24, 25 at Cosmos Theatre 222 North Marina St. Prescott AZ 86303 “Blood on the Ivories” is a genre-defying theatrical experience that blurs the line between play, musical, and collective ritual, inviting audiences to confront the complexities of trauma, genius, and healing.

The Connection Co-op - Finding Our Way Back to Our Shared Humanity Through Community Art

In this episode, I demonstrate community building through community art while we sing our transformation in our beautifully flawed way. And guess who wins. Love!

E15 Music for Human Connection: a presentation I gave at Trinity Church

One day Every Body Music will become a mainstream genre. In the meantime please support our work by sharing our podcasts, leaving comments, and contributing at everybodymusic.rocks/donate. In this episode, we delve into the profound impact music has on human connections and social relationships. Jonathan shares the belief that music transcends the barriers of language, fostering deeper communication and bonding among humans. We talk about the ubiquitous nature of music in our lives, emphasizing the inherent musicality inside each one of us and the crucial role it plays in our existence. We talk about music as a tool to understand life better and to work on personal growth. Our music is an essential part of that human connection, reaching places words fail to reach - a powerful form of communication that has become disconnected in the era of texting and computer interaction. I invite listeners to reconsider conventional stereotypes of musical talent bestowed upon a lucky few, and instead accept that we are all musical in our unique ways.  We sing songs like "Repurpose Hate and Turn It Into Love" and "Beautifully Flawed", reiterating the importance of love in facing adversities. The discussion is enriched with a quote from Martin Luther King on the power of love. Individual stories are shared showing the commonality of experiences and the potential for change and growth. Throughout the discussion, Jonathan engages with the participants, encouraging them to recognize their individual skills and apply them in a musical context. Concluding the episode, we stress the transformative potential of music and how music aids in dealing with personal fears, stories, and expectations. The engagement ends with a resonating message that reinforces the power of love and music in our lives. Join us in experiencing the magic of music in human connection.

E14 A Guided Musical Meditation

One day Every Body Music will become a mainstream genre. In the meantime please support our work by sharing our podcasts, leaving comments, and contributing at everybodymusic.rocks/donate. In this immersive episode, recorded at the Trinity Presbyterian church in Prescott, AZ, USA, we take a profound journey through the rhythms and melodies within us, unraveling the musicality inherent in our bodies. Delve deep into this guided meditation structured around the music in and around us, as we attempt to slow our heartbeats and harmonize with the collective soundscape in the room. Close your eyes and feel the music within you ebb and flow with your breaths, tapping into the personal groove within your bodily rhythm. As we delve deeper, we familiarize ourselves with the truth that our bodies are musical and designed to connect with one another. Together, we explore the unspoken melodies in our bodies, the shared lyrics and sounds that our bodies produce in unison, stirring the silence and making this room come alive. Immerse yourself in the grand orchestration of collective breaths, individual notes, and shared vibrations. The rhythm of the room harmonizes with the patterns outside, seeping its essence into every breath. Perceive the minutest alterations within your vocal cords, just as the body gently responds to each breath. We meet at the junction of solitude and togetherness, creating a mesmerizing symphony where our shared humanity becomes a palpable entity. We dive headfirst into the beauty of dissonance, the pleasure of harmony, and the intricate web of notes that silence can weave. For the grand finale of this collective psalm, we release our notes into the universe, respecting and embracing our weird ideas. Tuning into this engaging guided meditation, we explore a world of music within us, connecting us deeper to our shared human experience. Now close your eyes and let the music guide you in.