I’m writing this at the end of March - typically the time when students are turning their minds to final exams and beginning to get into a writing groove. I know this because April and May are peak streaming months for instrumental music.
You’d think that with the Covid 19 nightmare things would be a little different this year - but apparently no - students may not be going into school, but assignments are still in place and exams are looming.
So what to listen to when your anxiety levels are already redlining?
I’ve loved this track for years and had been hoping to find a place for it on the list. We feature a number of Jazz artists with tracks from people like Joe Pass, Michael Casey and Joonas Widenius and of course an amazing 19 minute odyssey from Miles Davis - but you’ve gotta be careful with Jazz - many people find it too complex and distracting and they don’t really understand it and so they turn off without giving it a real listen.
Which makes it odd that I’m presenting this piece of music - an undoubtedly classic performance from a traditional Jazz trio: Piano, Double Bass and Drums. But here’s the thing - it’s perfect for the times. There’s such a wonderfully understated feel to the piece - a calmness that evokes that sense of “It’ll be alright” - I find it to be, quite literally, a healing piece of music.
Noah Baerman, the pianist and composer, is one of those genuinely good human beings - our paths crossed over a decade ago through the Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation. If you enjoy this track you should check out the album Patch Kit. Noah is playing with two giants of the Jazz world, Ben Riley on drums and Ron Carter on Bass - it’s an incredible piece of work!
And finally, if you’re in need of a pick me up - don’t miss the version of We Shall Overcome - maybe not the best music to write to but damn if it isn’t music to be inspired to!
Banner image by Carla Ten Eyck
You can learn more about Noah Baerman here:
About the Curator: Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to be creative and brilliant without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As the founder of musicto I’m on a mission to inspire a global audience of music lovers and artists through the development of people powered playlists.
