Family, Friends, Harmony, and Soul: June Cavlan Inspires Audience at Birdland Jazz Club in NYC

We voted for soul, harmony, rhythm, friendship, family, and flow.

On election night, I was reminded why I love Jazz music so much. We visited the legendary Birdland Jazz Club in New York City and watched a young lady entertain and inspire a room filled with Americans of all different shapes, sizes, colors, and backgrounds.

June Cavlan channeled some of my favorite musical artists with bursts of creativity, soulfulness, and the type of raw-humble talent that guaranteed everyone in the audience would go home a winner.

As a dad, watching her Dad, Adrian, and 20 loved ones who flew in from California, support his beautiful daughter on stage was quite a moving experience and inspired me to be like him and keep showin’ up and showin’ folks I care about that they are loved and appreciated- no matter what I have to do or how far I have to travel to make that happen.

Music is something else. Really. Especially Jazz. Watching June as the lead vocalist command the stage but make sure that the truly gifted pianist, bass player, and drummer all get their time to shine and simultaneously enjoy each other’s company was fascinating to watch. Because it’s not just the courteous thing to do, it’s the natural thing to do during a Jazz performance.

The “rhythm and flow” were authentic. The smiles were genuine. The sweat and “harmony” were legitimate. No teleprompter needed. No one was told how to feel. You can’t manufacture “soul.” June spoke to us from the heart and then just let her voice be the exclamation point and sound byte that we chose to take away. Her fellow musicians did the same.

I don’t know what the next four years will bring… but I do know that I like the way this election night felt in New York city with family and friends. (No, not just because I actually got a legal parking spot on the street only ½ a block from the club and saved 40 bucks.) But because the air was warm, the skyline was a spectacular sight, and I was reminded that as long as there is Jazz music and good people to enjoy it with there’s plenty of hope and happiness for all of us who seek it and create it.

Best wishes to June, Shawn, Adrian, and the Cavlan family!

Onwards and upwards...

Enjoy your weekend, everyone.

Cheers, -m