Jacob Collier & Chris Thile & the A2S

We've all been fascinated by Jacob Collier's particular musical genius, and have looked forward to seeing him live, despite the nearest tour location being up north.  (We arrived on campus after dusk, and Andy told the boys the sun never reaches the U of M) I'm mostly posting here so we can look back and remember the show - the astonishing talent, the incredible humility, the joy of being included in the music-making. 

I kept waiting for Chris Thile's mandolin to catch on fire. Jacob is not only a harmonic mastermind, he's also an amazing showman. And the remarkable courage it must've required for symphony members to agree to compose with Jacob on the spot! It's completely out of character for our family to return home at 2AM on a school night, but none of us regret making the time to be there.

photos via Ann Arbor Symphony, courtesy Charlotte Smith

This Jacob Collier Improvises with the Symphony clip is what really drew us in awhile back!

'tis apparently the season

 Let's be clear, the through line here is spooky.

good advice

to sit out in the sun, and listen

If it exists, the America I love may be on the ball field and in the choir room.

And if there are answers in poetry, Hoagland's "The Word" suggests we find the time to do both, that among our duties, pleasure is a thing that needs accomplishing.