The majority of the gigs here in Ethiopia have been on electric bass, in many ways this has been good for me. In my passionate pursuit of deepening my skills on the double bass, sometimes I forget that the electric bass was my first instrument of choice. On this trip, I have had to reclaim my love and enjoyment for this instrument. Here in Addis, there is only one double bass and the one fellow who plays it is unwilling to part with it even for money. It has been challenging not being able to play double bass while I am here, the instrument while not the only conduit to my SELF is indeed a profound one, this is something I realize every time I play. Sometimes, I will go a couple days with out playing and a negative mood will come in, I will go to play the bass, the mood passes and I feel very warm, loving and open. In a subtle way, I feel not having the double bass as an expressive outlet has made what ever challenges I have felt here more dense than usual.

The one time in Addis that I played a double bass was one of our best nights here in town sitting in  at a local jazz club called Alize. Every Thursday at Alize a band called Addis Acoustic, plays a set or two and then opens the set up to friends of theirs. (yes, I found the Addis version of The Hang ; ) )Meklit knew a couple of fellows in the band and they invited us to come down and sit in. We thought that we’d maybe play a tune or two. What ended up happening was a showcase the whole Arba Minch Collective that brought down thehouse in the club that night. It was a great deal of fun to be there and to play “my instrument”.

Playing the electric has definitely been good for me here it has felt to deepen that relationship and feel the need to continue doing so when I return home. These days I am opening myself to the countless expressions that exist within me and putting them out there. The electric bass is one expression that I can’t set aside anymore. This is one of many realizations here on this journey.