June 3rd, 2019
 

A senseless murder and our scene is again diminished in an incontrovertible way.  Dear Lawrence Leathers, a steadfast fixture of our jazz family, in one horrible moment, was taken away from us and we will never see him or hear him play again.  Tragic, numbing, exhausting.  Where is the justice?

As is often the case when there's an event effecting the scene I am called and emailed.  People demand to know what's going on - to know if the news is true.  I get barraged with calls, emails, messages - pleading; "please, Spike, is this a joke?  tell me this isn't true" and I have to gather my strength and offer my unwavering voice - "yes, he's gone".  But I am also ripped apart inside with tears streaming down my cheeks.  Another brother to mourn, another hole in our wall.   I consider quitting everything and giving up.  "Not again!", I think to myself, "how can we as a community survive another loss as tough as this one?"  The diamonds of this music take years to form in the pressure cookers of our clubs and nightlife.  Musicians like Lawrence are as rare as fine gems - once in a generation, not something to be wasted so carelessly.  One moment, he is at the bar, jack and coke in hand and a wry smile, the next in a body bag being taken from his murder scene.  Incomprehensible.

Lawrence Leathers, as everyone who knew him, was a beautiful spirit.  Charming, funny as hell and sparkling with talent.  Unfortunately, as with many great artists, also plagued with demons who tried continually to destroy him and, finally did.  What can we take from all this?  One thing that I observed in a tragedy like this is that it unifies everyone in a common love.  We identify ourselves with this group and call it a "family" - yes, different people from different places, cultures, races but unified in the love of this music and of each other - mutual admiration, mutual appreciation.  Jazz is a family and we recognize our own.

It's been a rough few years for us.  On social media it seems that everyone is tearing each other apart.  We are being told by senior artists that we "suck" or that one giant musician tears into another relentlessly.  Great icons are attacked or belittled.  Enough is enough.  It's time for some tenderness, some compassion.  Let's remember how rare our lives are and how precious and special this music is.  Enough petty backstabbing and name calling.  Let's love each other and take care of each other and protect each other like a family should.  Death is a wake up call and Lord knows we have received ours.  Take nothing for granted as nothing is permanent and anything can disappear in the blink of an eye.  Like after a flash of light -  all we have left is the burn on our retinas.

Dear Lord God, we Thank Thee for this very day and for the blessings that we have right here and now.  Grant us the strength to value each other and take into account each other's Humanity.  Without each other we have nothing.  Be gentle, be peaceful.  Our music, our family.

Spike