Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: jazzyvee on September 03, 2022, 08:43:16 AM
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I try not to put anything from my private life on the internet but sometimes there is a crossover between private and musical life so for this i make an exception. I do find this uncomfortable and hope that if i don't like it being here in the future the administrators will allow me to have the post deleted.
Well my start in music came when I played a Wailers track called Duppy Conqueror from one of mum's compilation albums and something about that made me want to play bass. Later on mum bought me my first acoustic guitar for my 15th birthday, (i still have it), and my first bass about a year later and although she didn't come to many of my gigs she was always supportive and loved to hear about my gigs and came to some of the ones where I was playing guitar in a couple of steel bands and the jazzy ones in more recent years.
Anyway this morning sadly, my mum passed away in her sleep. It wasn't unexpected but it is indeed a difficult thing for me to grasp at the moment as I saw her for a few hours yesterday morning and we were really close and I was also her carer for 3 1/2 years when she moved into my home from the caribbean. She then moved into a care home about 4 years ago, which is where she passed away.
Now and again I tried to get her to have a strum on one of my guitars she never did.
However a few years back when she was living with me and I was on the sofa learning some music, the phone rang and I sat her down and placed the bass on her lap and the head phones on and left her to it. When I came back she was engrossed and I took this one photo before she realised.
So this is a treasured photo and this is the one place i feel that I want to share it, but respectfully request you don't share it or any comments about this moment anywhere else such as social media as I don't want to be discussing this on somewhere like facebook. If I do it will be when me and my family feel comfortable to do so.
As it happens I have a dep gig tonight and have agonised over whether to do the gig or not but after discussing with my family we think she would not want me to cancel this gig, but to carry on with my music so I am going to do the gig and hope I can get through it OK. I had already planned to take that bass with me as it's vintage reggae and ska, all played with 4 string basses.
Thanks for reading.
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Oh Vince. I'm so sorry for your loss. That's going to be a hard one, my friend. I'll be thinking of you from over here today.
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I lost my mom 2 years ago last month; it's a real kick in the gut. Please accept my deepest condolences, and know you're in my thoughts.
Peter
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Tina and I send our deepest condolences, Vince. And I’m glad we can all be part of this extended Alembic family that provides this space where you feel comfortable sharing this life-changing news. We’ve been dealing with my Mom’s failing health. She’s 97. I drove cross country (California to New York and back at the height of Covid) twice in 2020 to help her get into assisted living and clean out her co-op for sale. You are a good son for being there for you Mum all these years. That’s a great photo of her with the bass. She looks like she was a cool lady.
May the Four Winds Blow You Safely Home
Bill, tgo
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I am very sorry as well. It's such a hard thing to go through.
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Very sorry for your loss, Vince, condolences and best wishes for your family in this difficult time. We are all thinking of you!
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So sorry for your loss Vince, losing your mother is one of the most difficult things anyone goes through. Holding you in my heart!
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My most sincere condolences Vince. May you be comforted in all the fond remembrances of Mom as you go through life and as you perform for the delight of others, sharing your love through music.
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Vince, Sorry to hear of your loss. It isn't easy losing a parent. If your memories are like that photo it appears to me you should have many good ones to keep with you and share with your family. Will keep you in my thoughts.
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Respectful wishes to you and your family.
Mom’s are super special. Mom’s that understand music in their children are golden.
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So sorry to hear this JV. My thoughts are with you. It’s hard losing your mum.
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That's a beautiful picture of your mom. Holding you in my heart, dear friend.
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Hugs from across the ocean. Vince, I am sorry for the loss of your dear mother. The time you spent caring for her is something you will never regret. I'm glad you carried on with the gig, even though I didn't meet her, from the sounds of it, your mom would want you to do just that.
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Very sorry for your loss Jazzyvee.
My mom has always been very supportive of my music and life. I dont believe we can ever "pay back" that love given to us, but only strive to pass something of it on to the people around us. Seeing your passion and kindness on this forum over the years, you are doing exactly that.
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What a beautiful moment you captured in your photograph. Keep her in your heart and you will always have her. I have many dreams about my late mother, and they are always happy ones. May yours be as well!
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Sorry for the loss of your mother, Vince. Thinking of you today.
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Condolences and big love to you jazzyvee. We know she was proud of you. Now she's free, and in a way you are too. I think we all start out playing to please our moms. Then at some point it might transition to pleasing girls (or boys), then our life partners, then maybe just the other folks in the band. But that first reason sticks with us to the end so losing mom is undoubtedly one of life's toughest moments.
Jimmy J
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Condolences from me also - great photo to treasure and thanks for sharing it. I think you made the right decision to do the gig tonight.
Glynn
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Sorry for your loss Vince....and honored that you chose Us to share it with. We are (mostly) a faceless bunch-o-friends around the world...brought together by a family business that promotes the making of music and beautiful objects. A pretty special place in the wild world of the internet.
On to my start of music.....I was 10 and honking on an Alto Sax. I was on the 1st Belwen Band Builder Book and unable to play "Our First Piece". Normally I was left in a room in the house away from the other family members....for obvious reasons.
Eventually my Ma came in and sat next to me. Through the honking....she said "that's Mary Had A Little Lamb!"
It was like finding the Rosetta Stone! All the sudden those random dots were a language I could understand......and my Ma was there when it happened. The honking subsided and for the next 8 years, my family put up with the Alto, Tenor & Baritone Sax.
The Bass at 15 was another story.....that was relegated to after school until my parents came home from work. My Pa had a "no long hair & no guitar ban in the house." Eventually, paper route money amassed $75.00 for my first Vantage Bass. It was another 2 years before an amp was bought. Slow steps to coexist with parents until I could move out.
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OH, it's so heart felt. My condolences Jazzy. What a nice picture of your mum holding your bass. How old was she? I'm going to go downstairs after this post and hug my 86-year-old mother! You see, I too have been taking care of my mother. I gave up my Graphics arts career 11 years ago to stay with her. No regrets, just as you are glad that you took care of yours! Good for you and BLESS you. My mother also bought my 1st bass and 67' Ampeg- flip top for my 18th birthday. That is when I started playing bass. She was the one that told me to always tap my feet to stay in beat. although not a musician, but knew to tell me "Michael, keep tapping your feet, don't stop when playing. My 1st music teacher! LOL. Aren't these mothers great? Earth Angels! And now yours will be seeing ALL of your gigs from HEAVEN, including the one you will currently play. She will be their front stag smiling.
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Jazzy, so sorry for your loss, It's always tough, specially if it's your mom.
I lost my mom 18 years ago, she never saw how great my career as musician is, but she would be quite proud of me. Same as your mom was proud of you.
Moms are always moms, and they live in our hearts forever. Stay strong!
Goran
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Condolences on your loss, Jazzy. I lost my own mom just over three months ago. As others have said, it's something that takes time to get into perspective. Life (and gigs/work) goes on.