PAUL METZKE’S ASCENDING STAIRCASE!
A Wes Montgomery album forever changed his life! Paul Metzke started playing guitar at the age of 12. Born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised to the Motown sound, he soon formed his own jazz trio and hasn’t stopped since. “What counts most in any creative artistic endeavour is cultivating your own distinct voice and unique identity” says Paul. He’s played with some of the greatest jazz musicians around.
Please welcome an awesome guitarist, a great musician and a most generous and interesting man, Paul Metzke, thank you. I sincerely appreciate you taking time to participate in this project and answering my questions.
1. What is music to and for you? (generally and personally)
Music is one of the greatest outlets for creative self or group expression there is. It’s simultaneously spiritual and sensual.
It’s a bridge from the physical world to the spiritual universe crossed over by the feeling, thought, emotion, and imagination of the individual(s) involved. And the fact that this experience can be shared, makes it like a telepathic communication between not only the players but the listeners as well. When you hear music (especially music that you enjoy)you are instantly transported to an abstract dimension where dreams are real and the inexpressible finds the ways and means of emerging out of the depths of the subconscious to rise up and actualize itself. When I play music I feel enriched, inspired, and empowered, and playing for a receptive audience amplifies those feelings exponentially.
2. What inspires you?
Artistic excellence of any kind; Art, Music, Poetry, Dance, Movies, etc… and of course nature, God is the greatest artist. I find great inspiration as well in my spiritual study and practice of the Science of Mind and the Teachings of
Abraham. When you consciously realize your unity with the Universe(God, Nature, Source, Higher Power) or whatever name you choose to call it, you can’t help but feel uplifted and inspired. And musically, I love the truth of the Blues, and the freedom and energy of Jazz, best of all. But any music if it’s played well and with a depth of feeling is an inspiration to me.
3. When you are creating, playing, where does it take you? I mean where does your mind travel?
I think all performing artists: Singers, Dancers, Actors, Musicians, etc… obviously love their work, but, it’s those “special moments of inspiration” that really make your heart beat with joy and delight. That’s what we’re all going for. When everything is working seamlessly, in divine order and perfect right action.
It’s like you “know” that you are in some kind of peak performance mode, and what has been called “Fluid Drive Control” or “Flow consciousness,” is an ongoing, seemingly timeless experience in your current reality.
It’s a kind of Zen Meditation like state of consciousness where you are the player and the listener simultaneously. You can experience this to a greater or lesser degree alone just playing your instrument, at times anyway, but, when it’s happening with a group, in front of an audience, it really is a totally awesome and transcendent experience.
4. Do you think music, visual art and health are related and if so, how?
Everything is related by way of the state of your consciousness. Music runs the full spectrum of emotions and energy levels. It can excite and delight you, energize and empower you, or sooth, relax and heal you, as you wish.
What to listen to is almost always your own choice, the music, the musician, the group, the CD, the radio station, etc… What is projected, is generally received in the same state of mind from which it was conceived. And because music is basically the transmission of vibrational alignments, it is you the listener that makes the choice as to what harmonizes with your own particular current state of consciousness.
5. How do you feel when you are playing?
I feel an immediate surge of joy, exhilaration, passion, and power relative to the music I’m playing and the situation I’m in. For the last few years I’ve been playing all original music with my trio, and this for me, is the ultimate musical delight.
As Miles Davis once said, “When you’re doing your own thing, not even the sky is the limit.”
We play a soulful synthesis of Jazz, Funk, and Blues that is fully intended to elevate, uplift, and positively energize. It’s all about the feeling, because that’s what’s being communicated. And feeling good is the prime directive.
We want to make the music feel good, so the audience will feel good in the listening experience. Because at its essence, music is the celebration of life, and of being alive.
6. Under what conditions do you do your best work?
The best you can do is work hard to get yourself into peak performance condition, physically, mentally, and instrumentally, at least as much as possible, and be as well rested as you can be prior to a performance. That way you are prepared and ready when the lightening strikes. Inspiration is a fickle and fleeting thing that comes and goes as it pleases, but if you work 
hard on your state of readiness, chances are good that it will pay you a visit.
7. Do you identify with your music and if so, on what level?
Absolutely! When you’re playing music and especially when you are improvising, you are the music. Your inner thoughts, feelings, and emotions are instantly projected and reflected in and through the music.
Some times “you” make it happen, and other times you get swept away, and it channels through you by “divine remote control”. When you improvise or play your own original music, that to me is the highest level, at least as far as creative self expression goes.
8. Does playing help you connect with your Higher Self whatever that is for you?
Yes! I believe that learning music is somewhat like Yoga in the sense that it is a continual cleansing and purification of the self(Spirit). We start out in relative darkness and little by little, day by day, we study, practice, and learn to improve ourselves on our instrument. And as the light gets a little brighter, our understanding gets a little clearer, and if we study and practice diligently with focus and intention, we see definite improvement and advancement. Its like climbing an infinitely ascending staircase, there’s always more to learn, know, accomplish, and aspire to. Playing music is not only a heavenly pursuit, but a bridge that can lead you to the direct realization that Spirit is what you are, God is all there is.
9. How do you feel about creativity in the public school systems?
Removing Art and Music from education would be a monumental blunder on the part of our school systems. Children should be encouraged, enabled, and allowed to be as creative and productive as they possibly can be.
They all have their own particular raw talents waiting to be discovered and explored, and If you can spark a fire in them that instills a creative aspiration, you will have actually impacted and possibly transformed their lives in an incredibly positive way. Creative thought, imagination, and related activities cultivates the mind equally as much as reading, memorizing and test taking.
10. In your opinion, what could be a simple solution to improving creativity in the public school systems?
I think it’s as simple as monkey see, monkey do, that’s how we all learn. I
have taught guitar lessons for many years. Seeing an example, demonstration, or performance will automatically inspire those receptive young minds to want to try themselves.
I’ll bet there are a lot of musicians and artists that would love to play or demonstrate for the kids and discuss their music or art, and do a question and answer session to inspire and encourage them. I’ve done this a few times and seen it very well received. Maybe special programs or after school classes, I’m not sure how, but making creativity a priority will definitely have many positive benefits for all involved.
11. Do you think establishments like bars, clubs or other places that have live musical performances, other than a theatre of course, should have a separate area for those who really want to listen to music and those who just want to talk?
It depends on the kind of music, the kind of music group, and the venue. Bars, clubs, coffee houses are more generally of a casual almost party like atmosphere, and louder by nature. If the music is captivating, the audience will naturally quiet down somewhat to listen, but I think it would be difficult to enforce this. I’m sure purely acoustic instrumentalists want stillness and silence as a background for their music, that’s understandable. But the Concert Hall is really the place for serious listening. We on the other hand are playing electrified Jazz, Funk, and Blues, so if the crowd gets loud, we’ll just bump it up a notch, and all is well.
12, How do you feel about improvisation?
To me, improvisation is without a doubt the highest level of musicianship, and the ultimate in creative self expression. It’s the art of, on the spot, instantaneous musical composition. In that you must bring your entire lifetime of musical knowledge, experience, and instrumental skill, into the present moment, and make it a musically meaningful, relevant, personal statement. And did I mention feeling and passion, this is where, if you have any, it’s going to emerge and sometimes orgasmically explode. I have reached a point in my musical journey where I don’t really want to hear cute, coy, clever, or contrived. I just want to hear (and play) something genuine and authentic. It can even be rough, rugged, and raw, as long as it’s for real. Improvisation is what makes it real. That’s why I love Jazz, Blues, Funk, Flamenco, and Indian music. Improvisation is at the heart of all those musical styles, and that’s the element that makes the music come alive.
The soulful expression of a free spirit speaks a higher truth to me. I like to hear someone reaching down deep within themselves, and bringing out the universal subconscious voice in a unique and enchanting way. Artists like John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Ravi Shankar, and Charlie Parker, have shown us all, the way. And this is the path with heart that I follow as best I can. My trio, and the music we play, is a platform and launching pad for improvisational exploration. The music revolves around Jazz, Funk, and especially the Blues. And has been described as “Jazz with a Blues Attitude”. So to answer your question, how do I feel about improvisation, I would say most definitely, “I feel good”.
Paul, thank you for a most interesting and enlightening article. You’ve shared so much, you are a wonderful teacher! I thank you from the heart and until we work together again, be blessed! I wish you the greatest success in all your endeavours.
TO THE READER :
We hope you’ve enjoyed this amazing article and you are invited to visit Paul’s links below to hear more of his great music and learn more about him. Your comments are always appreciated! ENJOY!
http://www.myspace.com/paulmetzke
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1pZASHJl38
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Comments
Genuine and authentic! Yes, Sir! Merci beaucoup!
Enjoyed the music and video. Much valuable information in your inspiring article. Admire your thoughts and actions in sharing with children. They so need an outlet in order to create better solutions. Thank you for sharing with us and them.
.-= Cecelia Gay´s last blog ..Forever Mine =-.
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