Traveling Salesman – Seizing Life’s Dreams

Last Thursday Joe Iadanza, our canvas Open Mic host, gave me a copy of his newly released CD – Traveling Salesman. Joe has played most if not all the songs at some point during the canvas open mics. He also played a draft a couple of months ago, that was the first time we heard the songs with backing instruments and vocals. It sounded great. Now that I have the CD I hear the finished sounds - the cover is cool too!

But this post is more than Joe’s CD being released. You see over the last several months I’ve posted about canvas connections we’ve made. Joe is one of them and for me a very special one. He gladly came to our first open mic, last December, at the request of another musician and friend to canvas, Electra Jacobs. As Joe tells it, he quickly saw that me and Matt could use some help with the event, based on his experience that night he volunteered to help us.

Since that night in December Joe has delivered on his message he has helped us make our open mics what they are. During that time we’ve grown to become friends, as well as, collaborators working to make sure the night gels and everyone enjoys the experience. During this time we also got to see Joe go through recording the CD and give birth to this great musical child called Traveling Salesman.

Over the last week I’ve had a chance to listen to the CD a few times, mainly as I take my son Jake to and fro daycare. As I’ve listened to the words and music my mind continually drifts to my dad.

In his time my dad was an acclaimed musician, he was also a complex person. The timing of receiving the CD from Joe last week also spurred thoughts, I guess, because my dad’s birthday was Aug 26.

I remember my dad telling me that at some point he had to make a choice in his life; continue on the road (literally), trying to reach the next level or settling down. He chose the latter – settling down. I’m happy he made the choice or I wouldn’t be who I am today. He became a music teacher and tried to keep in touch with his first love bebop jazz through “rehearsals” with his friends. Sadly I only got to see him play publicly a few times and was too young to appreciate where he was musically.

In my dad’s time that wasn’t the way it worked – serious family men didn’t balance their life loves, they “did what they had too.” What a shame! Thinking back now I can see they difference it would have made for him. I loved my dad and think he would have been a little less complex had he been allowed to strike that balance.

Watching Joe’s commitment to his family, while balancing the importance of his music, makes me happy. I’m glad Joe has entered my life to share his life loves. Congratulations to Joe on the release of his CD and for committing to find a way to balance the act of being a great husband, father and musician.

Tom Pellicane – Publisher, canvas Magazine