It’s just like starting over… by Evan Jacobson, August 16, 2010
Mastery takes a lifetime. It requires grit, focus, positivity, venturing into undiscovered territory, and constant painful struggles. I just read an article about the legendary RUSH drummer, Neil Peart–one of the major drumming influences since my teens. I emulated every pattern on several recordings. There were many hours of grit and frustration, but I made strides. Thanks to Peart, Gadd, Copeland, Bozzio, et al, my mind opened up like a parachute. After High School, I branched out even more. I was blessed in 1987: Attended The Michel Camilo Trio with Anthony Jackson on Bass (or Bass Guitar), Michel on Piano, and Dave Weckl–the drummer who melted my brain. That show took place at the defunct Mikell’s (97th and Columbus in NYC) and it changed my life forever. The term “mastery” took on an entirely new meaning. I met the late and legendary Michael Brecker at Mikell’s (sic) during the week of February 23, 1987:
I attended the College of Staten Island from 1886–1988. Then I transferred to SUNY Oswego College for Communications and Music; I graduated in 1990. In 1993, I attended Radford University to attain another higher level of musical mastery. I paid my dues by working in various musical groups, teaching 40+ students per week, and also worked nights and weekends at RadioShack. I was a busy bee, but I put the time for improvement. My level of musicianship improved as I graduated from Radford in 1995. Then, I moved to Seattle in 2000 and attained a second Master’s Degree in Teaching English (2003). Then, I relocated to NYC to begin my teaching career. It is currently 2010 and I recently finished my 7th year of teaching. I was comfortable and felt a sense of mastery. However, I resigned from the NYC Department of Education in 2010 to support my wife in a move to Maryland. Even though I achieved a great level of mastery, it was time to “start over.”
As I began discussing great drummers and academic achievements, I continued a cycle of working towards mastery and STARING OVER. Both Peart and Weckl decided to reevaluate technique (Chops and drum set facility) after many years of high-level mastery. Both men studied with the legendary Freddie Gruber several years later–a great drummer and teacher who befriended Buddy Rich—arguably, Buddy was one of the greatest drummers on planet Earth. It’s refreshing to know that the 2 aforementioned masters wanted to reach a higher plateau. I didn’t think they were human…
In short, achieving mastery does not stop until inevitable death—it is a choice to grow, become complacent, get rigid, stop learning, or keep on going because we enjoy the challenge and/or never become satisfied with one’s present abilities. After all, working hard should lead to mastery, yet we have a right to be comfortable to validate the struggle of hard work. We feel entitled to relax, take a break, make more money, feel grounded, and then milk our present mastery (in education it’s called ‘ceiling level’) for as long as possible. So, why rock the boat and tip the boat over?
It was an easy decision for my wife to uproot our living situation in 2010, whereas my comfort zone was obliterated. Musically speaking, I was working with Jeff and Pete in Antagonist & Premonition. We recorded 40 diverse tracks. For example, I played 16th note triplets with my feet for one metal song, blast beats, 16th note linear funk grooves, etc. Do I have to start over AGAIN? YES! In the meantime, check out this mp3, “The Witch,” written by Jeff Francesconi on Guitar (RIP, DIO), vocals, lyrics, & sound effects. Pete Pineyro played guitar, bass, & vocals (he looks thrilled). My drumming was influenced by Neil Peart, Bonzo, and somebody else…Try to ignore the forehead glare and shiny teeth…
In addition to drumming, I was also producing as well. For example, I recorded a 3-song demo for Scottish Windows–KISS tribute. I did some great work with the progressive sound of “DRIFT” despite the fact that it ended harshly. There was a great deal of growth from 2003-2010, but it ended. Why do I torture myself when some things are a means to an end? The answer: I need to improve until my time on Earth ends!
Let’s not forget 7 years of NYC teaching mastery: 5 years on the Lower East Side and 2 years in Hunts Point–The Bronx. The former converted me from a novice to a master educator. My students had passion and they taught me a new level of respect. The latter 2 years was the icing on the cake. I didn’t just teach English to more great students, but I also put together a student-driven Rock Band, an after school drumming club, and performed with the world’s greatest Principal, Dr. Hughes (his band Johnny Seven is on Facebook and iTunes). To make it even harder, my Principal announced the following at our last staff meeting: “…Does Evan choose the beautiful and awesome Hunts Point Middle School, OR does he choose his wife?” Ba da bing! Then, most of the staff wished me well and Dr. Hughes presented me with an Elvis Alarm Clock and a hug. Emotional is an understatement. I had to resign from a comfortably tenured NYC teaching position and spend the most humid summer packing up my house to make the move to Maryland. You guessed it: Time to start over…
This is Dr. John Hughes, the best principal ever. Catch his band, Johnny 7 in the Bronx…
Evan arrived in Maryland during 2010… I no longer live in a 3-bedroom house with 4 floors; it’s a 1-bedroom apartment. I didn’t land a full-time teaching position; I became a substitute for MCPS. The prior New Jersey house was more than just a tangible piece of property–it symbolized musical mastery, my growth as an educator, a profound understanding of home ownership, and an improvement in cooking skills–something I value deeply as much as music. Marla and I are currently looking for a house…
However, starting over might not necessarily be a bad thing. I can keep adding more skills as long as I maintain that driving passion. Teaching is a dynamic profession. God only knows what will happen to the music industry. Technology changes every 5 seconds. This move will also force me to find creative ways to keep in touch with people—relationships are always highly valued. I am about 4 hours from NYC via car, bus, or Amtrak. It takes 2 hours by plane to get to Florida. In contrast, Seattle was a 6-hour plane ride from the East Coast. My family and friends are dispersed throughout the US, and I will find creative ways to reach out.
To wrap up, your level of mastery and complacency will ALWAYS be challenged; you might have to make several drastic moves, juggle your career, cater to your family, maintain reasonably great health, and adapt to multiple X-factors, etc. All of us venture into these aforementioned emotional roller coasters. It’s not a cakewalk by any stretch, and you’ll need a support system–people and some great books… Once you have all of that in place, you’ll need to start over.
Best wishes on your enigmatically exciting journey,
Evan Jacobson