Playing to the Crowd
Get the people involved!
Doing Community with The Soapbox Presents in Harlem, NYC
There’s nothing quite like drawing people into the music-making process. As a musician, creating a genuine connection with listeners is one of the most important and rewarding parts of what I do. I’ve always held the music itself—the pure sound and its impact on the listener—in the highest regard. But the visual and performance aspects of live music are just as powerful and impossible to overlook. Performing live has always been my greatest passion. There are no redos, no second takes. It’s just you, the music, and the audience. In that high-stakes moment, when everything aligns, the unity between performer, sound, and listener becomes something rare and unforgettable.
Certain traditions and musical conventions can naturally foster that connection, but as an artist devoted to improvisation, it’s far more thrilling when those moments happen spontaneously. There’s something electric about creating in real-time, letting the energy of the room shape the performance.
I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with brilliant artists and incredible organizations that have given me the space to explore this kind of spontaneity. Here are a few clips from times when the music took an unexpected turn—and the connection with the audience became something truly extraordinary.
Shoutout to The Soapbox Presents for bringing the good people of Harlem together to “Do Community”!
The Takeaway:
Music is more than just sound—it’s the energy, emotion, and presence that bring it to life on stage.
There’s nothing better than creating something completely unexpected and feeling the audience right there with you.
The best moments happen when the line between performer and audience disappears, and we’re all in it together.
