"There is no such thing as bad music. Just bad musicians."
--Ornette Coleman

Musicians do not "create" music. The music is innocent. In fact, the music just "IS"--a powerful invisible force like the atmosphere that surrounds the earth. Therefore, it is the musician's will or intent that organizes the sound in a particular fashion (pleasant or not) for the listener. The more a musician manipulates the sounds with their will/intent the more the music is "their creation."

Moreover, like water (or the atmosphere), there is a finite amount of music here on earth. "There ain't nothin' new under the sun". All musicians work with the same finite musical materials but everyone's heart beats slightly differently ergo each musician's intent in organizing sound is "unique."

"If we have a limited mind, we'll play limited music."
--Sun Ra

The intent of practice is to make the physical operation of sound production seem "natural." The goal is to get beyond the often-difficult physical operation(s) of sound production and into a deeper realm of consciousness/communication. The "creative" musician is always reaching for the utmost level of transcendence.

Musicians involved in "creative music" want to liberate themselves from their usual "practice" of repeated conditioned musical responses. The "creative" musician is trying to discover another dimension of the universe (innovation), in order to make every personal musical expression "original."

"There's nothing "free" about any of this..."
--Cecil Taylor

The "free" in "free improvisation" or "free jazz" does not imply "free from everything/anything" or "a freedom to do whatever you want," rather, free improvisation declares independence from traditional musical tonal language. The "free improvising musicians" are "free" to establish their own rules. Free Improvisation emphasizes the use of new and different musical parameters relating to space, melody, rhythm, timbre, form, and harmony.

Free improvisation, or playing in the moment, involves inspiration, spontaneity and most importantly, deep "active" listening. This "creative" music requires independence, fearlessness, and the presence of critical reason. Practice (or preparation), planning, and construction of the musical language and structures are the sole responsibility of the "free improvising musician." Deep active listening means relinquishing one's ego and selfishness, being receptive, generous, and loving. One must become " an empty vessel available for the creative spirit to dwell." "The music plays YOU."

"Think. It ain't illegal yet!"
--George Clinton

Art expresses aspects of life that speech cannot. Like speech, music involves aural transmission. Music can communicate all facets of the human existence in many different ways. Humans are social animals and many want to feel "a sense of belonging." The most effective way to convey this is to use tools and practices that the largest segment of society finds acceptable -- thus "popular culture/music." Creative music expresses the individuality of the musician and therefore communicates with the receptive listener on a very intimate level. Creative music yearns to reach all members of society to recognize, share, and accept their differences.

The music brought forth at the harmonic Baltimore festival will stimulate the audience to think for themselves. This festival provides a platform to artists who have intense and sincere voices. It is my belief that if one exposes themselves to enough (diverse) voices, there will eventually be some that say what one needs to hear.

--F. Vattel Cherry 06/09/02

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"Creative music is an art form generally unsupported by corporate resources. The talented musicians who play this music usually do so with their primary focus on the music and without regard to their personal comfort (as venues are often substandard) or their financial success. Harmonic Baltimore is one of those rare occasions where the music can be enjoyed, outside of a smoke filled den, presented to a knowledgeable college/community audience, and where the artists can be rewarded for perfecting their craft.

The creative music you will experience at Harmonic Baltimore has a rich tradition. Historically, it is an art form which flourishes amid political oppression, poverty and other negative social conditions. It's beauty lies in experimentation with unusual sounds, risk taking and improvisation by it's (often classically trained) musicians, and most importantly its being a viable artistic alternative to those expendable musics produced for mass consumption."

-- Guy Fraser - Co-MC of harmonicBaltimore and
WEAA-FM radio personality