My Daddy: My Music Twin

Daddy you were not just my father, you were my musical twin, my buddy and my friend. Music, was one of my favorite ways that we spoke and communicated. It was like our second language that no one else understood but us. Besides us talking on the phone everyday reminiscing about life, growing up Flint, Grandma’s amazing cooking, something that I always enjoyed and looked forward to was our FaceTime conversations. Especially, when soon as I would pick up the phone, you were practicing along to one of your favorite Marcus Miller songs. You were such an incredible bass player. You would sometimes say “Kina yes I am good, but I’m not great”. It was in those moments I would have to remind you of just how great you were. That would encourage you for sure. You would always tell me thank you so much.

As I am sitting here writing this, I am thinking back to the story you shared with me on how you first started playing the bass when you were a teenager. Bootsy Collins was one the musicians that was very instrumental during that time and he was a huge inspiration for you. You got your first bass, you started practicing everyday and after feeling confident enough, you entered this contest at a club. Not only did you do amazing, you won. You were like, “I blew the roof off that place and they loved me man”. Soon after, buzz started circulating around Flint about you being one of the baddest and coldest dudes on that instrument. Yes you were for sure.

Also, I remember a few months ago you telling me the story about how you met Nile Rogers who had the opportunity to hear the music you created and he loved it. He was so impressed. These different heavy hitters in the industry were interested in working with you because you were that talented. You were that dude. Period!! Just thinking and reflecting back to the time when you attended the Marcus Miller concert, I was a little girl at the time. One of your favorite albums by him “The Sun Don’t Lie”, was just recently released. You shared with me how incredible the concert was and how he was going to let you come onstage and play with him, but there was only so much time in the show. This is just a testament to how amazing you really were. You told me that you did get a chance to meet him after the show. I remember you saying he was so cool and down to earth and how you told him that not only were you a huge fan of his music but that your kid listen to his music and was a huge fan too!!

He was so amazed because he didn’t know of any children listening to his music. Then for me to see him years later in concert, have the opportunity to meet him and take a photo with him and then out of the kindness of his heart, he records a video message for you. You know what made this moment even more special is that he spoke to you on FaceTime. That was such a full circle moment that we always shared and talked about. I am going to miss hearing your voice. I am going to miss calling you on the phone, FaceTiming you, hearing you play your bass, us talking for hours about life, childhood memories, music and how it changed so much. Sharing memories from when I was a little girl riding in the car with you blasting WJZZ who played the best jazz music back in the day. I am going to miss asking you about your gigs and you lighting up like a happy kid with excitement talking about it.

You inspired me to step my game up with my instrument and you encouraged  me so much. As a matter fact I miss you so much and would give anything to have you back. I want to hear your voice again. I want to give you the biggest hug. Thank you for not only sharing your passion, gift and love for music with me, but for passing it down to me and imparting that into me, for exposing me to the best music and making it apart my life. Music is apart of my life, always has been and will be thanks to you. I am going to continue to keep your musical legacy alive. I am going to make you proud. I know you are watching over me now, my musical twin, music buddy, the baddest and best bass player. I love you very much Daddy.