Announcing the Launch of the New Website

We are very happy to announce the launch of www.universalroom.com.   The response has been incredibly positive, and we hope it is a central source for expanding the creation of Universal Rooms everywhere.

How to Apply the Experience

Is this just a music experience?   It is certainly the main component, but its the applications of the Universal Room that I find just as exciting.   We can see everywhere in life around us, the growing attraction of tribalism, or balkanization.   Individuals are grouping into cliques of religion, sports, politics, even the kind of cell phone you use.  Politics is at a fever pitch, and the sense of a broader American community seems to be disintegrating.   A lot of people talk about a global community, but really, the love ain't being felt on a global scale.   Its becoming more separate by the moment.

I would like to start locally.   Setting up Universal Rooms in the Y, or religious center.   For the adventuresome spirit, setting it up in a town hall, right before a meeting.   Communicate with music, as a model for communicating in your native language about topics of disagreement.   I find the most heated discussions are based on one side not being 'heard'   It is incredibly frustrating to speak and make a point, only to realize that the response was pre planned, and didn't consider what was just stated.   And, that is a result of our lacking in the skill of real listening.   Real listening is easy with music.   Its a statement, but melodically, not politically or religiously.   One can hear and respond.  

Can we apply that to our daily lives?   I believe so.

Setting up a Universal Room

I just started a new YouTube site, and will begin recording soon.   This new project is part of the educational initiative to explain how to set up a Universal Room anywhere.  Frankly, its quite easy, simple, and fun.

There is only a minimum of 2 people.   I find that 4 people is the real minimum to be creative and experience the full group communication.   A facilitator reviews melody, call, response, and conclusion.  You can start in smaller pairs, and then move into the larger group.  When the group leader drops his/her hand, then all communication is in music until the end of the session.    One person should be assigned the drum leader.   This person will keep the group out of time, until that very particular moment, when the beat is about to establish itself, the drum leader will go into time.   It is just an intuition.  That time when the music and communication lock in together.

Then, the communication moves into song, but never into performance or repetition.  It always communication, not trance, or repeating patterns, but new, and fresh ideas being exchanged.  

It is exciting to start the video presentations, as I feel they will be more accurate in conveying this information.  Coming soon.....

A giant leap for Universal Language

A friend sent me this link yesterday.   Incredible.   This developer has made a great breakthrough for Universal Language.   It is so simple, global, and powerful.

Very exciting news, you can view the video here.

Jose Faur's revolutionary work on Hebrew Mysticism

From my own background in Judaism, and Torah studies, the new interest in Jazz and Kabbalah is very exciting.

I wanted to link the book that really started it all for me, that is Jose Faur's "Homo Mysticus"   A short blog summary simply would not do this masterpiece any justice.   It must be read front to cover, no short cuts.

All of Faur's books are profound and enlightening.    This is the one that kicked it off for me, take a look here.

Rabbi Adam Jacob's great post on Jazz and Kabbalah

A friend sent me a fascinating article from Rabbi Adam Jacobs at Aish HaTorah.   This post is entitled "Kabbalah and Jazz:  The Mystical Foundation of Improvisational Music"  I really enjoyed his discussion of individuality, music as the building block of the universe, and the connection to the Jewish mystical tradition.   You can view it here.

Ike Sturm's Jazz Mass

Just caught up with bassist Ike Sturm.   He leads a very unique Jazz project at St. Peter's Church in Manhattan.   Take a look here

I met Ike several times in the city.   He is a very creative, sincere musician and I am so happy to see that he has a CD release entitled - Jazz Mass.  

Here is a brief summary of his latest project.


"Composed and arranged by Ike Sturm, this work for voices, strings and jazz ensemble merges diverse musical languages into a powerfully unified aesthetic. Soaring melodies, dynamic rhythms and improvisations creatively portray the sacred text.

Soloists include Misty Ann Sturm, Loren Stillman, Ingrid Jensen, Ryan Ferreira, Adam Benjamin, Ike Sturm, Ted Poor and Grammy-nominated soloist Donny McCaslin.

The band will be traveling internationally to schools and churches, working with local choirs and orchestras and exploring the idea of community in music, culture and faith."