Welcome to the first edition of Tuesday Tune-Up! In this weekly Tuesday segment, launching today, posted every Tuesday, I will feature a short meditation along with a song (or two). Tuesday Tune-Up is intended to be a short bit of Jazz Therapy, to soothe your soul as the week gets going.
Today, we will be talking about the Mexican holiday Día De Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. Beginning on November 1, 2022, and ending on November 2, 2022, Día De Los Muertos has its origins in Aztec and Nahua culture and goes back around 3,000 years. “The Aztecs and other Nahua people living in what is now central Mexico held a cyclical view of the universe, and saw death as an integral, ever-present part of life” (https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/day-of-the-dead). In Nahua culture, when someone died, it was believed that the person’s soul had to make a journey before ultimately reaching their finally resting place. On the website “The Daily Chela,” writer Roberto Camacho explains the origins of Día De Los Muertos, explaining that the Nahua would often leave food, drinks and other objects to aid their deceased loved ones in making this journey. Over time, Chela writes, “religious syncretism, the incorporation of different religious traditions, beliefs, and customs from unrelated culture.” In colonial Mexico, the traditions of the Aztecs and Nahuas intertwined with the tradition of the Spaniards, who brought the Catholic tradition of All Saint’s or All Soul’s Day, celebrated on November 1st. All Saint’s or All Soul’s Day is a Catholic holiday honoring the deceased, and historically is a more somber way of honoring the deceased. Día De Los Muertos is a celebration of the deceased.
In contemporary Mexico, the U.S., Día De Los Muertos is celebrated by the creation of ofrendas, or altars, in which the living place photographs, pictures and beautiful marigold flowers of their loved ones. They also add food, such as pan de los Muertos, and other objects personal to their departed loved ones. On Día De Los Muertos, it is believed that the departed souls will return for a brief, period of time, “so the souls will hear the prayers and the words of the living directed to them” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead). Other symbols representing the holiday are calacas, skeletons and calaveras, sugar skulls. In addition, people also celebrate “…in cemeteries where families have picnics, play music, and even spend the night to remember and celebrate the lives of their loved ones (https://www.dailychela.com/dia-de-los-muertos-history/).
Today, Día de Los Muertos, remains as markers to help us remember our loved ones who have passed on. In honor of our departed loved ones today, we will do a short meditation offering gratitude and love to our dear ones who have passed.
Meditation Honoring Día De Los Muertos
Jazz Therapy Playlist-Tuesday Tunes
In honor of Día De Los Muertos, I have two songs for you today. Of “The 7 Categories of Jazz,” these songs would fall into the category of Emotional Reverie, which is about listening to music to remember, daydream, or get into a dreamy state. Today we have two varieties of the same song, one featuring vocals and one instrumental.
Emotional Reverie (When you want to remember or daydream)
“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” Sarah Vaughan, “Swingin’ Easy,” Sarah Vaughan and Her Trio.
This song is about how even though we might not be with our loved one anymore, their memory is indelible, always inside our hearts. It is a beautiful reminder of what that when we really love someone, we never stop. Sarah Vaughan’s voice is beautiful, regal, and soothing. Let her sound wash over you.
“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” Ahmad Jamal, The Legendary OKeh and Epic ecordings.
This album by Ahmad Jamal, recorded between 1951 and 1955, is practically perfect. His version of this song is ebullient, vibrant, and elegant.
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