Thursday, July 28, 2016

A Short Biography of Jesse Ahmann


Jesse Ahmann is a cellist, teacher, and composer from the United States.  He's performed as principal cellist in many symphonies, teaches as a clinician at music events, arranges music for whatever project comes his direction. 
Jesse discovered a love from improvisation shortly after high school when he was asked to "jam" with other musician friends.  Since then, he's been a part of jazz groups, folk ensembles, singer/songwriter gigs and studio recordings, bluegrass circles and much more.

"The cello is personal. It is an extension of my soul.  What I fail in words, I want to express through this instrument." -Jesse Ahmann

 

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Sacrificing your "Soulmate" over Convenience.

One lonely night I was watching the finale episode of "Master of None," an original Netflix series.  I started the series believing Aziz Ansari's character "Dev" was vain.  He constantly interrupted his friends when he received a text and he only talked about himself or gossips about others. 
Now, this hit deep.  I've been playing music a long time, have met some famous musicians and have been on the cusp of greatness as it were.  Dev, an Indian actor has the same plight. He dates a lot, works when he can, but every relationship fails in some shape or form.
I'm a millennial, I've done some great things in my life.  I enjoy people, watching our pop culture evolve, having intellectual conversations, hanging at a coffee shop and living free.
Now as I get older, I know what relationships will work and what won't.  I've tried, I've failed, I've ignored all the red flags... 
I'm ready to really care for someone, invest in someone, and fall in love.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Jesse Maw - Electric Paganini Caprice 5 Cover

My friend Jesse Maw is incredible.  Do you even know how hard this is?














Wednesday, August 28, 2013

A Theology of Difference

Let's sit down and talk and have a conversation.  Raw and honest.

My experiences vs yours... 
My knowledge vs yours... 
My sacred cows vs yours...
My delusions vs yours...



Before we make assumptions, inter-personal relationships are not built upon "versus," but upon mutual respect.  When accusations are made, personal doubt accompanied by emotion often ensues. In all truthfulness however, God is personal to many...and according to them, His image must not be questioned.  Is is their whole reality.
It's not a matter of ourselves vs a competitive ideology.

John Piper vs Rob Bell
Sam Harris vs William Lane Craig 
R.C. Sproul vs John McArthur
Leprechauns vs tooth fairies  

Heart issues, let's talk about that.  We may get caught up too much in ideology, thus causing divisiveness.  Can we meet in our fragility?  Talk about what led us to how we think, meet each other where we are at.
Personally, the false beliefs I cling to are many...if I knew what they were I'd try to change that paradigm.  So I try not make absolute statements and pin others as hateful when we question what may be deemed as "the solid rock."




Wednesday, November 7, 2012

A Cello for a Student

I have a wonderful student named Marianne.  She has never played cello in her life, now at age 75 she wants to learn the instrument.  "It'll be good for my brain!" She tells me.  I agree, what a wonderful ambition to follow.
So, she had no instrument; just pure ambition.  So I went hunting online for a suitable instrument for her that wouldn't hurt my budget.   I found an old cello with some beauty hidden under the roughness, the cello has been through hell and back, worked on by "woodshop amateurs" and probably not played in a very long time.  Judging by it's body, it looked to be a gem.  Here are some photos.


I took this instrument "as is" to my luthier Jim Guimot in Bozeman, Mt.  He took this unplayable ugly (on the outside) cello and made this absolutely stunning.  Here are the pics after he worked on it.



 Now, I am happy and have a happy student playing a beautiful cello that plays magnificently!

Friday, August 17, 2012

Contrapposto and Security


    I have always been accused of being contrary to what is considered the social norm.  Sure, boundaries must be crossed, sacred cows pushed over and paradigms shifted.  I've just grown past being contrary just for the sake of disagreement. In getting older, I see the value in finding agreements in other people. Still I see paradigms that haven't shifted, sacred cows still standing and people staying within their own boundries.  
    In relation to music, I was offered an opportunity to teach music in another community.  I applied for the job, hit a homerun in the interview but didn't follow up.  First of all, I've tired of leaving people.  I'm fresh out of a divorce and I left my many good friends in Bozeman, Mt to move to Whitefish, Mt.  Now that I've made a fresh niche in Whitefish, I cannot selfishly leave what I have going on here.  I love being a part of Fresh off the Vine, principle cellist in the Glacier Symphony and Chorale and various other ensembles.  Now is my time to expand, to promote and develop myself as a musician.

   Fighting the popular opinion is not my gig, I want to remain palatable to the general public whether it be in music or in my views of politics, religion ect.. I will stay intellectually honest with myself hoping to pursue my dreams and goals.



Thursday, March 22, 2012

Nyan Cat Cover with Sheet Music

My cover of Nyan Cat, with the sheet music included.




Right click "Save As" to save the music to your computer.