Singing with heart

Ventura, 2021

For a few weeks this summer, I have been lucky to spend time walking in stunning locations, indulging my need for dry sunshine, disconnecting from the internet, and also, to hear some splendid live music. I feel in every cell of my sun-warmed body how fortunate I am, and have been grateful for every moment.

The story of one particular musical evening this trip started back in 2021. That summer we were house sitting in Ventura, a southern California beach town, just a block from the beach. Yes, I know, we are absurdly blessed.

It was early July 2021, and people were tentatively starting to socialise again. One evening we went out to one of the many local micro-breweries that produce good quality beers; many provide food too, or arrange for a food truck or two to park next door. We sat outside and listened to the live music brought in to tempt people to stop and stay for awhile. The main musician was quite entertaining, but we were mesmerised by his young guitar accompanist.

The young guitarist was introduced as Jayden Secor. After the show, we let him know how impressed we were with his skills, and I followed him on Instagram (as you do). Over subsequent years, we tried to see him perform whenever we went to Ventura & Santa Barbara, usually once or twice a year, but we kept missing his shows.

I contacted him a couple of times to check his schedule, and he always very kindly responded and let me know when and where he would be. I’ve ‘followed’ him since he graduated high school and went on to College, seen photos of his tours to Nashville, the places he’s played, heard the new music he has written, and his graduation from college.

Last year finally, we got to see him play again, twice. The first night was a rollicking set with his ‘boys’ as he calls them, who accompany him on base and drums, as well as vocals. They played loud country-inspired songs that appealed to the young Saturday evening crowd in downtown Santa Barbara. There was some dancing, singing along and lots of toe-tapping.

Before he started playing, while he was setting up, we introduced ourselves and he welcomed us politely, thanking us for coming to see him.

For the next couple of hours, the band banged out tune after tune, stringing riffs along fast and skillfully. We were mightily impressed at the skill level this young man had achieved since the first time we’d seen him. His drummer and base player are equally talented and the three clearly have so much fun playing together.

The next day, Sunday afternoon, Jayden was playing an acoustic set at one of the many wine bars in downtown Santa Barbara: just him and his acoustic guitar. Who wouldn’t want to spend a sunny afternoon listening to guitar tunes whilst sampling local organically grown & produced wines? I know, right?

We settled in, letting the singer and guitar player we had been waiting so long to hear again wave his magic over us. We mouthed the words quietly along when we knew the song, and tapped our toes and fingers along.

After the first set, he came by our table and very kindly spent much of his well-earned break chatting with us. We learned more about him and his life as a musician. We loved hearing him share his hopes and plans for the future. He is so full of optimism and excitement, tempered of course with the realism that it may not work forever to be a full-time musician. But for now, he is giving it his all and working hard to make that dream come true.

Over the last year I’ve continued to follow him from afar, hearing him play his new songs and other music live on various radio stations, touring and slowly building up a following and praise from those who hear his music.

So it was with great delight that a few weeks ago, we were able to see Jayden and his band perform at yet another wine bar in Santa Barbara. It was a Friday night, the balmy summer warm temperatures enabled us to stay outside all evening whilst enjoying the band. We said hello before they started, and the kind group that they are, said they remembered us and greeted us warmly. We were impressed!

With our friends, we settled in with drinks and pizza and what a treat! In the year since we had seen them last, the band has come on leaps and bounds in their professionalism and range of musicianship. They have paid attention to their audience ages well, playing a mix of covers that ranged over the decades, including something that everyone in the diverse audience could hum, sing and/or dance along. Of course this is all mixed in with an increasing number of Jayden’s original songs that showcase his vocal and guitar skills.

At their break we had another chat with Jayden and his band, letting them know how much we enjoyed the music, their camaraderie, and how much improvement we had observed. They, the professionals that they are, were delighted to hear that we noticed the hard work, and also expressed their thanks for coming all this way to see them again.

Us and the fabulous Jayden Secor (photo by Stephanie Moret)

Right now, in the midst of our chaotic world, we need and appreciate the delight that artists provide. I feel very lucky to have met and been able to get to know a little bit about this wonderful young musician. I am impressed with his hard work to reach certain goals he has set for himself, and yet he still carries the positive excitement of what’s to come.

Maybe that is part of what I enjoy when I hear Jayden talk about his music: remembering that sense of the world spread out ahead of you, with time to try so many things. That sense of adventure-to-come without all the weight that accumulates over time, often tempering our enthusiasm. Hearing Jayden and his band sing their hearts out brings me that joyful spirit once again. Thank you so much Jayden, for bringing good vibes into our world, one song at a time. 🎸 🎶

Jayden coasters

If you want to know more (and hear some of his music), check out his website here: https://jaydensecormusic.com/home.

Thanks for reading along this week! Do you have favourite musicians that you like to go hear and follow their journeys? What other kinds of artists inspire you and bring you giddy enthusiasm?

Until next week,

xo Sabrina

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