Vinx on Tour

I've written before about Vinx, an absolutely amazing musician and singer I've been fortunate enough to meet and interact with over the years. From the front page of his webpage comes another testimony to the magic of his live show:

What Vinx Did for Me
By Shawnn K. Shears
July 22, 2006

I saw Vinx last night, felt his sweat and the weight of his arm on my back. I listened to his every word, every inflection uttered on stage and heard sounds that freed me from earthly bonds.

For any who do not know his music, take heart. Your life is about to improve. Perhaps you have never heard creativity so beautifully arranged, or imagined that the human voice could be bass, saxophone and trumpet in the same mouth. Listen and receive the gift...

A relaxed Vinx took the stage simply, appearing to be a man walking with a log between his legs. As he took the mike, he adjusted the drum and began to record layers of harmony after confessing with a grin that he had no idea what he was about to do. All praise the power of spontaneous creation fueled by the love of an audience.

In an evening of soulful entertainment, the spoken word artists and jazz musicians jammed sublimely before Vinx closed out the performance with a requested rendition of Porch Light that conjured my decade-long deceased father's spirit to once again bathe me in a loving embrace. Tell me, he wasn't there. Don't even try.

Framed with performances by poet/attorney Wadud, and songwriter/singer Maritri, the event was church for people of a certain ilk. All who attended walked away fed, restored for the journey that is life.

I can instantly recognize the feeling. That's exactly how you feel when you leave a Vinx show, like your soul has been fed and restored. He's on tour right now (see dates here), and if he's coming anywhere within a day's drive for you, I strongly urge you to make an effort to see him. He's going to be in Grand Rapids on September 12th and I can't wait to experience it again. He'll be in Ann Arbor on the 9th of that month. Anyone there should definitely go. He's in New York this weekend, Atlanta the weekend after that, then Louisville, Chicago, Michigan, Toronto and Philadelphia. I promise you that if you go, you will find the experience as magical as I do. Oh, and check out his myspace page, which has musical clips and information.