Brad Shepik: Human Activity: Dream of the Possible

All About Jazz is not an academic journal, but once in a while, a little academic insight may not hurt. Two psychologists from McGill University have published an interesting piece in Impact: The Journal of the Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning produced by the College of General Studies at Boston University. In "Waking Up to No Sound: Music Psychology and Climate Action," Lindsey Fleming and Daniel Levitin write:

"Music is a cultural universal and for centuries has been used to bind people together, change their minds, and promote participation in group enterprises for social change Incorporating music psychology principles into climate action campaigns, educational programs, and community engagement initiatives can tap into the emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of human behavior, fostering a deeper connection to environmental concerns and inspiring positive changes for a more sustainable future.

"Climate change represents the most serious threat to survival in all human history. It is already responsible for more heat waves, extreme weather, the spread of disease, increasing pollution, and reduced productivity. In addition to direct effects like storms, floods, and fires, we are facing indirect effects including decreased crop yields, overwhelmed water systems, hospital shutdowns, loss of homes, and increased mental health problems. Climate scientists unanimously and unequivocally agree: the increase of CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere over the industrial era is the result of human activities."

Fleming and Levitin then go on to consider the various ways in which music has, can and will be used to promote various forms of social action—and action on climate change in one of them. Brad Shepik's Dream of the Possible is what Shepik calls "a ten-movement meditation on the climate challenges we face." The movements of the peace each address different aspects of the climate crisis.

How exactly each of the ten movements does this is clearly a matter of some introspection. Shepik is no dilettante. As a guitarist, he has recorded eight previous albums, and performed with Dave Douglas, Carla Bley, Bob Brookmeyer and Charlie Haden. The music itself really seems to assimilate a variety of influences, anything from Turkish to post-bop. It may be abstract, but it is never dull and certainly not sanctimonious. The uses to which it could be put are limited only by a listener's imagination. Given the havoc that Hurricane Helene has just raised in the Southeastern United States (in September 2024), the music is relevant, timely and merits a wide audience. It is also a good listen, and good music of any kind is always worth hearing. Anyone who searches "music and climate change" is apt to be surprised by the variety of material that is already available, and to which Shepik has contributed importantly.

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