Last night Row and I went to the opening of Jazz:Now 06 at The Studio (Sydney Opera House). It was a fantastic night out and we think it was a pretty sweet gift... so thanks Rachael. The line up for the night was the "Aron Ottignon Trio" and "Katie Noonan / Elixir Vitae".

I'm a huge fan of Elixir and Katie Noonan (I've seen george play live 3 times). Their set was very impressive. Her husband (Isaac Hurren) played sax and Steve Magnusson was a master on guitar. His diction was reminiscent of Jeff Buckley on Grace. Katie's lyrics, as always, were mesmerising. Most of the songs were Australian poems put to music. They even had a stab at Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.

I'd never heard Aron Ottignon play before, but he is a genius! He is very much part of the avant-garde when it comes to Jazz Piano. You can check out some of the gear he plays with another project called Aronas here and here (they are playing at the Opera House this Friday night).

One of the things that impressed me with both sets was watching the way the musicians communicate on stage. The double bass player in the Aron Ottignon Trio, Cameron Undy (who looked like a cross between Oliver Kahn and Travis McMahon with a funny last name), was particular good at communicating with Aron on piano and Felix Bloxsom on drums.

Good Jazz needs good communcation.

I've been thinking today about the need to be a good communicator. I think that I'm an effective communicator when it comes to teaching (bible talk, bible study, scripture class etc...) but not as effective in other areas. I'm getting better at communicating with Row (though have a long way to go!). But there are areas that I need to be a much better communicator so that I can make better Jazz! Here's a few that come to mind:

• Staff at church
• Other key leaders at church
• Those I lead in ministry teams
• Youth group parents
• My family

Communication, as shown by the Jazz musos, involves more than just words.

I want to be a good communicator so that I'm living a godly life and also better able to communicate the glorious news of Jesus.

What are you like at communicating? Where do you need to improve? Who are your favourite Jazz musicians?