• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • SHOP
    • Upcoming Release Gallery Photos
    • Free Classes/Workshops on Teachable
    • Special Offers on New Releases!
    • Why Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns are Expensive
  • BLOG
  • LEARNING
    • Free Classes/Workshops on Teachable
    • What Is An Action Chart?
    • Menu of Techniques
    • Techniques Library : What’s In There?
    • Abbreviations
    • Sizing Tables / Charts / Guidelines & Croquis
    • Pattern Difficulty Levels / Type of Knitting
    • Why Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns are Expensive
    • Inside a Jill Wolcott Knits Pattern
    • How-To Videos: Learn from Jill
      • Why I Love . . . Techniques
    • Jill Wolcott Knits: A Fit Background
    • 2021-2022 Workshops With Jill Wolcott Knits
    • Overview of ASOG – A System of Grading
  • ABOUT
    • Designer’s Story
    • Calendar Events Schedule
    • Inside Scoop Subscribe & Newsletter Archives
    • Fundraising Projects
    • Jill Wolcott Knits
      • Jill Wolcott curriculum vitae
    • Techniques Library : What’s In There?
    • Abbreviations
    • Errata
    • Privacy Notice for Jill Wolcott Knits
  • CONTACT
  • My Account
  • Press

Jill Wolcott Knits logo

January 24, 2014

I’m going to talk

BF at BSLast night was the first night of Bill-Fest Three for us (four nights at SFJazz). Bill is Bill Frisell. I became acquainted with Bill in about 1994 and spend a part of almost every day with him. He is a prolific and unusual jazz guitarist, who makes my life better. He has been a resident artistic director (which basically means he has the opportunity to do some cool stuff that interests him that result in concerts for the rest of us).

Bill got a so-so review in the NY Times for a recent concert. The basis of the review seemed to be that he didn’t explain what he was doing or trying to say, and that he didn’t lead his fellow musicians enough–that he let them each go their own way within the music.

Bill is extremely shy. I’ve seen him do a Q&A and he just isn’t skilled at articulating in a way his audience might want. So when he finally got up after the first 25 minute piece he made a short statement about the music, and asked if we wanted him to talk more, then said “I’m going to talk more, . . . but not now.”  His musical skill is such that, although I would really like knowing more, not knowing has never interfered with my enjoyment and discovery when listening to his music.  And given the territory he has covered, it is understandable he might not have had time to put it into words.Quintet

One of the things I love about concerts is the time it gives me to ruminate.  This isn’t something that I have a lot of time for, so it allows me to puzzle through design problems, or just look at things more carefully.  And I always get a little swatching done before the performance and during any intermission (love concerts without an intermission–just give me the good stuff and let me go home)!  I got to start swatching a not-yet-released yarn which is always thrilling.

About an hour into the concert the power went out.  Emergency lights come on, but understandably this threw the musicians for a bit of a loop.  The SFJazz folks conferred and the musicians left the stage, but returned shortly, with Bill carrying an acoustic guitar.  The concert went on.  It was amazing.  It was like sitting in on a more private session.  The acoustics are great in the venue, and although not the same as a mic-ed concert, they managed to do almost another hour of music.  They did a version of “In my Room” by the Beach Boys that was just jaw dropping.  Can’t wait for tonight!  I’ll let you know if he talks.

But the whole point of this post is to say that it is difficult to talk about my work.  It rattles around in my head all the time, but I don’t always have time to think about how to talk about it or even know what anyone else wants to know.  Concerts help because they give me some time.  Although not extremely shy, I don’t think I ever learned to “toot my own horn” and in fact, was discouraged from doing so.

Related Posts

  • Knitting: Are We Done (There) Yet?
    Knitting: Are We Done (There) Yet?
  • False Starts, Good Starts, Startitis, and No Starts
    False Starts, Good Starts, Startitis, and No Starts
  • Days slide away
    Days slide away

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: bill frisell, knitting, swatching, talk

Primary Sidebar

Jill’s Story

Teacher, Designer, with expertise to lead you where you want to go as a knitter/designer. Read More…

Blog Archive

Don’t Miss these Techniques!

drawing of how a button link is put together. design, writing, technique

Button Links

most of the shelves on the yarn wall

Color Play in Yarn

Photo of Jill's Rowena Iron and her Reliable Steamer Iron

Steam Block

lovely hand-wound center pull ball in Fingering 101, yarn, yarn ball, center-pull, technique

Hand Wound Center-Pull Ball

Popular in the Shop

  • Smallest Number of Stitches to Cast On A Moebius Suggested price: $3.00
  • Tulle Collar on dress form with taupe side out, a view of tope and bottom Latvian braid, and 3 vintage button links. Tulle Collar $12.00
  • Half-size dress form wearing dk version in pink and purple from Oink Pigments Clapham Trio: Junction, Road, & Common $20.00
  • ASOG 2023 Deposit-in-Full: Gou Pei Dress ASOG 2023 Registration Deposit-in-Full $100.00
  • ASOG 2023 Deposit-in-Payment: Gou Pei Dress with wings ASOG 2023 Registration Deposit-in-Payments $100.00 / 7 days

Stay Updated

Footer

About Jill

Teacher, Designer, with expertise to lead you where you want to go as a knitter/designer.

Pattern Availability

If you live outside of the US and Canada you can now purchase Jill Wolcott Knits PDF patterns directly through Payhip.

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Ravelry

© 2023 Jill Wolcott Knits