Obon, Dance of Light (digital download)

High quality .wav file download link.

"Obon, Dance of Light" celebrates enduring life and love in the wake of profound loss. It shares the story of an Obon lantern ceremony held a year after my husband and soul mate Scott Jaeger's death. I hope it brings you comfort, hope, and inspiration to celebrate life and grieve your losses with your friends.

With special thanks to award-winning musician Peter Phippen for the Japanese shakuhachi flute solos, the harmony parts on dizi bamboo flutes, and the meditative bass part. Also, thank you to Melanie Finney for organizing the Obon, or Bon, ceremony that inspired this song, including reading "When Great Trees Fall" by Maya Angelou and playing the folk song "The Water Is Wide." (Both of these pieces have cameo appearances in the lyrics if you listen carefully.) Our conversations have supported and nurtured me along with my art. Melanie's words in particular inspired the lines, "We have loved deeply. We have grieved intensely. We have healed profoundly." Finally, thank you to j Miranda for the lovely photo—taken at the ceremony—that became the cover art for the single.

Listen to sample tracks on my Music Page.