Joyce Cooling - We CAN Make A Difference

Smooth Jazz guitarist Joyce Cooling was in Orlando the weekend of May 3 with the cooperation of WLOQ-FM, Land Rover of Orlando, Mall at Millenia, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Greater Orlando(NAMIGO).

The weekend kicked off with a free concert at the Mall at Millenia on Friday evening. The Groove Masters opened the show and after a minor change of equipment, Cooling and her band took the stage.

I stood close by as Cooling was interviewed for a television program that will be aired on Backstage Pass. I listened intently to her speak softly, yet with great strength, about the issues the mentally ill and their families confront. Of great concern to her is the stigma these members of our community are trapped with. Pointing out that many of the homeless are mentally ill, her heart bled with compassion as she asked that we learn and try to understand the plight.

I felt the need to speak with Cooling before the performance. Having worked with the homeless first hand, I was comforted knowing that she understood. I was quickly taken by her pleasant manner and wanted to learn more about the NAMIGO walk that was taking place the next day. I felt like I was called upon to do what I could to join the cause.

She is strong and determined. And, she is willing to stand up and speak for those who are unable to do so themselves. In just a short time, I felt like I had known her for years.

Cooling was already an accomplished musician and songwriter who moved from her home state of New York to San Francisco in the 1980's. Originally playing keyboards and percussion, Cooling said that "everything crystallized when I heard Wes Montgomery's solo on "If You Could See Me Now." From then on, it was as if guitar had chosen me."

It was in San Francisco that Cooling met Jay Wagner, a keyboardist who was working with the Brazilian circuit there. After teaming up, they now write and perform together, each sharing their own styles and blending them into the final composition.

The guitars Cooling uses are as unique as the artist. At the Millenia event, she chose a custom- made guitar that was made by Rich Hoeg in San Francisco.

Cooling also has a self-taught method of playing these guitars. Finding the pick difficult to use, she created her own style of finger-picking. "I couldn't feel the strings with the pick. It felt like there was something in between me and the strings." Cooling explained. "So I tossed the pick right from the beginning."

After the 9/11 attacks, Cooling reflected on her work, her career and her future. She asked herself "is what I am doing meaningful."

Cooling's involvement in NAMI stems from the realization that her brother, at the age of nineteen, was diagnosed schizophrenia. "From that moment on, his condition - and its relentless, dominating presence," Cooling explained, "has been the single most pressing element in my family's universe."

"After much soul-searching," Cooling continued, "I decided to 'come out' about this reality and do what I can to bring attention and positive action to the issues of mental health, mental illness, and acute mental illness, in particular."

NAMI is the nation's largest organization for people with mental illness and their families. With affiliates in every state, NAMI receives over 5.4 million visitors every year on its website seeking help and direction.

"When I first heard of Joyce's personal connection to NAMIGO and mental illness, I sent her an email telling her about our walk," said Donna Helsel, who serves on the NAMIGO Board of Directors. Cooling contacted a friend at WLOQ and they began working on the arrangements for the concert and the walk.

"As we continue to have public people like Joyce Cooling speaking out about mental illness," Heslel said, "we will break down the stigma barriers which in turn produce more dollars for research and less stereotyping of this large group of the population."

Cooling later commented that "the warm and friendly people of Orlando make it a fabulous place to play."

To answer her question: yes Joyce, what you are doing is meaningful - through your gift of music and through the gifts you share with others when you are not performing. Your work is greatly appreciated, Joyce.

In Joyce Cooling's own words:

"We CAN make a difference. I'm certainly going to try."