In March 2025, Andy Wasserman visited Oslo. What followed was a week of profound learning, collaboration, and joy. Here’s a personal reflection on an unforgettable experience with The Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization.
WOW – what a week!
I feel both on top of the world and completely wiped out. Andy Wasserman’s visit to Oslo was profound on so many levels. We experienced deep connection – with each other, with the people we met and worked with, and with the ideas and wisdom that flow from the LCC.
I’ve learned a lot – about the concept, about how to share it, and about myself. It’s hard to put into words how inspired and moved I’ve been. And: we had so much fun.
Here’s a summary of what went down:
We started by spending time with Andy, getting to know him (as a real person in flesh and blood, not only on skype), and talking about music, art, creativity, gravity, philosophy, psychology, and metaphysics. (Andy currently has three students in Norway – Jane, Olav, and myself. We formed the core team around him during the week.) It felt like being transported to an apartment in Manhattan in the 1960s – George Russell was in the room, the energy was electric, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if Miles Davis or Eric Dolphy had walked through the door.
On Sunday, March 23rd, we kicked off a two-day seminar at the recording room in Urban Sound Studio, Oslo. We were joined by a brilliant group of participants: professional musicians, a music student, a researcher, an actor, a composer, and a couple of software engineers. Over the course of those two days, a strong sense of unity developed among us. I could feel how the concept settled into each person in their own unique way. It was beautiful.
I was overwhelmed – and deeply impressed – by Andy’s energy and ability to communicate. There’s so much I’ll take with me into my own teaching practice. We worked side by side throughout the seminar, and I was struck by how effortlessly and naturally we collaborated – as if we’d been doing it for years.
Tuesday was a full day with two in-depth interviews and a podcast recording.
On Wednesday and Thursday, we visited the Norwegian Academy of Music and met with several of my colleagues and students.
Wednesday evening, we wrapped up the day with a fantastic night at the National Jazz Scene, Victoria. We presented the concept, offered reflections and explanations, and played piano for an engaged and curious audience. It was incredibly fun – the energy in the room was amazing.
This was a life-changing week. I feel like a new person. I can’t wait to dive deeper into LCC – on my own, with Andy, with students, and with others.
I’m beyond impressed by Andy, who at 72 showed no signs of losing focus or energy throughout the long and intense days. And I feel pure joy thinking about how naturally we collaborated on the teaching. It’s clear this won’t be the last time we work together. I have no doubt: a new era has begun for George Russell’s The Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization.
