It's Dana's Birthday! Besides being a great player Dana has incredible energy and is a real team player. I love having him on the site!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANA!!

This is an effective 4 mallet exercise that I’ve been using for years. I do the exercise at the beginning of my practice time and often before a gig or concert. I think it helps to condition your hands and fingers by building some strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Rockin' Out with Ron Von Strattum on drums.

I stumbled on this! Probably at least 10 years old. This is a group I had with Christoph Eidens. Christoph died a few years back.

I'm playing Marimba! Maybe that's the last time I played it!! It's been a LONG time!

It's My tune. I'll attach the sheet.

Bernd Zinzius - bass
Ron Von Stratum - drums

For me John Lewis was one of those pianists whom sometimes I thought, man can this guy play or not. His minimalist approach is a little confusing sometimes for me.

But, check him out playing Django here. Beautiful harmonies and some of the rhythmic stuff on his solo is really cool.

I have to remember that he played with Dizzy, so no way was he a slouch. Anyone get what I'm saying? It seemed like Milt was that cat in MJQ that sparked all the fires. Or so I think.

I came home from work this evening and was surprised to find my new Mike Balter custom Mallets had been delivered. It was amazing how fast it was from request to delivery.

These are Tony Miceli signature mallets and the Mike Balter R23's but with the rubber grip used on the John Piper M44R mallets added.

I can't play without the rubber grip. So I asked Mike if it was possible to add them after the fact and he said yes. I sent them in and received them back within a very short period of time.

Video is not that great but man Bags swings so hard!

Guys,

I just got a mail today from Philippe Briand. For those who don't know him yet "Philippe" is a first hour subscriber and among our dear "young veterans". After decades of great jazz drum playing with the greatest, he started vibes over his 40's but has worked hard on it and become a fine player, member, and friend from my side.