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Me and Obama

So I was asked to play for Obama's inauguration party. Ok, cool, I'm a big Obama fan, of course I'd do it. In a second. One catch. None of the entertainment is getting paid, according to the person that wanted to hire us.

I'm still cool, I would do it. I'd feel like I was doing my part. Make sense? Still I'm kind of pissed. You mean bailout for the banks, for the auto industry for the real estate market.... but musicians play for free.

Blues in F (Gary Burton) by Philippe Briand

Hi everybody, I bet you're all familiar with this video of Gary Burton playing F blues. It's on YouTube, as well as on the Vic Firth site. I tried my ear at transcribing the first chorus, and turned it into a Band-Box file. It's great stuff. It shows how Gary approaches every chord in the progression from the 7th chord a half-step (or step) below or above. He does this consistantly thoughout his solo. Perhaps some of would like to take a look at this transcription. Many of you, I am sure, will be able to play it as a kind of etude. For me, it's much too hard.

A gig story from way back when.

Tony, I liked your gig story. I have one from almost 40 years back, when I was young and foolish. Once I had just become the proud owner of a sailing boat, and thought I could sail, not drive, to a gig. The gig location didn't look too far away, on the map. I thought it was feasible if I got an early start. But never trust the sea. Through the morning there was no wind at all, and I was making no headway. All of a sudden, in the early afternoon, a storm came from out of nowhere and hit bad. Panic on board.

John Hollenbeck Residency "Big Ears"

Hi all!

Sorry I haven't been around these past...weeks! Finally today my life is back to normal!
I just finished the first session of a Residency called "Big Ears" with drummer/composer John Hollenbeck. http://bigearsphilly.com/

I had A LOT of fun anf I learned a lot of great things. We spent these last 5 days working together on a lot of skills that not only make you a better improviser but also a better musician. From rhythm excercises to spontaneous compositions, it was a week full of intense work and lots of fun!

won't be around much

Hey all at vibesworkshop,

I guess you probably noticed that I haven't been posting a lot lately...

well the thing is a litle too complicated to really get into but it comes down to this:

-I have been struggling with a landlord that wants to buy us out of our current home for about 6 years now...
- my father in law has been living with me and my girlfriend for a year
- we finally have a new home and also my father in law
- our new home is crappy and needs tons of work