M@'s News & Blog!
blog feb13
Well been having a lot of fun. On the gig front had a wonderful weekend in Canada w/ bassist John Geggie and Pianist Nancy Walker both amazing musicians that love to surf the sonic flow. We really summoned the spirits in Ottawa and Kingston. ( a beautiful town w/ an incredible eatery Chez Pig). We also did a nice workshop at the National Arts Center. I love our northern neighbors. But man it was COLD!! John also brought me to Potsdam U for a day or workshops with some very groovy students.
Well been having a lot of fun. On the gig front had a wonderful weekend in Canada w/ bassist John Geggie and Pianist Nancy Walker both amazing musicians that love to surf the sonic flow. We really summoned the spirits in Ottawa and Kingston. ( a beautiful town w/ an incredible eatery Chez Pig). We also did a nice workshop at the National Arts Center. I love our northern neighbors. But man it was COLD!! John also brought me to Potsdam U for a day or workshops with some very groovy students.
Also a nice fest/vacation hang at Mohonk Mountain House where I played with Martin Wind‘s 4 w/ Scott Robinson and Bill Cunliffe. My man Marty writes some great selections, I am not gonna lie to you! Also a great set with Arts and Crafts with Michael Rodriguez joining the exploration. ( Gary was incredible as always!) The family and I had fun, skiing, snowshoeing, swimming and eating. Heard, jammed and hung with wonderful musicians, Joe Locke, Nilson Matta, Romero Lubambo, Duduka de Foncesca, Kate McGarry, the New York Voices, Clarence Penn, Keith Ganz, Robert Rodriguez and family Johnathan Blake and family. Mighty Michael Bourne puts together a nice weekend for sure! note: played a trio improv with Martin on bass, Scott on bass saxophone and myself on bass drum. Getting low in 2009!
I also did a workshop at Berklee where Joe Lovano came by and we played some duo. Woo hoo that was fun! Look for some clips coming up of that. That evening played with vibist Ed Saindon at the U of New Hampshire with Dave Liebman and Dave Clark. What can I say? What a day, Lovano and Lieb in the same 24 hour period. A friend up here on from Tennesee Deric Dickens tagged along. we hit a bit of snow after visiting the kind folks at the Zildjian factory. But to get the cymbals I picked out I would have walked!!
Other highlights: Jacob Sacks w/ Eivind Opsvik and Mat Maneri at the Stone! Joan Stiles Trio at Smalls w/ Joel Frahm (we record next week). Sound Assembly Big Band, it’s a big band year so far! A great improv night at the Stone with John Zorn, Craig Taborn, Maneri, Mark Helias and other courageous folks!
Saw the Will Ferrell Farewell George Bush at the Cort w/ John Scofield. Hilarious! look for it on HBO! Felicia and I saw the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra play a new concerto written by Ravi Shankar for his daughter along with Mozart and Kodaly. Heard the Vanguard band one monday, wowee. they played a new commission by Bob Brookmeyer, fantastic. Last night heard maestro Paul Motian w/ Jason Moran and Chris Potter ( extraordinary you dig?) and then up to the Iridium, with a talented student Colin Fahrner, to hear the reunion of L’Image w/ Mike Manieri, Warren Bernhardt, David Spinnoza, Tony Levin and Steve Gadd. Gadd was stellar, played brushes for 80% of the set. Tony Levin is a bad dude, they all were. New York , New York. Gadd and Motian in the same night in clubs!!
Oh yeah, Audrey turned 11! Jeesh, they grow up fast....
Take Care and stay positive!
M@
Just got word from Ted Nash that Gerry Niewood, woodwind master (Chuck Mangione and many others), died in that plane crash near Buffalo last evening. Our prayers go out to his son Adam and the entire family!