The highlight of the evening was getting to sit in with Vince, something I had hoped might happen but hadn't expected. I usually hate watching videos of myself, but this evening was so much fun, I'm willing to put aside my typical self criticisms to relive it and share it with you. A big thanks to jazz writer Michael Steinman for the capturing it on video. (Now if only I had looked at the camera a time or two, ... and perhaps laid off the canoli's while in nyc)
(Note: the video says March 20th, but actually it was April 20th, for those of you keeping score)And speaking of Michael, If you're any sort of jazz/swing fan, you need to be reading Michael's wonderful blog,Jazz Lives. Lots of good stuff there - great musician profiles, CD reviews, videos, as well as some insider tips for NY shows.
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Playing for the jazz club at three rivers was a ton of fun. But I had to LOL when I saw this marquee... nothing says your career is on the right track than sharing the billing with, um... flu shots. Next Reynolds Brother's Rhythm Rascals album cover? ]]>
Wishing you Peace, prosperity and plenty of good music - we'll see you in 2009!
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Just got photos from the fabulous Mike Larson of the Hearst Castle Holiday Feast. I was so excited when we were asked to play for this event! If I can be so bold, I've always thought our music would be perfect for an event there ;)
It's hard to walk inside the castle and not wonder about the parties that must have happened back in the day, and getting to play inside felt like stepping back in time. (Well, almost stepping back in the time, we do have a modern pa system, a detail I'm working on...). And it was apropos that John Reynolds was able to join us on guitar, he has family history involving the Hearst Castle, his grandmother, ZaSu Pitts, stayed there as a guest.
It's always a pleasure to work with Mark and Corinne, they have such an eye for detail! I'm full of admiration for the amazing designers and florists we get to work with, and how they are able to transform a place, I don't know how they envision and plan it all. We always show up for an event and they've been there for hours, even days, getting things ready. It's a cool process to watch, and it's fun to have a bit part in all these events. I always feel like we have the easiest job, just being on the line for sounding (and looking) good. Watching them make this event happen really did make our playing feel like, well, playing.
With all those details in his head, Mark still thought to build us this cool stage - check out the fun Judy (Garland) lights! It's not often I get to step out from behind the piano; I felt like such a diva, and I loved every minute of it! Way too much fun!
Thanks again to the Friends of the Hearst Castle for having us at their party.
Before we headed to Japan (more on that to come!) I had the pleasure of speaking with Jim Stone of WLNZ, Grand River, MI. You can hear our chat on his Big Band Swing show this Tuesday evening, April 29th at about 8PM EST time, though naturally you'll want to tune in at 7 so you can catch the beginning of this great show. Listen online at: www.lcc.edu/wlnz.
Also big thank yous to Derrick Lucas at WGMC in my hometown of Rochester NY, who did a nice interview of me at the beginning of April, to Mal Sharpe who featured it back in January on his show on KCSM in San Mateo, and to all our friends at KCSM and KCBX San Luis Obispo who played the CD when it first came out and encouraged me to send it to more stations.
Finally, I’ve also gotten some really nice quotes and reviews about the CD. In writing about it all, I have to say I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the positive feedback, thank you!
]]>My new CD has arrived! It’s still enroute to the online retail outlets (at this point CDBaby, World's Records, and Amazon), but right now is available in San Luis Obispo at Full Circle, BooBoo’s Records, and Apropos.
I was fortunate to have an absolutely stellar group of musicians behind me:
I’ll be playing selections from the CD this Saturday, November 17th, from 5-8 at Vinoteca Wine Bar in Paso Robles, and then again on Sunday, December 2nd from 5-9 at Full Circle. Check our calendar for all the details.
]]>Wine lovers, get your tickets today to the Zenaida Cellar's Harvest dinner on Friday, October 19th. Spend a lovely fall evening taking in the gorgeous view at Zenaida winery. Enjoy a courtyard fire, Tapas-style dinner catered by Trumpet Vine Catering, and live music with the Usonia Jazz Band.
Fans of the hot ‘30s swing music of Django Reinhardt won‘t want to miss our free Swing in the Colony performance on Saturday, October 20th in Atascadero, when we will be joined by LA based master guitarist John Reynolds and his brother Ralf, who is one of the world’s greatest jazz washboard players. Grandsons of the silent screen star Zazu Pitts, both brothers are veterans of over 30 years of entertaining and have worked with musical greats including Cab Calloway, John Jorgensen, and the Smothers Brothers and had long residencies at Disneyland.
More info about all our upcoming events can be found on our calendar.
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We don’t, unfortunately, play salsa or other authentic Cuban music, so we branched out of our regular swing repertoire to play some fun, Latin and Cuba inspired tunes from the period, including “I’ll See You In C-U-B-A”, “Besame Mucho”, “Siboney”, “Amor, Amor” “Green Eyes” and “Cuban Love Song”.
I’m kicking myself I neglected to get a photo of my outfit for the evening, a vintage Mexican hand painted skirt from the great online store Blue Velvet Vintage!
]]>Dave and I had a great evening last Friday night, entertaining on the Papagallo yacht. If you haven’t yet been on the yacht, it’s a fabulous way to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, or just spend a lazy, lost afternoon. We’ve done a number of private and public events on board, and without exception they’ve been great parties. The crew is friendly and inviting, Midge is the hostess with the mostess, chef Len’s food is terrific, and Dennis is rumored to be generous at the bar. The yacht can only hold about 30 people, and so the trip always feels like an intimate private cruise.
We’ll set sail next on Sunday October 14th, from 1-4pm, and I’m on the lookout for the perfect vintage sailor dress!
Past dates have sold out, so be sure to get your tix early! ]]>Most of our performances tend to be of a more background music nature, and it was a lot of fun to get a chance to interact with the crowd, speak a little bit about the music, and see people actively listening and singing along. Many, many thanks to my dear friend, Clint Baker, who was able to interject plenty of amusing historical anecdotes into our performance.
To our new found friends in LomPOKE, thanks so much for the warm and enthusiastic welcome!!!
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Our first feature wedding took place last September ....
A picturesque working ranch was the perfect setting for a beautiful autumnal wedding. The ceremony occurred in a grove of olive trees a short distance from the barn being used as a reception site.
After the ceremony, the band set a celebratory tone as the guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails outside the barn.
The party lingered into the evening with dinner and dancing inside the barn.
For venues in scenic locations (such as barns, gardens, wineries), having cocktails outside lets your guests enjoy the natural surroundings. One instrumentation that works well in these situations is a quartet of trumpet, bass, guitar and piano/vocals. We can set up the piano (keyboard) and PA system inside where most of the evening will occur, and the trio (trumpet, bass, and guitar) can play acoustically outside with minimal setup. When it’s time to move inside we won’t have to move very much equipment and can have music playing on our PA system as your guests enter.
A big thanks to Meredith and Jason for letting us be a part of their celebration and to Allyson Magda for her great photos!