The Best Days Are Made...

Last night was incredible!!! The concert was a huge success, the guest artists were phenomenal, the crowd was loving it, and the band...the band was in the pocket!  I had such a wonderful time performing.  It's been a while since a jazz band concert made me feel that good about performing.  It felt great, the rush, the life, the music...that's truly what it's all about.  Sharing our music and love of music with the kids who came to participate and displaying what it possible when you work hard and enjoy what you do.

They [the high school and jr high students] had a great time, they all performed well throughout the day and the winning band was very deserved of the top prize.  For a group of high school students to sound as good as they did was incredible special.  They worked hard and it showed!  Congrats to them and all their tireless efforts to come and swing as a band!

The day was long, with 19 bands and long hours of running around, announcing bands, setting up chairs and stands, taking care of judges, and making sure that we were prepared for our own concert...whew!!!  The day ended in quite possibly the best way one can end a day.  Dinner with friends, wonderful guest artists, new acquaintances, lots of laughs and meaningful conversations, great food, and then fall asleep next to someone that means a lot.  Ya, he's pretty awesome!

So, Friday is here, Gershwin awaits us at the lunch hour and Rhapsody knows no stops for the faint of heart.  Music truly is the best thing on this planet.  Synonymous with love and a language all its own, I have been reinspired to progress to the next level.  What is that???  RENO!!!!  Hell ya!!!

Ciao!

Trio Reunited...

The return to school is going to be legendary.

Hanging out with good friends last night was definitely something I had been missing and I was so very grateful that they were there.  We had dinner and watched a movie, the latter to be described as unique for sure.  The dinner was great, not because the food was anything spectacular, but because we were together.  It just seemed to taste better, the night was a little warmer, the environment was that much more friendly.  I felt whole again....

The remaining days of "vacation" are winding to a close and already I'm moving into high gear to try and get as much accomplished as I can before the term begins.  I just hope it will be enough to make light work of the road ahead...

A Most Enjoyable Evening Indeed...

Today was filled with the holiday season.  A finale concert we affectionately refer to as the "Holiday Bash" went surprisingly well.  (Even for an event with such a violent seasonal title...)  For the most part everything fell into place and I was glad to say that I was there on stage enjoying myself.  I've performed in so many thus far, rarely do I have a chance to sit back and enjoy myself during a performance.  It seems that I am feeling my time coming to a close on that stage.  The literature is coming full circle and I'm seeing more and more of the same notes and passages from my early days at the Fort.  I do know that it is time to move on and find some new music into which I can sink my chops.

Sushi after the show was incredible.  It had been a while since I'd had any and that made it all the more special and savory.  Each bite was delectable and the chefs at the restaurant were on fire this evening.  If you ever find yourself in Durango Colorado, please, do yourself a favor and stop by our sushi place.  "East by Southwest" is a wonderful place to eat with great atmosphere and wonderful food.  A little pricey, but so worth it every once in a while, especially after a good show!  I think what made it best was that I was there with friends enjoying a nice evening out.  It has been a long time since we've been out like that, it was genuinely awesome, in every sense of the word.

The classic "Larsen" after party was great.  Lots of musicians cavorting and enjoying themselves.  Holiday "cheer" being passed around in great abundance, and my jug of water keeping me  company amidst the plethora of "spirits".  Needless to say I went home earliest to avoid any sidestepping confrontation or awkwardness of the "less that sober".  It was a good time, but I need some peace and quite, slow standards and some hot tea to keep me sane.

I hope that everyone out there is having a wonderful weekend already.  Keep it real and have some fun!

Ciao!

This Our Day Of Thanks...

Today, a majority of Americans celebrate our holiday called "Thanksgiving". It is meant to celebrate our history, our family, our friends, our relationships, basically the many people in our lives for which we are thankful. Some rejoice in being with good company, some pay homage to their friends and their many blessings.

I think that, after my very short time here on earth, the concept of being thankful has come to mean a great many different things for each of us. The dictionary defines "thankful" as: Aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful. I hope that I can express my gratitude for my life, the quality of that life, my family, my friends, my mentors, my education, and each of the many blessings in my world that have become too numerous to calculate.

I do know one thing thus far...it takes more than just one day in the year to truly show how much each of us have in our lives. It takes constant vigilance, determination, and a very conscious effort to remain thankful, to remain steadfast in our humbleness as a family member, as a friend, as someone who can show they are blessed by expressing thanks each and everyday to everyone they know.

My personal gratitude cannot be expressed here in this blog, it cannot be quantified by numbers nor can it be visualized in picture. It can come only from my heart, my words, my thoughts, my work and deeds towards others and that constant unwavering effort to lead by example and show everyone just how "thankful" I am for everything I am, everything I have, and everyone that shares in my life.

Thank you all.

Ciao!