Weekend Update...Gigs!

Days off from writing are something I hate taking.  With all the performances, gigs, and finals over the last 5 days, the world of blogging has been something of a blur.  The term is ending today and the world is looking brighter and brighter (despite the clouds and impending snow).  The end of last week was wrought with music and gigs all over the place.  Final rehearsals for jazz band are going well and a gig at San Juan College in Farmington was a blast.  I was happy to play with that ensemble again and the charts were really fun to play.  Couple that with a week long visit from my uncle and the week was killer!

Saturday's gig at the DAC was something of a bust.  I was a little depressed that more people didn't show up, especially for a Saturday night event.  The world of Durango just doesn't seem to have much interest for the world of Jazz.  I did however have a great time playing with the best rhythm section.  Those guys are getting tighter every time and it seems that they are moving closer and closer to the "gel" mode.  Michael came and sat in with us for most of the event and that was sweet!  He can play and has ears from another dimension!  I was glad I got a chance to play in a combo setting with him, and it definitely helped the night move along!  Kudos to him for stepping up and having some fun with us.  I really appreciated it.

My BAMF was there and that makes the night the most special of all.  She's the best, my (s) pic, my friend, and my confidant.  I can't imagine the world without her in it.  I was glad to get to hang out with everyone after the gig and enjoy some early, early, early morning breakfast.  It was fun and I hadn't done it in a long time.

Sunday was a club day, full of holiday merriment and bowling (of all things).  I hadn't been for years and I really had a great day with the club folks.  It was one of the best holiday parties I'd been too in a long time.

So, 10 days to the big show and a happy ho-ho-ho!  I hope that everyone has their lists out and are checking them twice.  The season is upon us and the spirit of the holiday is everywhere, I hope we can share it together!

Ciao!

...DARY...

It seems with the end of the semester finally arriving and all the work behind me, the motivation ratio is starting to take a dip.  I'm finding new music to play and projects to keep me occupied, but I'm not sure how I'll be able to spend a month at home.  Usually I'm in Santa Fe working with the Desert Chorale. (if you haven't seen or heard them, do yourself a favor - www.desertchorale.org)

It is intense for a holiday season, but with the change in administration and new ideas, they seem to have things in hand without me this year, so I'm finding new things to keep my days working.

Spending some time at home and work extra hours everywhere seems like a great place to start. Having quite a bit more personal practice time is definitely going to be wonderful.  I'll probably even start some other jazz studies and work on some new licks!  Can't wait to see where this month takes me.  I hope that everyone out there has a wonderful month off from school and that we come together refreshed and ready for another kick-ass term!

Ciao!

Notes Gone By...

Juries, finals, papers, homework, exams....

It seems that this time of year this terminology always enters our college bound lexicons.  I found myself standing in front of the music faculty once again, playing solo and showing them that I really do know what I'm doing.  (for the most part...)  It was a little different this time as I have already performed my senior recital and I'm pretty much ready to move on to the next level of my education.  It felt like I was playing my swan song, at least one of a few left in the year, and I was kind of sad to see them all sitting there watching and listening.  I've done it so many times now that I don't hardly think about it anymore.  Maybe this is a good sign that I am really ready to move forward in life and take that next step.

As for finals, I've kind of felt a bit of a slacker this term.  I really only have one final left and I'm planning on taking that online.  The rehearsals for school are over and there are no more performances left.  It seems that the year really is winding down and our department is getting ready for a nice relaxing holiday.  One more semester, one more term, one last go 'round...

I can't wait.  It's going to be legen...wait for it...

Ciao!

There's Music...and then there's MUSIC!

Practicing always makes me feel better...about everything.  No matter what is going on in my life, good or bad, strong or weak, real or fake, practicing my horn and making music always helps me regain my focus.  It brings out the vibrant colors of my soul and heals my heart.  The music that I emote makes me feel centered and whole again.  It revives that spark, it kindles the low flame and helps it grow into a raging bonfire of expression once more.

Tonight I practiced and played some music.  What makes it better?

Playing for someone else.  Sharing that music with another person.  This time....my BAMF.  Ya, it was awesome and when I heard her play it made me realize just how amazing a musician and person she really is.  If me practicing by myself helps me regain my focus and grounding, then playing for another person (especially my BAMF) takes my world of music to a different plane of existence.  That elusive "undiscovered country" appears on the horizon for a brief moment in time.

Share it, live it, dream it.  Regain your focus, center yourself in the moment, play some music, do what makes you happy.  Live the dream....

Ciao!

The Joys of Being Home...

Days like today are few and far between.  I guess that can be said for everyday as we should try to live them like they were our last.  But, having family in from out of town makes days like these even more special.  The first week in December is already checked off the calendar and the skies shown sunny and clear blue.  Though crisp and clear, the days and nights are still very cold and a foreboding winter is definitely on the horizon.  It is simply amazing that there is still lots of sunshine and warm afternoons to go around this late in the year.

I spent the day visiting with family and enjoying stories and conversations over some fabulous home cooked fare.  It was truly a wonderful day.  Working on computers for my parents, and shuffling music around for my grandparents, spreading the love and enjoying each other is definitely my idea of a good time at home.  I'm really fortunate to have them in my life.  Just knowing that they are there makes my days easier and my soul feel good.

I hope that everyone gets to spend some time at home with family, especially during this holiday season.

Ciao!

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!

Ending for the Beginning...

Now is the beginning of the end...of the year. 2008 is moving steadily towards the finish line and the beginning of the down hill slope has come. Thirty days will see us to the end of this year and the beginning of the next. I myself was a little taken aback at the fact that the first of December had arrived. It seemed only yesterday (now I know I'm getting older) that summer was just getting started and the days were hot and long.

I'm excited for the holidays to come and for the new year. 2009 is already looking like a year full of progress, change, and illumination. This year still has some time remaining and, while it is fleeting, it's that time that is most precious, most endearing, and most valuable. I hope that we can live each day like it's our last. (Even as they give way to the next...)

I look forward to tomorrow, but live in today...

Ciao!