Friday the 24th
I was initially off this night but got a call from great drummer Evan Stone (asamandrummeth.com) to sub for him out in Temecula. It ended up being a pretty cool event for KYMT 94.5, a big smooth jazz station in San Diego, CA. There was alot of cool appreciative people there and I was working with up and coming smooth jazz saxaphonist Shannon Kennedy. Shannon's a really sweet young girl with a strong business sense already. It was a cool hang. Check her out at www.TeenJazz.com.
From there I was off home to celebrate an early gig with a little time with Hannah. It's cool too have a supportive girl in my life that tolerates my inconsistent life style, travel schedule, and crazy work obsession! GUYS: If you have a good one, HANG ON TO THEM! Good musicians girlfriends are a rare breed and a good one is worth keeping.
Friday the 25th
I started off with a morning of teaching then headed out to L.A. to do some rehearsing for a new show I'm starting over at the M-Bar in Hollywood wwith Singer/Actress Jennifer Hasty. It's her one-woman show and features some cool tunes from Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, U2, Bruce Springsteen & others. It's kin d of cool to rock out a little! The show opens on the 31st at 8 PM.
After a drive through traffic and a quick visit at home, it was off to Steamer's in Fullerton, CA for a gig with Johnny Blas & His Funky Latin-Jazz Band. I have been with Johnny for 3 years now and the band is full of guys who have become really good friends. It's cool when a real "band" vibe gets developed within a group. With that in mind, it means that every gig is a great hang where everyone in the band is truly listening and concerned with what is being played. It's a real considerate thing to do and it's cool because with Johnny we REALLY stretch. Johnny rarely pulls in the reins on us and just lets us blow. Can't argue with that. I started off playing both drums and timbales with Johnny in a more traditional Latin-Jazz/Salsa context and it's been cool to be involved in the transition of the band moving into its new funky sound. We are always working around town and will also be at the Temecula Jazz Festival this July. Check the band out!
Sunday the 26th
After a late night at Steamers the night before and a pretty solid after gig run of drinking witht he guys, my 1 PM rehearsal for Jennifer Hasty in L.A. felt early. I dragged my ass out of bed and made the trek over to the west side to tighten things up for the show opening. Billy Bob Thorton was rehearsing with his band down the hall. Only in L.A.!
Monday the 27th
I slept in. It's a bad habit these days. I'm not getting much sleep really, my sleep schedule is just really fucked up. Theres no better feeling than getting up early and feeling like you've had this long productive day. I want that! I have always had trouble sleeping so when I get in these really bad periods it sucks. Going to bed at 4 AM isnt as much fun as when I was younger.
Did alot of writing during the day. I would really like to finally get a solo record done this year. More on that at a later date....
Met up with my bro Jeff Hawley and the guys in Michael Ryan's band for a quick rehearsal in the evening getting ready for a big show we're doing on Sunday. It was cool to hang and catch up with the guys a bit. Alot of laughs. If you come to the show for one thing it has to be for Hai Muradian! Not only is he a great singer/flutist and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet but this dude cracks me up! You can't get in a room with Hai without leaving laughing your ass off and being in a better mood. Check out his band The Ravelers at www.Ravelers.com or his childrens group The Happpy Crowd at www.HappyCrowd.com.
Caught some coffee with my friend Lisa then retired home to the start of the sounds of rain and a handdful of late night episodes of the X-Files. This show has been part of my sleeping problem.
as for today...
Tuesday the 28th
Got another late start and tried to catch up on some house cleaning. Hopefully gonna meet up with good friend and amazing guitarist Joe Jewell (www.JoeJewellGuitar.com) in a few for a quick bite to eat then it's off to teach. Also just got off the phone with my bro Craig Durst from the band 2azz1. They've got some great stuff coming up. Check out their site at www.2azz1.com. I'll catch up with everybody soon. Take care and stay dry.
MB
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