People sometimes ask, “what’s it like on the road?” Here is what it’s like:
Friday morning Billy and I did a clinic at Crater HS in Medford, OR, near Ashland. Meanwhile Ratzo, who had returned to NY a few days earlier to get a haircut, flew in to Portland that morning, rented a car and drove six hours to Ashland.
Friday night we played a concert in Ashland, OR at the Old Siskiyou Barn. It was great: nine foot Maslin Hamilin piano tuned that day; quiet, attentive capacity crowd that gave us a standing ovation; band that’s been playing together almost every day for ten days.
Afterwards we grabbed some dinner and went back to the hotel around 1AM. The next morning, we did a masterclass at the same venue from 11Am to 1PM. Then we drove 6 hours to Portland, and arrived just in time to set up to play at LV’s from 7PM to 10PM.
What a day. We need a road manager.
I think the music keeps getting better and better though. I get bored really easily, which I think is a good thing, because I keep finding new ways to play the music, new rhythmic approaches particularly. And since Ratzo and Billy can go anywhere, it never needs to get boring.
I think my singing is improving too. I took a technique lesson with a great vocal teacher right before I left NY. I think the work I’m doing on that is making a difference.
I’m a little sad that we only have three gigs left. See you in Seattle.