Here's what's been happening. The Hartford Symphony Concerts with Spectrum were amazing. Two concerts, 7000 screaming people each night. The Orchestra was a dream band, played the arrangements beautifully and had a really fun vibe. Nice folks and hope to be back with the Hartford Symphony again soon. Left July 18th with Liza and the Minnoolians for concerts in Ulm, Regensburg, Wolfsburg and San Sebastian.
Landed in Munich...Nice Hotel. Did a bit of sightseeing, walking around and eating.
Concert in Ulm, next to the World's Highest Cathedral. Just before soundcheck, there was a torrential downpour with the wind blowing everything around. But, all was clear and calm for the Concert.
On stage in Ulm. The red drums were a big hit.
Another day off in Munich...went to Stuttgart and Metzinger to visit Porsche Factory and Hugo Boss factory. Both big disappointments. Neither gave out any free samples.
Then a concert in the Medieval city of Regensburg. Here's a video link to a German TV spot about the concert. I'm visible a couple of times behind the drums as are Billy Stritch and Liza. (If the link doesn't work, cut and paste it into your browser address line.)
http://www.mittelbayerische.de/_misc/videoplayer/videoplayer_365x325.cfm?pid=3299&pk=732
Then a concert in the Medieval city of Regensburg. Here's a video link to a German TV spot about the concert. I'm visible a couple of times behind the drums as are Billy Stritch and Liza. (If the link doesn't work, cut and paste it into your browser address line.)
http://www.mittelbayerische.de/_misc/videoplayer/videoplayer_365x325.cfm?pid=3299&pk=732
View from the driver's seat in Regensburg. Below: Either a stick up or I'm about to give a down beat in Regensburg. Love the Four Season shirt.
Off to the Autostadt in Wolfsburg. Stayed at the Ritz Carlton on the grounds of the VW factory. Kind of like an automobile Disneyland with Museums, Shops, etc. on the grounds. And facing the power plant built by Albert Speer in 1936 right out my window.
Nice, huh?
Saw Herbie Hancock with Vinnie Colaiuta on drums the night before our concert. I sat right off stage next to Vinnie for the concert. Was fun watching Vinnie do his thing...Amazing drummer!
Then a wild ride to the airport in a van caravan, (The Bourne Concerts...) so we could take off in a charter plane for Vittoria Spain, en route to San Sebastian.
San Sebastian was very beautiful.
We played in the Silver slanted building...San Sebastian Jazz Festival. Heard a kid's band playing IN THE MOOD right outside the stage door. Sounded good but the drummers never play the cowbell part on the last repeat like Moe Purtill. Call me a stickler for detail but gee whiz, it's on the record.
Coney Island on the 7th. Primm Nevada on the 16th. I'm conducting the Lexington Ky. Symphony Aug 22 & 23 in Mancini Magic Concerts and then the 30th in Hammond Indiana at the Horseshoe Casino.
See you there.
MB
See you there.
MB
