April 27th.
Another rainy day here in Balmville, NY. Heater has kicked on and neither of us are happy about that. 49 degrees again today but they say that Friday will bring warmth and sun to my little corner of the World.
In chronological order:
Flew to Sacramento to do 2 concerts with my Big Band and the Four Freshmen. Sacramento audience numbered in the 2000's and the show was great. Napa Opera House the next night. Beautiful venue and another swell show. Had some Ayotte drums provided for me on the Napa gig. Nice sounding, very open drums. Kind of a pale blue wash for a finish. Was like playing on a drum set that would have been seen in Yellow Submarine...Brought my Bosphorous Cymbals and they were once again amazing to play on. Many people came up to me and said that my cymbals sounded amazing...and they were right! Thank you Michael Vosbein and Bosphorous.
Flew back to NY. Gave a few pints of blood to the IRS and then right back to Northern California, this time for two Concerts with the Santa Rosa Pops. The act was Jim Curry and his Tribute to John Denver. Charts by Lee Holdridge who was John Denver's own arranger. This is one amazing Pops Show. Jim sounds naturally like Denver and looks like him too. When he first came out, the audience didn't know what to expect but after about 5 seconds of him singing Rocky Mountain High you could feel everyone relax and a spontaneous round of applause came up from the audience. They knew the Concert was going to be a treat. Jim's group includes his wife on vocals and guitar/mandolin, an amazing flute player, another multi instrumentalist on all kinds of stringed things, a Bassist and Richie Garcia on drums and percussion. Richie had worked with John Denver for a number of years and it was so nice to have him on the gig. One of the best Pops Shows I've ever conducted and one that Orchestras should be booking NOW!
Took the Red Eye home on Sunday night. Home for two days and then a 4 hour (schlep) drive down the NJ Turnpike to Baltimore where I was a last minute replacement Conductor for the BSO's Concerts with SPECTRUM.
A quick 2 hour rehearsal at Meyerhoff with the BSO and then 4 Concerts. The first one was at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD. What a beautiful Hall!!! I can't say enough about this place. It's all wood and the sound is amazing, both onstage and in the House...A true Gem of a Hall.
Then 3 more in Baltimore at Meyerhoff. Audiences were very lively, singing along, clapping on 2 and 4, (most of the time) and dancing in the aisles and in their seats. That's what Spectrum concerts are like> These four guys plus their four man rhythm section, led by Tex Richardson on Piano, do an amazing show of the Best of R & B, The Sounds of Philadelphia and Motown. With the uncanny ability to sing like the artists they are covering, Spectrum is really a very special Pops show. Nobody does this music better, plus with their costumes, choreography and tip top arrangements for Symphony, they are truly Living Legends, which they were named in Las Vegas last year.
A few words about the BSO. GREAT! WONDERFUL! AFFABLE! FRIENDLY! COURTEOUS! AMAZING MUSICIANS!!!! My thanks to all of them, the crew, Spectrum, Mary Plaine and Eric and also Paul Meecham for having me.
That's it. One last drum set to sell. Call or write. Didn't hear from anyone as to my question last month on whether I should be more forthcoming about people and places...Either no one is reading this or no one cares I guess. In either case, the elegant solution might not always be the way to go.
Until next time,
Stay warm and dry...
MB
