Howdy Friends,
Didn't realize it had been since last June that I had added to my list of observations, rants and musings about the state of all things. Might do this one in the style of Larry King writing for USA Today. So here goes:
Has anyone ever actually attended a Play, Concert or other Event as a result of a FaceBook invite? Plus, if your event is in Auckland, NZ tomorrow night, chances are I'm busy.
Speaking of FaceBook...How do they make all that money? Have you ever purchased anything from their ads?
Been to eBay lately? Me neither. Seems like years since there was anything of interest for me. Is that true or am I just jaded, tired and/or cranky at the moment?
Been doing some nice concerts. A series of Sinatra and Basie at the Sands Tributes in Buffalo, Rochester, NY...West Virginia, Pa. More to come. Fun to play that great music with a big band swinging in support of Tony Babino, a wonderful singer.
Sonny Payne was a great big band drummer. Played stupendously on the Sands album behind Sinatra. Interesting to hear his approach as compared to Irv Cottler, Alvin Stoller and the rest of the Sinatra drummers. Of course it is behind the Basie band, but man oh man, it's just heavenly.
Enjoying working with many Symphony Pops Orchestras this season. Just did a wonderful Hollywood program with the SW Florida Symphony in Ft. Myers, Fl. Coming up, Santa Rosa, Ca., Columbus, Ohio, Detroit, Long Beach and more.
Have decided to do some private teaching here in my home studio in Newburgh, NY. Snare drum technique, Drum Set...all styles. Coaching for auditions. Reading at all levels. Give a call at 646 387 4030 or email berkowitz66@msn.com
Just read the Jeff Hamilton article in the Feb issue of Modern Drummer. He makes some very good points about Jazz drumming and career. Jeff says that he's into doing mostly his own projects these days as that's what we should all be working towards in our own lives. It's like when Joe Cocuzzo told me years ago that I should "Own My Own Store." Meaning that the path to happiness and true fulfillment comes from charting your own course and playing and performing music that you love. So, I applaud Jeff and also want to say I think he's an amazing drummer, and I'm the first to admit that I watch his videos often and lift as much as I can for my own amazement.
Ludwig Weather Master heads are really good and the best heads to put on a Ludwig drum. Just found this out thanks to drum builder and all around good guy Tim Hermann and, after having replaced the heads on my Black Beauty with Weather masters, the drum now sounds Amazeballs!
Another bit of drum wisdom from the great Peter Erskine. Saw this on a Baseball cap he was wearing. "Your Drum Solo Doesn't Have To Change The World!" Just wonderful. He seems to be turning into our teacher, George Gaber more and more each day as far as his wisdom and sensible approach to great music making.
For some reason, I've been on an Al Jolson kick. Love hearing him sing and just saw some video from 1949 Soldier's Field that is new to me. YouTube is my favorite place in the World. To think that you can search for just about anything and see it instantaneously on whatever device you're using...Fantabulous. Plus, I love iTunes and being able to find just about any obscure recording and have it on my iPhone in under a minute. For concert research, it has made all the difference.
LinkedIn? I use it. Stock price just went through the roof. Thoughts? Has it made it easier for you to get in touch with people? How is it vs. FaceBook? Business vs. Social?
Enjoying the lack of snow this Winter in NY. Please let it continue to be mild as I have trips to Minnesota and Detroit in the coming weeks.
Biopsy? Buy-opsy? Bye Bye-opsy?
What's the deal with people not returning calls, emails, etc these days? Are you really that busy? If the answer is no, simply say so and let's get on with it.
Congrats to Zach on his engagement. Family wedding soon. Always fun to see who shows up.
Infanticipating?
Love watching Morning Joe, Chris Mathews/Hardball and Rachel Maddow. Might have to keep my SiriusXM subscription so I can continue to listen to MSNBC while in the car.
Now on my 4th MiniCooper. Love them but think it's time for a change when the lease is up. Maybe, maybe not.
Maestro Barry Levitt has a great line about Cabaret in NYC. (Not the show...the genre.) He says, "It's the same 10 dollars. I go to your show, you go to my show..." Damn shame that the Algonquin has decided to close the venue there...citing diminishing crowds as one reason. Cultural change? Fewer people wanting to hear obscure show tunes and their even more obscure verses or more to do with the economy?
Used to see any number of Jazz programs on cable...not to mention Soundies on TCM. They all seem to be gone.
Watched Michael Feinstein's latest show in PBS about the GAS. (Great American Songbook but I love that GAS is the shorthand.) Nice show, still trying to figure out why there was a section on weightlifting while watching a video of Liberace talking and singing and playing Irving Berlin.
Doing a Gene Krupa Tribute in LA in May. BeBop period of the band...Gerry Mulligan charts. Can't wait to work with my friends in LA again. Greatest musoids in the World. With all due respect.
Broadway...anyone doing an original Musical these days? Book of Mormon, thank you very much. So many revivals. And then the revisions of the revivals...why not do the show the way it was originally presented? Don't you think the Authors and Composers knew what they were doing? And why bring back trunk songs or songs thrown out of the show in Boston, Philly or Baltimo? I guess on this issue I'm like Mitt Romney...Severely Conservative. Also quit trying to fix Follies and Merrily. They are what they are. George Kaufman couldn't make Merrily work as a play. The backward in time thing is a cute idea when you're looking at your face in the mirror, shaving...just doesn't work. He found that out. Nice Overture though.
Oh, so much more to say but as Sam Levenson used to say...You must learn from the mistakes of others. You can't possibly live long enough to make them all yourself.
More to come.
Mike Berkowitz
