Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Sonya Kitchell

My old friend and Inner Orchestra buddy Emiliano Garcia used to teach jazz to a young singer named Sonya Kitchell. She came a few times to a jam session he used to host in Northampton, and they let her in with her mom even though she was underage. I think we (the I.O. horns) may have played with Sonya's band at one of her first club dates- I remember rehearsing for it, anyway.

Fast forward a few years. Sonya is now signed to Velour, touring the world, and quickly becoming a famous singer/songwriter. Last year, your neighborhood Starbucks sold two CD's at the counter- the Will.i.am-produced Sergio Mendes album, and Sonya's first full-length. I love her music, and I'm really excited for her.

Herbie Hancock's new album River is all Joni Mitchell songs- with vocals. For the album, he got a bunch of superstars to do one song each- Tina Turner, Norah Jones, Corinn Bailey Rae, Leonard Cohen, one track by Joni herself- but Herbie picked Sonya to be the featured singer with his band for his album-release tour. This is maybe the biggest possible compliment in the entire present-day musical universe.

They did a night in Phoenix, but I had a Friday night gig myself, and when I added my lost gig pay to the price of a ticket, I simply couldn't afford to go, and I felt like I don't know Sonya well enough anymore to ask for comp tickets. I was really bummed. Money is a wonderful thing, and needing money is a terrible thing. Anyway, if you see this, Sonya, I'm sorry I missed your show, and congratulations!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Pete's New Album

Guitarist/singer-songwriter/bandleader Pete Pidgeon is a friend of mine from Boston. He did some gigs with the Inner Orchestra, and I did some gigs with his band, Arcoda. He has a great new album out, Doubt Is For Losers, a sprawling stew of rock (orchestral/pop/hard/hippie/funk/etc.) And my friend Taka from the Hot Tamale Brass Band plays tuba on the album. I've probably listened to it twelve times in the last three days (yes, I've spent a lot of time in my car), and I like it more and more. Congratulations, Pete!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Current Commuting Album

Guitarist/singer/songwriter/bandleader Ryan Montbleau was one of my and Sarah's favorite acts to go see in Boston, plus our friend John Adams does his album art, and my friend Matt Gionarros plays bass for him. I used to like Ryan's solo shows better than with his band, but the band sounds amazing on his new album, Patience on Friday. Definitely his best yet- been listening to it for two weeks solid.

New at Spiritrax

A month ago, we got a visit from a wonderful, classically-trained soprano named Melissa Guiley. Guess I forgot to post them here at the time.

Wonderful Peace
I didn't know this song before I arranged it, but it's my new favorite. I feel like I managed a nice natural build through the arrangement.

Oh Chanukah
Just in time for the CCCCChhhhhhholiday.

S'vivon
For the klezmer kiddies. Melissa's Jewish, so we got her to do these Chanukah tunes.

And Mandi Leigh did two more of my Christmas arrangements last week:

O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)
Pretty traditional.

Jingle Bells
When I put this on, Mandi said, "Oh, I'm in Disneyland!" I guess that's sort've what I was going for.

Lots more, but I'll post them once they have vocals.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Silly entertainment

Today I was thinking about how sometimes when I'm bored, or worried about time, I check the clock over and over again, waiting for time to pass, and at these times time seems to move very slowly. And other times I forget about watching what time it is and the day just seems to flow on by.

I was also thinking of the phrase, a watched pot never boils.

And it occurred to me- if time was enclosed in a pot of ignorance, then looking at a clock would release the pressure, and time would actually pass more slowly. Since pressure exist in three dimensions, there's no reason it shouldn't in the fourth as well.

 

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