March, 2006
March 24th
For the past 17 months I’ve done a play by play, day by day journal on this page. When I came back from the Balkans it took me a week just to upload the photos and catch up from the month on the road. Since I’ve been back in NYC, I’ve been busy and I appologise (mostly to myself) for totally neglecting my journal. Here are a few things I’ve been working on this month.
Agora Quartet – We recieved the good news that we’ve passed on to the next round of auditions for American Music Abroad 2007. We’ve launched a website www.agoraquartet.com and have started to delegate some duties in order to fill its content. That should be up and running in the next month. We’ve also had a couple of rehearsal to prepare for our audition, adding a great new tune and refining some older material. This project is really going great, everybody on the same page and working as a team.
Ruby Rosa – Krystle and I have been back at Moto this month playing as a duo. We’ve had some great moments, seen lots of friends, and made some new ones. We had a photo shoot with my friend Supi at a studio in soho. You can see the pics at our new myspace page (www.myspace.com/rubyrosamusic). I have confirmed 7 gigs in North and South Carolina in the first and second week of May. Krystle and I will perform as a duo and invite some of my favorite musical collaborators from the south to join us on stage. Please check the “gigs” page for performances.
Quartet – I’ve been working on new compositions for my quartet and submitted applications for a couple of composers grants. I’m hoping to form a NYC quartet around Ferenc Nemeth, Thomas Bramerie, and Chris Cheek. Ferenc, Thomas, and I have been playing a lot at Boom together as a trio and I plan to start bringing my originals to them. I’ve booked my first gig at 55 Bar for August 1st. I’ll also be trying to do something at Detour and a few other spots before then.
Beat the Donkey – It’s been great playing with Cyro, Tim, Brian, Ze, Lisette, and Chikako again. We’ve had a couple of gigs this month and they were both a lot of fun. I’ve recently taken on Cavaquinho duties and although I cheat (tuning like a guitar) everyone seems pleased with the results. We have a really big gig tomorrow night at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University in D.C. We’ve had a couple of rehearsals and I’ve gotten together with Lisette and Chikako to rehearse vocals. I’m looking forward to a great show. BTD will be traveling to the Carolinas (including Charleston) again in April and we’re confirmed for some great summer festivals including Floyd Fest.
Listening – I’ve been going out and listening to music. I’m loving NYC as much as ever. I’ve dropped in at La Lanturna to see my friend Peter Mazza. He’s doing some great stuff with alternate tunings on the guitar and playing duo with Will Vinson. I saw Lage Lund at the 55 Bar. Great guitarist, great band, creative tunes, very inspiring. My friend Gilad Hekselman is another great guitarist who I recently checked out at Smalls. He sounds beautiful. Ferenc invited me out to a concert of Central Asian music. Jaw harps, 2 stringed plucked instruments, tabla, vocalists, and the Afganhistan Rubarb. It was amazing especially since it allowed me the opportunity to be on the receiving end of this type of cultural exchange. The concert reminded me so much of our work in the Balkans and gave me another valuable perpective on the program.
I’m counting my blessing daily. Life is good. Thanks for taking a minute to check up on me. I sincerely hope to hear from you!
All the Love,
Clay
