November, 2005
Nov. 30th
Got the itenerary for our tour to the Balkans. We’re going to Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, and Serbia.
Nov. 29th
Just been at home today working on tunes, practicing, and making phone calls.
Nov. 28th
I worked at BOOM tonight with Ferenc Nemeth and Chris Vanvoorst Vanbaast. I always love playing with theses guys and tonight was no exception. After the gig, Chris and I went to a crazy ass party in an immaculate Soho Loft. My Friend Won Kyung was helping her sister celebrate her 21st birthday. The party was at the Boyfriends house. Charles owned the company that developed Front Page software. They sold it to Microsoft and things are going pretty well for him with the finances. His place was a 3 story loft with incredible Balconies, bathrooms, and 2 kitchens. Unbelieveable!!!
Nov. 27th
Alright, a much needed night at home. We had brunch at Dizzy’s and I spent the afternoon practicing. Marie cooked and incredible dinner at home and we chilled for the rest of the night.
Nov. 26th
I met the gang in the same spot as yesterday. They needed to get a little more shopping in before we went to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. We forced Dad to get a stylish NYC haircut on the way and the show was “Christmas Spectacular.” Unfortunately I had to say goodbye, but I went to meet Marie at the Path Train. We headed into New Jersey where we went to see Ornette Coleman and the Bad Plus at the NJPAC. The Plus sounded great and the audience seemed to love it. It was really incredible to see Ornette and his unique group. He had a quartet with 2 basses and drums, while he played mostly alto, trumpet, and violin. They group played for a good hour and 1/2. They were incredibly tight and some of the ballads were truly espressive and beautiful. After the set, I met Ornette backstage and we caught up with our friends The Bad Plus. Everyone seems to be doing well and working more than ever. They are on the road supporting their new record and seem to be enjoying things.
Nov. 25th
The Gang
Happy Birthday Dad. We walked around in Midtown most of the afternoon. I met dad in the worst of possilbe worlds, Macy’s. It took me an hour to find him. Tyler and I immediatly started our planned bombardment of Hallmark Cards. Dad loves Hallmark cards and complained earlier in the year that we never send them. This year we hit him with a continuous stream of Hallmarks all through the day at every little store as we stopped and shopped with the ladies. We went to see the Producers on Broadway, which was great, and afterwards had dessert. Leith really liked La Lanturna. Mike Moreno was playing and it was great to hear some music at the end of the night. Tyler and I made one last stop at the Baggot Inn where we stumbled upon the incredible mandolin master Chris Thile and his band. What an unexpected suprise that was.
Happy Nov. 24th
My favorite New Yorkers
Happy Thanksgiving. Marie and I went met the gang at the Pain Quitidien for brunch. We ate and took a long walk around the East Village and enjoyed the suprisingly nice weather. Later the whole gang went to see the new Johnny Cash Movie (Walk the Line). We had a great Turkey dinner at their Hotel, right across from Ground Zero. Afterwards, Marie, Tyler, and I went to Krystle’s house for a last round of drinks. There we found Lakecia and Solomon very tired.
too much turkey
Krystle Rocks
Nov. 23rd
My dad came into town today with Leith and Molly. Molly is a little sick so she and Leith stayed at the Hotel while Dad, Tyler, Marie and I went out for a while. We met at Pauls, had great burgers, played pool (Dad won), and went to a movie at the Angelika.
Nov. 22nd
I’ve been working on the upcoming tour to the south. I’ve made flyers, and contacted the local press and radio. I’m really looking forward to these gigs and hope to see lots of friends.
Nov. 21st
I played tonight at BOOM with Chris Vanvoorts Vanbaast and Jerome Sabbagh. It was quiet, but we had a nice gig and the music made me feel much better.
Nov. 20th
Not much to report, just taking it easy and nursing my cold.
Nov. 19th
I’m coming down with something. I’ve got a painful sore throat. Tonight we took it easy and went to see Capote in Cobble Hill. Great Movie.
Nov. 18th
Tonight Marie, Tyler, and I went to see our friend Neshma @ Mopitkins downtown Manhattan. I ran into Las Rubias del Norte while waiting for Marie. After Neshma a great jazz-indian hybrid band came on. Drummer, Sunny Jain, was the leader and the band featured a great guitar player named Rez Abbasi.
Nov. 17th
Today was more practicing and planning for the tour. Tonight I went to MOTO early and played a solo set before Krystle came. She brought her guitar and we enjoyed playing through lots of her originals. I stayed late and afterwards went to Black Betty to meet my friends Deshawn and Hagar. The band was cool, like a funk, disco, soul sort of thing, drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards playing to a laptop. When I got home it was very late. On the way I was pulled over for running red lights on my scooter. The cop said that I was very lucky that he’s “not the kind of guy who likes to write a lot of tickets,” and drove off. Yes, I must agree, I am very, very lucky.
Nov. 16th
I woke up and ran down to the police department to report my missing scooter plate. I sat with the officer and filled out paper work for a little under an hour. I came home and met Binho of “Brilho de Luz.” I’m helping him chart out some new music for the band. During our session the police called me and said that the officer had filled out the paper work all wrong and that I would have to come back. Isn’t that great. Anyway, we finished up Binho’s charts and I enjoyed a quiet night at home.
Nov. 15th
I had some time today to practice and work on my tour to the south. I’ve been working on more Wayne Shorter. I love his music. I’m digging into a tune called Pinocchio. I also spent a lot of time on the phone and internet trying to set up last minute dates down south and contacting media outlets. This is going to be a great tour with Brian, Kebbi, and Stockton. I just need to get the word out.
Nov. 14th
I had the great pleasure of playing with Massimo and Ferenc tonight at BOOM. Massimo has been on tour with Lizz Wright for the last 2 months so it was great to play with him again. Before the second set Lionel Loueke showed up to hang out and make me a little nervous. It was so nice of him to stop by and hang with us for a little while. We sat and ate and talked more than ever before. He shared some of his experiences on the road with Herbie and we talked about music. Those guys are the shit.
Nov. 13
Early in the morning and home from my night out, I parked the car that I’m borrowing from Ben on Fort Hamilton Ave. I close the door and before it slams I realize that the keys are still in the ignition. Locked out, I walk to my building where luckily someone is just going in. I’ve managed this first locked door and now I have to wake up Marie. She’s had a long night herself, staying at the party with many friends and a few gin and tonics. I ring the bell for a solid 5 minutes before she wakes up and without a word lets me in and glides back to the bedroom. I start to call locksmiths; I get quotes of $100 or more; I call around some more; I walk to the local gas station in search of a jimmy stick; I search in vain; I decide to email to Ben, whose in Europe, eventhough its much more likely that he’s playing guitar than on the computer. I decide that I’m the luckiest dumbass on the planet when he emails me back and gives me instructions on how to retrieve a spare key. 4am, now, with keys in hand I can rest peacefully. I know I’m lucky.
Nov. 12th
We’ve started a little Fall cleaning on our apartment and the place is looking good. Tonight we went to a friends party in Brooklyn. Nina and Morgan just moved here from San Francisco and seem as excited as we are to be in NYC. I left early to catch my friends Gilfema at the Jazz Gallery. Lionel Loueke, Massimo Biolcati, and Ferenc Nemeth sounded incredible as always. It was so great to see them, hear their amazing music, and catch up with everyone. I saw Claire Muldare Manchon, Chris Vanvoorst Vanbeest, Itai, and other friends. The special guests included Avishai Cohen on trumpet and Gretchen Parlato on Vocals. Afterwards, Tyler and I shot pool in SOHO and I locked Ben’s keys in his car.
Nov. 11th
I was a little pissed off today when I discovered that someone stole the lisence plate from my scooter. Now I need to report it and buy new one. Anyway, I went to Nate’s house for a duo session to work on some Chorinho’s and one of his tricky originals.
Nov. 10th
Great gig at Moto tonight. Lakecia Benjamin sat in again and the audience was wonderful. I stayed late and braved some seriously cold weather home.
Nov. 9th
I had the afternoon to practice and the night to relax. Marie and I chilled at home, cooked dinner and watched a cool old film, “The Sweet Smell of Success.”
Nov. 8th
I was in traffic for about 3 hours this morning while taking my mom to the airport. I came home and rested a little before my night out. I went to two amazing shows tonight. First I was at the Jazz Standard for Hendrick Meurkins CD release party. His guests included my friend Ze Mauricio, Romero Lumbambo, Pedro Ramos, and a great band. Afterwards, I went to the Roseland Ballroom to see my friend Les Hall rock out in Trey Anastasio’s Band. It was a nice intimate venue to see the group and it’s still unbelieveable to see Les up there with Trey.
Nov. 7th
Mom and I had lunch at Dizzy’s before I left for a gig with BTD. We were playing a fundraiser for the Guggenheim Museum. Although I’m not complaining, I have no idea why they hired a band like us for this event. I was there from 2:30pm until Midnight and we playing for a total of 20 minutes. It was unbelieveable. Cyro was kicked out of the building by an uninformed security guard. We were told not to talk and to “just play,” by the promoter and we spent upwards of 4 hours in a small room eating burritos. In light of these extreme circumstances we had a total ball. It was great to see everyone in the band, dress in crazy clothes, and sabotage the social elite. We crashed the party hard and had a great time doing it. Believe me, those 20 minutes of playing were killing!!!
Nov. 6th
After a great brunch in Willamsburg, we spent much of the afternoon in traffic. The NYC Marathon was in full force and blocking traffic throughout the day. We did manage to get uptown and spent an hour in the H&M headquarters. Tyler, Marie, and I were all treated to some more new threads. I bought two pairs of cargo pants and some black dress pants. Later we came back to my house, had a couple of beers, watched an episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and went out for another great meal in Park Slope. Tonight we ate an amazing pasta at Toto and called it an early night.
Nov. 5th
Today we hit the town, ate some great food, and did some shopping. Mom treated me to 4 of my favorite plain long sleeve T’s and a new fall jacket. We ate an amazing seafood dinner in Union Square at The Blue Water Grill. Tonight we saw “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
Nov. 4th
Its great to have Mom in town. I went to meet her this afternoon for lunch before I had to rehearse with the Jazz Ambassadors. We are planning to get together every Friday to prepare for our tour. This is a really great project. We have been playing only original music and everything is sounding wonderful. Tonight Marie, Tyler, Mom, and I had a very late dinner at the famous Peter Luger’s Steak House. Yes, I was a vegetarian and yes I ate a huge, unbelievably tasty Porter House Steak. It was a killer.
Nov. 3rd
Tonight was really amazing. Mom came into town. I had a BTD rehearsal so I left to meet her and Tyler at Moto at 8pm. Tonight I was reunited with Krystle and Solomon after a few months off. We had a really great gig with lots of friends and beautiful soulful music.
Nov. 2nd
It was great to stay home all day today, practicing and planning. I also stayed in all night and watched a cool David Lynch film called Lost Highway.
Nov. 1st
Tonight I went to Manhattan to hear my friend Jerome Sabbagh and his quartet with Ben Monder, Matt Penman, and Otis Brown III. The music was beautiful and it was nice to see everyone. If you have to leave Rio, at least NYC isn’t a bad place to come back too. It’s always amazing to return to such thriving creativity.
