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Krystle and Solomon in Charleston

Oct. 31st

Start off the day with a brunch at Dizzy’s, scoot over to manhattan to tool around and check the Halloween Parade until we end up at a cool party in Harlem. The parade was spectacular with puppets, goblins, and political satire to boot. Saw Krystle play with the Faculty at her house in Harlem. She was pretty good, but her opening band “the plural nouns” kicked ass. I’m knocking on wood for you Krystle.

Oct. 30th

Just came home from a halloween party at Nicola’s house in the East Village. She has some pretty nice digs. The normally fantastic view was obstructed by the unusual and haunting fog. It was a perfect night for the vast variety of ghouls, goblins, comics, and cronies on the scene. There were tons of cool costumes and I’m sure tomorrow will bring even more interesting characters. I saw my friend Caroline (from anderson) at Ame Russe tonight. She is a few years younger than me and has known me for a long time (being from anderson and all). It was really nice to talk to her, as she had lots of positive and encouraging things to say. She did however, say that my website is the most narcissistic thing that she’s ever seen. Well, come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve seen too many “more” narcissistic things, but I’m not ashamed. Yes Caroline, I’m vain, I’m an ass hole, and I’m not sorry!!! Great to see you. After the party Marie and I rode the scooter across the Manhattan Bridge for the first time as a duo. I found some wood and we made it home alright.

Oct. 29th

We had a really nice gig at Moto last night. There were tons of people there to see a fantastic exhibit of light emitting sculptures. We played a few short sets and hung out with lots of friends. I’ve been working on some tunes. A couple of things have come out and I’ll just have to wait and see if I like them or not. One is a very dark drum and bass type of thing and the other is the lightest and most hummable samba you could imagine. I think if I make a habit of writing and do it all the time then I’ll just have more material to pick from for different projects. I’ll have to make sure that goes better than the caffeine strike.

Oct. 28th

Another scooter ride from Park Slope to Harlem and I think the city is finally mine. I know her layout (at least I can see it now in my mind). Seeing things above ground and moving through the traffic from one place to the next makes it all seem more clear. What a beautiful day for an adventure. This may be one of the last before winter strikes. I made it to a rehearsal with Krystle over some new covers for our gigs. I also did a gig at BOOM. I ran into Michael Bellar for I think the first time since being in NYC. Its amazing that I can be in such a huge city, you know its huge, with millions of people, and still just today I ran into at least three people that I know. Everyday is an adventure.

Oct. 27th

I’m going to write new music. I want to create a repertoire for the recording I’m planning for December. I want to do something new, from scratch. I thought about writing themes to some of my memories of growing up in Anderson. I could express some of those experiences with music. I thought about the lake and how we use to do the rope swings. We use to go hunting for rope swings all over the upstate. We use to jump off the tressel and go to Clemson to slide down the mossy damn. There’s music in those memories for sure.

Oct. 26th

I mailed off my Ambassadors package today, went to the bank, and spent and hour scanning the press from our tour into JPEG. Now I’m going to practice. Check out the “press” page…please.

Oct. 25th

I found this amazing website today about the instrument that I’m lately obsessed with. The kashaka are a west african percussion instrument made of two gourds tied together by a string. I’ve mastered a couple of grooves but this new site has instructional video and enough info to keep me occupied for months. I love the freaking internet!!!

Oct. 24th

Marie and I rented some Woody Allen movie, made some meatball pasta, and snuggled up on the couch to watch. It was awesome. Its amazing how much fun it can be to do nothing. Marie your the shit!!!

Oct. 23rd

Gig at Ame Russe was nuts. Lots of people, loud talking, acoustic instruments. Anyway, we made it and afterwards I slept, and slept, and slept some more.

Oct. 22nd

Going back to the Apple store today. My poor little baby ipod is giving me some trouble. I’m a victim of 21st century technology. The things you own, it seems, truly do own you in the end.

Oct. 21st

“Just close it” – FrancoPinna

We had a nice quiet gig at BOOM last night. The trio with Franco and Itai played through some choro, jobim, and coletrane. Its time to start investigating some new repertoire and there are plenty of things that I want to look at. Afterwards I went by the Knitting Factory to hang with my friends from Jump. They all seem to be doing really well. Looks like Jay will have a hit song in Australia that he wrote for a female artist there. Johnny is about to have a baby, but now he’s got pink eye and the flu. Ouch… Everyone else seems to be doing well and I enjoyed another moment of pure happiness last night when I went to bed. I was lying with Marie just before falling asleep and I could feel people sending me good thoughts and silent prayers. I felt strong, peaceful, loved, and completely in the moment.

Oct. 20th

I’ve been talking with my friend Duane Evans in Greenville about doing a recording over the holidays. He does commercial music and has an amazing studio in greenville SC. I want to document my collaboration with Brian Mulholland. Brian is an amazing musician and a good friend. We’re both from anderson and have had annual concerts there for 5 years (I think). Anyway the concerts that we’ve done have always been a ball and I think something that we both look forward to each year. I know we could make a really nice recording and hopefully we will.

Oct. 19th

Played at Ame Russe with VanvorstVanbast. We had a good time doing an intimate duo gig. I love being back in NYC and being able to hook up with so many different and amazing players. Spent most of the day practicing and trying to come up with a name for the ambassadors quartet. We’re down to two choices jogando quartet and agora quartet. Most of the people that I’ve asked like agora better. Its easier to remember for those who don’t know portugese and less obvious to those that do. Still this group has 4 so we’ll need to hear from everyone. Hopefully we can nail something down by the end of the week. Jogando means playing and agora means now. We’ve got to settle this agora.

Oct. 18th

6am – I made it home…I’m going to bed.

Oct. 17

After a late start leaving charleston, including a brunch at Sermets with Q, we hit the road ready for 13 hours of driving.

Oct. 16

Our last gig on the tour was a private party in Charleston. We made it, we did a good job, and everyone lived happily ever after.

Tyler, thanks for letting us crash at your house. I love you.

Oct. 15

Friday was a drive to Columbia and a gig at Meritage. My cousin Joseph and I have always been close and It is always great to see him when I am in town. He is happier than ever and It has everything to do with Love. I’ve never seen Joe like this and after meeting Laura she seems to deserve his reaction. I wish you all the best Joe!!!

Oct. 14

An early drive back to Charleston gives us plenty of time to prepare for our long day that includes a clinic, a concert, and an afterparty jam session. I was well prepared for my second ever clinic at the college of charleston. Luckily when I found out that no one had actually brought their instruments to play, as I had planned, I remembered some things I had learned from my friend and fellow ambassador Scott Kettner. I asked every one to stand in a circle and taught them how to dance to and clap some of the different rhythms that I have learned. We ended up having a great time, mine especially obvious by the sweat on my face.

When we stepped out onto the stage at the College of Charleston we walked into an enthusiastic applause. Robert Lewis (director of jazz studies) made a very kind introduction and I felt comfortable from the first note. Everyone sounded amazing. Itai played with fluidity and wit, Solomon and Franco held us all together, and Krystle made quite an entrance in her borrowed duds from the Theatre department. We played through a set of our best material

Samba D’ Orfeu, Giant Steps, Nature Boy, Blackbird, Sparkle and Fade, I get along Without you very Well, Uma Zero, Central Park, and Song for Holly

The concert was a success and a highlight of our tour. Charleston has been one of the best things that ever happened to me. Thank you!!!

Afterwards at the jam session we had a ball. We had cats from the college, columbia, and everywhere else sitting in and sounding great. My hero Quentin Baxter made it over too and it was amazing to play with him again after so long. There was a crazy energy in the room, maybe because Quincy Jones was in the restaurant (no shit), and it was a great way to end a great day.

Oct. 13th

“Well I do declare that young man sounds like shit” – Meme (we’ll not really, but wouldn’t that be hillarious)

Relaxing in anderson, we throw frisbee in the yard and watch bad TV. Sound check at 4pm looks promising as Franco Solomon and I take control. When we arrive at the club I feel a nervous energy because the place is once again packed. My family is there, Meme, Esther Anne, Edgar, Mom, Dad, Patsy, Beth, Jerry, and all their Children. Also lots of old friends and parents of old friends lingering about. John, the club owner, makes a nice introduction and we’re into some good music. The sets went great and the response was encouraging. Afterwards I got to catch up with some friends including Jenny, C.C., and Amy. It was good to see them and as long supporters of my music, to get their insights on my future. Everyone seems to be doing well and full of nice things to say. Thanks to everyone in Anderson for making it such a pleasure to come home!!!

Oct. 12

Mom your too good to me, and the rest of the band this week. We had some serious eating to do once we got to my moms house in Anderson. It was vegetable soup, ham, sausage, and cornbread. Why did I ever move away from home? Oh yeah I remember now. We drove to ashville and enjoyed a beautiful ride through the mountains. We got to Zambras with plenty of time to set up and eat an amazing meal of Spanish Tapas. Franco was especially impressed by the fine selection of Olive Oil. Once again people lost their minds over the music. Krystle had people crying, and the group went over well. We headed north back to anderson feeling good with our performance and the reaction to it. We quickly fought through the fog and landed back at Moms house for a title bought with a huge plate of lasagne. Thanks Mom!!!

Oct. 11

“Empty as a drum? Fuck you!!!” – Franco after hearing Norah Jones “Don’t know Why”

Stuck in traffic for an hour getting out of charleston, we drove the 4 hours to the Handle Bar in Greenville. When we finally arrived an hour late, I was surprised to see that people had waited to hear us. And again surprised when people clapped after solos and completely shut up once Krystle started to sing. The show was a success and a great start to the concert portions of our tour. There was a nice article in the Metrobeat and Krystle seemed to did the fact that she was referred to as our “secret weapon.”

Oct. 10th

The guys all went to the beach with Tyler and I ran some errands around Charleston. I was passing out flyers and telling people about our concert on Thursday night. We played at Jason and Jen’s wedding and had a ball. Afterwards everyone was whooped up tired so we crashed.

Oct. 9th

On the road all night from 2am to 4pm the next afternoon. I took the majority of the driving duties and we made it to my brothers house unharmed. That night we hung out at the Thai palace “basil” and had champagne at Marie’s house. The champagne was to celebrate the fact that I was chosen as a 2005 Jazz Ambassador. I can’t believe it.

Oct. 8th ‘04

“When you meet your friend on the roadside or in the market place, let the spirit in you move your lips and direct your tongue. Let the voice within your voice speak to the ear of his ear; For his soul will keep the truth of your heart as the taste of the wine is remembered. When the colour is forgotten and the vessel is no more.” – Kahlil Gibran

Oct. 7 ‘04

Things are coming together. Leaving tomorrow for Charleston, SC. Talked to my hero Quentin and he’s going to be in town to come hang and play with us at the after party. The articles should be in the City Paper on Wednesday and then the Post and Courier on Thursday. We really need to rehearse, but there will be time for that.

Oct. 6 ‘04

Ipod got me down. Little baby won’t hold its battery charge. Walking through the crack on the streets in SOHO yesterday. Feeling nice and rested and I waited to start the gig. The club was dead, we played well, 5 people clapped loud, listened attentively, and made me feel like playing some more.

Oct. 5 ‘04

Really cool night. I hung out with Ricky Mullahand, my friend from high school. It was so great to hear all of his stories about our old friends. He’s doing really well and owns a restaurant and wine bar in Columbia, SC. Hopefully we’ll be playing there over the holidays. Its just amazing how time flies and I must say I feel good about growing up. Gaining so much perspective on things that once seemed overwhelming makes me look forward to age and wisdom. Great to hang with you Ricky…

Oct. 4 ‘04

Its a battle to the finish. The mighty DMV is trying once again to destroy me. I must the swift, I must be patient, but most of all I must be unaffected by unbridled indifference and incompetence. Oh the trials and tribulations of the United States Motorist. Its a frightening thought just how much bullshit I will have to endure simply because I lost my damn drivers licence. Still I must persevere. Tomorrow we battle once more!!! To the bat mobile.

Oct. 3 ‘04

Just got home from a long day of gigs. I did Avra duo with Franco and then Ame Russe with Franco and Krystle. Between gigs I talked with my mom and she said that Meme got my letter. My grandmother is 87 years old and still kickin. Its amazing how happy a little letter can make her, so I’m always happy when I take the little bit of time required to send her something. I called her tonight and I said “I love you Meme.” She loves me too and I think that is fucking awesome. I’m excited to go home and its only a week away.

Oct. 2 ‘04

Tal sat in with Itai and I last night at Ame Russe. We pulled out the book and worked through our strongest repertoire to some great affect. I was in a funky mood at first and then the music saved me. The noisy chatter of that lower east side hang was the last thing I heard before my surrender to the wind and screaming traffic of a scooter ride home. I plucked Marie off of her Atlantic Ave. perch and zoomed longingly towards my couch. Half a Sopranos episode later, with my lover in my arms, I drifted off to sleep.

Oct. 1 ‘04

October already, damn. Been dealing with SC tour stuff all week and can’t really believe that we’re leaving in 7 days. It looks like everything is coming together. I just did 2 more interviews for papers in Anderson and Greenville. I’m mostly excited to see mom, dad, and tyler. It seems like a long time and I really miss them. Last night went well at MOTO. I really love that place. We had a small but extremely appreciative crowd (it felt like an actual concert…whew) Today I watched the presidential debates at NYtimes.com I think Kerry would make a good president. I like his attitude of diplomacy and patience. I think that the US has to set an example for the world and that there is no excuse (9/11 or not) to go to war without exhausting all other options. I know the circumstances are extremely complicated in the Middle East, but I believe in leading through example. What a crazy time to be alive.