November, 2004
Tyler and I getting way out of hand.
Nov. 30th
I was practicing most of the morning and making some phone calls. Marie came home from her holiday and we went for some dinner. We had goulash and it was mmmm…good.
Nov. 29th
Spent the day winding down after the busy weekend. I just relaxed at the house and had some time to myself. Later I played a gig in Brooklyn with Krystle and her voice had recovered.
Nov. 28
We took Mom into the city early and let her loose on some of the cooler shops on Broadway. She scored big when she found the purses in China Town. Mom is a total task master. Around 5pm we came back to the house and took in a little more sleep. We are a sleeping bunch. I went to my gig at Barbes with the Finnish Folk Singers. The gig went really well. The girls had a great crowd and it was really fun to play with Scott and Rob Curto. Rob is a great accordionist and we played a tricky and beautiful tune that he composed. It was a fun night. Afterwards, Mom, Tyler and I ate at Rice Thai Kitchen and Tyler and I went back to Barbes for a couple more beers. We ended up riding the scooter home in the rain at 3 in the morning. Yet another of the infinite number of dumb and dumber moments that the scooter can provide.
Nov. 27th
We slept in after our overindulgent night, and didn’t make it out of the house until around five pm. Mom and Tyler took in a movie while I did the gig at Ame Russe.
Nov. 26th
Mom, Tyler, and I woke up early and went to the Thanksgiving Day Parade. We stopped to eat at a really nice diner on 9th ave. and 44th st. and headed downtown to catch the Staten Island Ferry. By the time we got there it had started to rain. Luckily the trip wasn’t entirely in vain, as we found an amazing gourmet food store having a sale on whole turkeys. Bird in hand, we caught the train back up to Harlem where we had plans to celebrate thanksgiving with Krystle, Solomon, and friends. After a long and crowded train ride we arrived to find our hosts adding the finishing touches to an incredible feast. Turkey, Ham, Casserole, Gravy, and Stuffing danced in my stomach for the rest of the night. We drank wine and shared music from the Beatles to Grant Green. It was a memorable thanksgiving and I know my Mom and Tyler had a great time. After eating and drinking ourselves silly, and sending mom safely home in a cab, someone suggested a Karaoke nightcap. Krystle, Solomon, Tyler, Yoav, Melissa, Emery, and I headed to the east village and into Sing Sing. Oh lord, I don’t think what I did could be called singing, but my throat hurt the next day. We did Gin and Juice, Shook me all night Long, Paul Revere, all leading up to an epic rendition of Metallica’s classic “master of puppets” Tyler and I closed the place down and made our way back to brooklyn like a two headed Dionysus. Thanksgiving 2004 biaaccchh.
Nov. 25
I played with Itai and Mathias Kundsli at BOOM. We had a nice gig. My mom and brother came into town and we all sat together for a little while before I sent them home to rest up for Thanksgiving. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!
Nov. 24th
I woke up early for a rehearsal with the Finnish Folk Singers. I finally had the chance to play with Rob Curto. He’s a great accordionist and knows his brazilian music. He brought a nice tune that he wrote for us to play at Barbes this weekend. Later I had a duo gig with Vanvorst Vanbast. We had a good time but the noisy crowd made the gig seem a little long.
Nov. 23rd
I spent the day practicing and then caught a movie with Marie. We saw the original version of the Manchurian Candidate. This is an incredible film and stars “old blue eyes” himself.
Nov. 22nd
I went to see my good friend and fellow Jazz Ambassador, Scott Kettner at S.O.B.’s. It gave me a nice feeling to see him doing his thing and with great success. The place was packed and everyone really seemed to enjoy it. Scott is one of the most passionate people I know, and I know lots of passionate people! Congratulations Bro…Keep up the good work!!!
Nov. 21st
Solomon, Krystle, and I had a great gig at Ame Russe. A few people came by to see us again and sing our praises. They ask us what we’re doing there, tell us how amazing we are, and assume we hear that all the time. Well, actually, positive reinforcement is always welcome. Our new friends told an amazing story of their trip to Italy. They we’re playing our CD from a patio within earshot of a local restaurant. At the end of each tune the diners would applaud. When the CD was finished, our friend played another one that was not as well received. The owner of the restaurant walked over and asked if he would “please play the first CD, everyone wants to hear it again!!!”
WOW!!! I’ve got to get to Italy…Thanks John for sharing that with us.
Nov. 20th
Krystle and I played at Ame Russe as a duo. We had a good time mixing up some of our material in new ways. Marie, Taylor, Kristen, Bentley, and Chase showed up later and we all had a good ole time “anderson” style. Taylor took us to a rock club called “lite.” I felt like I was in a scene from the Matrix.
Nov. 19th
We had another awesome audience at Cafe Moto last night. Marie brought the whole Depth of Field crew out, and it was great to catch up with everyone. Tommy and I talked for a long while and it was really great to hear his positive praise and share his optimism in general. The band ran through some nice tunes and we seemed to be particularly on. The audience was so respectful and quiet, I don’t see how else we could have been.
Nov. 18th
I woke up and checked my email as always. I got a message from krystle with subject: gig. So I get myself together and I head over to Marcus Garvey Nursing home on St. Marks st. between Brooklyn Ave. and New York ave. I find Krystle there relieved to see me and we make our way to the cafeteria where we will be performing for the residence. I’m not sure what triggered it, but somewhere at half way through our set, these very much older ladies and gentlemen get up and start dancing. This one lady in particular was cutting such a mean rug, getting in our faces and struttin her stuff. I thought she was gonna bust a moonwalk or a windmill, put on a leather jacket and make us to call her “turbo.” It was a nice afternoon and a perfect opportunity to fulfill my promise to Ellen Dressler Moryle. She payed me for a performance last year that was cancelled due to the weather and asked if I would please play in a Nursing home for her. Well, I did it…and it was fun as hell.
Nov. 17th
After the gig at Boom (which was allot of fun playing with Franco and Itai), I ran into my new friend Jennifer and walked over to 55 bar. It was a nice conversation as we walked from Soho to Greenwich Village. Once there, we saw some great music with Dave Binney, Gary Versace, Dan Weiss, and an otherwise slamming band. When the band finished were all hanging out. I ran into my friend Yoni and saw tons of other cats there on the scene. I keep running into Josh Roseman and I met a nice singer named Emily. I need to hang at 55 bar more often…great place.
Nov. 16
Went out with my friend Ron to hear some music in the city. We ended up at Cornelia Street Cafe to hear Scott Dubois. He has a killing band with Mark Ferber on drums and Loren Stillman on saxaphones. Allot of the music was very composed with sections for free improv. I can tire very easily of free improv if its not done with musicality and taste. I had a great time at this gig. These guys had the bases covered. We all had great hang afterwards. Another awesome night in NYC.
Nov. 15
Solomon, Franco, Itai, Krystle, and I went into the studio at 11pm for a session with my friend De as engineer. We ran through 6 tunes and took for the most part one complete take of each tune. There are some funny things here and there but many wonderful moments. Its easy to play and sound great with such incredible musicians. I had a blast and I’m itching to record more. I was there until 7 in the morning listening.
Nov. 14
Marie, Ron, and I grabbed brunch at Dizzy’s. Later Ron’s friend Nathan joined us. We walked around in Park Slope, did some window shopping and later Marie and I got a movie to take home. She wants me to help her find a new couch and a coffee table for the living room. I’m not into looking for couches and coffee tables, but I love Marie.
Nov. 13
Marie, Ron, Krystle and I hung out at our apartment for the afternoon. It was really fun listening to lots of Jorge Ben, Rufus Wainright, Nick Drake, and more. Later Krystle and I made our way over to Ame Russe for the gig.
Nov. 12
We played at Ame Russe. It was fun and seemed to go by fast. I spent the day practicing and listening to music.
Nov. 11th
I had the whole group at MOTO tonight. It was kryslte, solomon, itai, and franco. We played through some of the tunes I hope to record on Monday. The gig was fun and the first time drinking beer since the fast. Mmmmmm beer. I hung out late and listened to Lakecia talk shit.
Nov. 10th
Been doing the thing lately. Played at Boom with Itai and Ferenc Nementh. He’s from Hungary and an amazing drummer. We had lots of fun especially when we became backup singers for the open mic jam. Whewww…
Nov. 9th
I’ve had a couple of days off and I’ve been thinking allot about an upcoming recording session. I’m taking Ruby Rosa into Quad studios in Manhattan for a session on Monday. My friend De from CofC is working there and he is helping to make it happen. Quad is a top notch NYC studio with all the works. I’m excited to see what we’ll sound like there. Otherwise, the fast is over and eating is wonderful.
Nov. 8th
After a long 3rd day of fasting, Marie and I decided to break it last night. We sat down to some fruit, vegetables, and rice and savored every single bite. It would be amazing if we could appreciate our food that much every time we eat. The fast was actually a very nice experience. It helped me to see the world in a new way once again. It forces you to slow things down, be calm and accept control of your body. Its so easy to forget that we have total control of what we eat.
Nov. 7th
I haven’t eaten anything all day. Today has been a day for lemonade with cayenne pepper and maple syrup. I am feeling pretty good and most of the time I’m not starving. The thing I certainly miss the most is COFFEE. Played tonight at Ame Russe with Krysle and Solomon and made it home fine.
Nov. 6th
Woke up with a bit of a hang over and did some practicing. Marie and I are starting a 3 day fast tomorrow so I’m only supposed to eat fruit and steamed vegetables. This will be my second ever fast and I’m trying to get myself in the right frame of mind. Its hard to break this routine I have going right now. It consists of waking up late, drinking lots of coffee, practicing all day, going to the gig, and hanging out. I love my life. Still the caffeine has me in its grasp and I don’t seem to want my freedom.
Nov. 5th
We had a really nice gig at Cafe Moto last night. The audience was very respectful and quiet. In addition to Krystle and her consistently amazing self, we had another great singer named Gregory sit in with us. His style contrasted nicely and made the whole evening that much better. Also, my good friends were all there. Marie, Bentley, Taylor, Kristen, and Jannika came to hang out. I drank lots of beer and had a ball. Yes Tyler, it was just like 90210.
Nov. 4th
I woke up at 8pm to head up to Manhattan College where I was asked to substitute teach a guitar class by my friend Julio Santillan. I was my first ever “class” guitar lesson and I had a really good time. Most of the students (about 10 of them) have experience and a couple are absolute beginners. I was able to show them some things that they could easily play and everyone seemed to have fun and feel involved. I look forward to doing it again next week.
Nov. 3rd
Woke up to NPR and the news that Bush wins a second term. They were interviewing people throughout the world to gage the global reaction to bush’s reelection. I think a British headline said it best…”Bush wins ‘Get over it’.”
Nov. 2
Being election night there was nobody at the gig at Ame Russe. Itai and I had a good time however, after finding out that Bush had won Florida, I headed home with a heavy heart.
Nov. 1st
Working very methodically through some Coletrane changes and I find the time zooming past. I ran some errands, grabbed a movie, and came home to make my fettucine and meat sauce. Yes thats right “meat” sauce. After a relative 5 years of Vegetarianism (thanks Mandy), I’m a fully recovered meat eater. I’ve gotta admit that its pretty tasty, just stay away from the hot dogs. I found this cool artist today on the internet, a guitarist named ana vidovic. She’s 23, beautiful, and plays unearthly classical guitar. WOW. There is a webcast on the Kennedy Center page that I highly recommend checking out.
