It’s holiday hangin’ time once again! Friends and family are the priority and it feels great to just hang out, relax a bit and let time stand still here and there. Don’t let the hype get to ya. There’s no need to scramble around and buy a bunch of crap. The need is for LESS SPEED, way less greed and pausing to take heed of what’s special, indeed.
On that note, back in April Pam and I took a vacation to the birthplace of Jazz. While there, I was determined to sit in SOMEWHERE! We were hanging out at the hotel on a Wednesday afternoon looking for something to do, the interwebs turned up the Candlelight Lounge in Treme where the Treme Brass Band lays it down every Wednesday night. Well DANG! Put on your wig woman, we’re going out to shake and finger POP! Pammie and I grabbed a cab and took a ride up to Treme with the weedle pipe in tow. When we pulled up in front of the club a fine gentleman came to open the door of the cab for us but our driver pulled away, reluctant to let us get out!? He was worried about us white folk up there in that part of town. When we finally escaped from this misguided dude’s cab we found ourselves on the street with a bunch of people hanging out and getting ready for the show. Pam and I stepped inside the club and found another large group of warm, friendly people enjoying a night out with friends, getting ready for some kickin’ music & dancing. There was free red beans and rice being served up in the back of the room and folks were talking and smiling and having a great time.
When the band finally kicked in, I listened to a tune and then went up and asked if I could sit in. They gave me the once over and said okay. I grabbed my horn and pulled up a chair and commenced to having the time of my life. After the tune I got up to go back to my seat but they said hang out and play. YEAH! I played every moment i could and had an absolute HOOT.
When I went back to our table a the guy at the next table introduced himself as a photographer from France in NOLA to shoot a photo story on the musicians of NOLA and asked if I sat in there often and how t was to sit in with musicians in NOLA. I was VERY excited about playing and sitting in so I’m sure I blathered on about some nonsense. He then asked if it was cool if he shot some pics while I was sitting in and gave me one of his cards. I said hell yes but it wasn’t my band, obviously, and if it was cool with the band then it was cool with me.
I never thought I’d hear from Sebastien Chaillot again but about a month ago I got an email from him with some photos attached. Thanks Sebastien. That was a BLAST and I’m very thankful you shared your images with me. Those folks in Nawlens know family, and chillin’ and letting time stand still.
Happy Holidays to all and thanks to everyone who takes a moment to chill and listen to some live music with a friend or two. We can’t live without you! ’tis the time for private parties and such but once and a while we surface and show ourselves. Here are a few such occurrences:
Friday, December 6th, 7PM – The PMAC Jazz Festival, The Dance Hall, Kittery – This is ALL the jazz groups at the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center and it’s their time to relax and stretch out a little. You’ll hear the Jazz Pioneers, The Jazz Adventurers, The PMAC Youth Jazz Ensemble and the Brewery Lane Big Band. There will also be some faculty ringers in the bands so it should be a fun night. Come on out and check out the PMAC K=Jazzers!
Sunday, December 8th, 10AM – 2CCuCC Jazz Service, 2nd Christian Congregational Church, Kittery ME – Pastor Brad Hirst and Musical Director Mike Effenberger cook up a jazz version of their weekly service featuring Jim Rudolf and myself in a supportive role of Brad’s sermon and the 2CCUCC choir’s music. Always a thoughtful experience. JOIN US!
Sunday, December 8th, 4PM – JOSA Jazz Featuring Vocalist Giacomo Gates, Eastman, Grantham, NH – The JOSA series kicks off this year with Giacomo Gates, a great vocalist and VERY funny story teller. Join musical director Bill Wightman on piano, Don Williams on Bass, Tim Gilmore on drums and myself on saxes while we bring Giacomo’s music to the often sellout crowds at Eastman. There may still be a ticket or two!