Jez Loves Mindy

Charlie and Arlene of Unity Rockdale

Our dear friend Jennifer and her daughter Kathleen with Janna

Janna, Jez and Bill

Bill and Mindy

The future

Yesterday I saw one of the greatest music TV appearances of the rock era. Nicholas Alan had a spot on a local show called Atlanta and Company. The thing that impressed me the most aside from his brilliant performance of his song A WORLD LIKE OURS, was his confident interview.
This is a guy who knows where he is going and he's gonna get there, I advise anyone reading this to go to -www.nicholasalan.com and get his cd. We heard him play a solo set last night at Smith's Old Bar and he is living proof of the that the singer/songwriter is alive and well in 2005. My niece mentioned upon meeting him for the first time that she felt like she knew him from listening to him sing his songs. They are heartfelt and honest and his vocals are pure perfection.
Before heading to Nick's show, we watched the marching band competition and what a treat it was to hear all the band's. Of course the highlight for me was seeing our son Bill play keys and key bass with The Parkview band for the JAZZ show. He does a fine job with some tasteful Basie bit's on piano and the horns sent chills during A Nightingal Sang In Barkley Square. I wonder if Weather Report ewver imagined Birdland as a marching band vehicle? Some of Jaco's part's were played very nicely by tuba. The song really connected with the audience. Kudo's to Mr Beach, Mr. Magner, Terry and all the kids. I also loved the Gershwin show by Brookwood and it was a kick to hear the Earth Wind and Fire show by Shiloh.
What a great and entertaining night of music.

Rooftop

Last night's gig was pure bliss. Playing jazz on the rooftop of the chamber of commerce. Looking out at Centenial Olympic Park with a breeze blowing.

The tent is for the kids to cool off.

This is what watering the band is all about. They are just about to take a break and this water will be gone in less than a minute, The watering team will then re-fill and prepare for the next break.

As promised here are some pictures of band camp 05. This is the golf cart that transports the watering team and the water,

Last Friday night Sept 9. My old friend Kenny Aronoff played at The Variety Playhouse in Little 5 points with The Bodeans. I got there in time for the last song and Kenny rocked the playhouse. Next to Kenny is Terry Vinyard Percussion teacher at Parkview High School and my daughter Janna's drum teacher.

The Benefit

The Benefit was a great thing. After a meeting with the organisation dedicated to helping musicians affected by Katrina, I headed over to the Jazz Forum to set up and there were already some musician's there ready to play. Scott Fugat AKA The Jazz Evangelist did a fabulous job emceeing and explaining the mission. Some of the highlights for me-
Reuniting with Cooper Tisdale, Tommy Dean,and Greg Mclean Janet Metzger's rendition of Invitation in F minor. Rick Bell's inspiring presence Jeff Andrew Simpson's wonderful energy and his duet with New Orleans Sax player James Martin, and the Trad set that brought down the house with Greg Mclean-Trumpet, Rick Bell-Tenor Sax, and from New Orleans, Tom Fischer.
I am very grateful to all the musician's who participated. When I asked Joel Morris and Bill Hatcher, their response was instant, Let's do it they said and they came to play.

We kicked off the night with a brand new composition in it's second performance. The lyrics are written by Stephen Kalinich who I have been collaborating with on a series of songs for an upcoming cd project.. The song is called One. It's about how all of us can make a difference. The first performance was at our Unity service this morning with my kids as the rhythm section. Tonight's performance felt good as Joel and Hatch layed down the 6/8 gospel groove and I sang the words. These words are part of the trail that led me to plan the benefit.

The second song was our arrangement of The Beatles Blackbird, which we do along with Bye Bye Blackbird going between a funky space for Blackbird into swing for B.B. Blackbird and then back again. At this point Jeff Andrew Simpson joined us for Green Dolphin Street which Jeff renamed Bourbon St. Jeff and James Martin's duet followed which included a great breakdown for the 2 sax's. Freddy came up and played a funky tune with us on the guitar and we closed the first set as we had begun, with some words from The Jazz Evangelist.

Set 2 began with the wonderful vocal styling's of Janet Metzger, who did a blues and the fine version of Invitation. She also played the 2nd to last song of the night in the 3rd set, a Lullaby that was very cool, Back to the 2nd set, next was the Trad set with the horn section. Sweet Georgia Brown and Indiana. This was pure joy. The sound of the 3 horns got some folks dancing and had some amazing interplay. Tom Fischer, and James Martin are just 2 New Orleans musician's that have settled here and we're glad to have them. Next was a real treat, My old friend and brand new Newlywed Cooper Tisdale came up and played the Freddie Hubbard tune Povo along with Rick Bell and the trio.

Set 3 began with Tommy Dean singing a heartfelt and soulful version of Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans followed by The jump swing Caledonia on which we were joined by a guitarist named Trey who also played on Take The A Train. It was such a treat to have Tommy fronting the band. The next act was a little different. His name is J.C. and he played some Memphis blues that really connected with the crowd. Janet's lullaby was followed by a special song by Cooper that he wrote in October 2001 which he sang as a way to commemorate the victims of 9/11 and Katrina.
We raised some money that will be used as seed money for the fund that will help musician's directly affected, I will post the website for the organization in a few days when the site goes up.

Several people and event's inspired me to use our Sunday night jam for this cause, first of all my friend Jerry Boyd in Baton Rouge who in the first couple of days after Katrina set up a fund on the Blueboard(Brian Wilson's site) that enabled Jerry to get help directly to shelter''s in his area. This showed me as Stephen's lyrics say that we can all make a difference, Carol Kaye jumped right in in those day's after Katrina, using her message board to get the word out on a fund that helped re-locate the family of the great drummer Earl Palmer, Stephen Kalinich's words have been a daily inspiration. It's been wonderful to be a part of the daily flow of divine creativity and action.

All in All 9/11/05 was a great night and I personally felt that on a musical level, it was one of the best gigs that I have ever participated in. I'm thankful to have been a part of it and grateful to all the musician's who came and participated and to Steve and Patty and Michael Davis. Special thanks to Scott Fugate and to The Jazz Forum