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VERY BLESSED

hey all ....

my time to babble.. on and on

the last couple mouth of definately been a developmental life situation stage...whew

so much positive energy has gone toward our move to southern oregon.

AFter over two years of not playing at music. i have found myself both feet heavily ingrained in the rogue valley music scene. im currently playing keyboardist in " MONK."

Unofficial Notice - Philly Workshop

I decided to try and set up a workshop in August here in Philly.

We'll have a bass player and drummer (at least 1 set, more depending on how many people sign up).

This is the unofficial notice! The dates will be August 15th and 16th. The workshop will be at the University of the Arts.

On the 14th I'm also playing at Chris' at night. So if anyone comes in early, come hang out.

More Details will be coming. Just wanted to put the unofficial word out. This will be an annual event, so as they grow we can get more pros in to hang with us.

The plan is.

Early Summer: Ireland

Skylark

I was chatting with my Dad tonight and he mentioned he heard Skylark on the radio and thought it would be nice to learn.

I couldn't find it in my two fake books, which I am surprised. I thought it was a popular standard.

I started doing some research and hit on this album from Boz Scaggs, who I remember from the 70's ("Lido Shuffle", anyone?).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001J10RLG/ref=sr_1_album_12_rd?ie=UTF…

The interesting part of all of this was that I heard vibraphone in some of the songs. It was Mike Mainieri (vibes/marimba).

Am D7 GMaj7 Bm7b5

I am working on "Somewhere In the Night" by Milton Raskin and Billy May. I first heard it on Cal Tjader's "Soul Sauce" album. See "Check This Out" link. I can't find the sheet music so I am trying to figure out the changes. I stopped listening the recordings and just played some chords that I thought sounded good with the melody. I don't know if I have the changes right or not. I'll work on that more another time. I put these chords into BIAB and started jamming with it. Spent a couple hours tonight. Had fun. Here is a snippet from my jamming and the backing track.

Practicing

When I practice it takes me a good hour before I can really start to get somewhere. It seems like for me that that first hour doesn't really even count although i have to do it to get past everything else. Get past what? The day, the crap, the business, the other side of the brain stuff.

I think of that and I want to pass it on. I can't imagine I'm unique, most of us must have this buffer that we have to get past. It's probably important to find out where your buffer ends and make a note of it.