A mallet ensemble Gary played with as a child. Really a great photo. I wonder how many of them went on to be mallet players? - Tony Miceli

Here's the Burton grip and the Gary at age 8. What's amazing is if you read his story about how he thought about his grip, well that's cool enough. However, he thought about this all at age 8. Now that's brain power. -Tony Miceli

Oh no! Not more Giant Steps! Thought I would test drive the new video system with this link from You Tube. Peace, Steve

Found this on the net. - Tony Miceli

Here's the proof. Gary opened up for Cream.

I remember someone telling me (way back in the day) that he really wasn't a hippie but grew his hair long so he'd get gigs!! If it's not true it's pretty funny and if it is true it's pretty smart I think. Anyway he's right here on the site so maybe Gary you can tell us, TRUE or FALSE.

It's interesting that he WAS on this circuit because I think to crossover like that is a real testimony to your music, especially back then. IMHO!

PS, Tom Beckham sent me the images!

I may not be the greatest expert on the biography of Claire Musser, founder of the company that bears his name and that dominates in the mallet instrument field. However, I have played Musser instruments since I was six years old (this is my 60th year playing Musser!), and I did have a few encounters with this colorful character, an individual who was largely responsible for increasing mallet instrument visibility in the early years.

David Friedman sent me this. -
Thought you might like this. It says! "Music makes you happy" and down on the right, "Housework, as well". Maybe Marie would get a kick out of it!.

in 1995 the college i briefly taught at brought in Clark Terry to play for a jazz festival. I was the guy picked to pick him up a the Airport in Chicago.. what an adventure. the college was a couple hours from chicago and i had never been to chicago never mind drove there..finally arrived a the airport.. got stuck in the one way lane so it took me atleast an hour to get to the parking for pick up .. whew .. i pulled and met John, cant think of his last name, but he was clarks personal manager.. he brought clark out in a wheel chair... and as soon as clark got in the car ..

I found this file from a few months ago. I was talking to a student about practicing but not practicing. Made me think of our talk here on the site about practicing.

I will just play tunes to work on anything, technical stuff, form stuff, rhythm stuff, stride stuff. I was telling a pretty smart ass student that came over for a lesson. He seemed VERY spoiled. He insisted it was impossible to practice technique when trying to make music. I insisted that's sort of what you are doing any time you play!

Here's another track from my gig with Steve Giordano and John Swana.

Here's the thing about this music for me. Steve has a T-Shirt and it's sort of a joke.... It says 'Avante Guarde - Unfortunately Where Every Note is the Right Note'. I LOVE that shirt, it's just funny. I don't agree with it, but the satire is a real satire of the Avante Guarde. There's a lot of amazing music in the 'Avante Guarde' but I get the point of his t-shirt and actually like that point. However any music played with great musicians, with integrity and with honesty is going to be great no matter what it is.