Last Week in Boston

This last week was a great week for the mallet instruments here in Boston. Gary was in town two Saturdays ago with his quartet and they put on a great show.

Then we had Gustavo and Ed playing vibe duets... Ed and Dave Samuels played a GREAT concert (just too short!) switching back and forth from vibes to marimba with great accompaniment from bass and drums. Dave Samuels has a lot of that 'competition' in his playing that we talked about a few weeks ago on one of those long posts. But in the very best way... he does it in a way that, rather than just show off his technical facility on the instrument, spurs his co-ensemble members on and, to a certain extent, makes THEM look better. But then again... I guess you don't win multiple Grammy's for nothing.

Gustavo had an ensemble masterclass with drummer Yoron Israel and then they had a concert that same evening with a quintet. I've been in contact with Gustavo for a long while (since quite a bit before I got to Berklee) and this was the first time I had the chance to see him play. For those of you who haven't, I hope you get the chance. I could actually see a lot of Ed in him (which is just as much a compliment to Gustavo as it is to his teacher)... the quintet played a lot of difficult tunes (odd forms, time signatures, etc.) without having much/any rehearsal time (a Berklee tradition) and Gustavo did a great job navigating those dangerous waters and turning it all into coherent musical thoughts.

Dave Samuels and Victor Mendoza also played a tune each at the faculty blow out concert at the end of the week.

Just want to make sure you all know that not only you Europeans were in for vibe paradise over this past week... we're not slowing down on this side of the pond either! ;)

James