Who am I?

No, I am not getting all philosophical(yet) on here-- I just want the readers and visitors to the website to know who they are dealing with-- no one-sided simpleton with a few hobbies.

Yes, I am in a top 40's band currently that plays clubs around the state.
Yes, I do play weddings on piano, classical and jazz guitar, lute, violin, and whatever is called for.
Yes, I am in a wedding rock band that has played for the past 2 years.

Did you know that at one time I was part of 4 orchestras? Bates. Bowdoin, AVCO, and ASO. AVCO has disbanded because of lack of funds, but the other 3 are going strong if I have the time. I play 1st chair violin and I enjoy classical music on a very high level. I can experience it on guitar, piano or lute, but the thrill of moving with a large number of people in a symphony is amazing. I hope I can experience it this fall again.

Yes I teach private music lessons.
Did you know I teach ballroom dance? It started as private lessons and then the opportunity arose to have a night free and a studio space. I just finished a summer session and a fall session begins in two weeks.

I teach in multiple locations as well. At a store located in a mall, at student's houses, at two art centers and at my own house. I am juggling a schedule that is ever-changing.

Practice? Yes, of course I practice. I practice in between students, at night after a long day of work, and in the morning to wake myself up and stretch. The instrument that will be displayed the soonest gets the attention- or whatever strikes my fancy. Some people meditate-- this is my meditation. Some instruments work better, but all come from the heart.

Is this all I am?
No way!!

I just wanted to inform all of you that my path is always varied and my skills are many. You can only speak from authority if you have been there.

Weddings this weekend: Kate and Josh

Leaving from Adam's wedding broke my heart, but I had a job to do and two other musicians that I had to lead into victory. This was planned months in advance, and yet we were unsure of how we were going to take on the music up until one week before.
The band was basically a configuration of Mere Point, the jazz band formed years earlier in Brunswick for a birthday party. On this gig, Mitch Thomas played keys and Ray Libby played woodwinds (sax, clarinet and flute). I played jazz guitar and violin for the klezmer songs-- that is right, klezmer! This wedding was an amalgamation of Jewish and Catholic traditions-- brought together by food and love. We brought it together with jazz and klezmer.

Here is the couple getting pics taken before the ceremony. The bride, Kate, made this hutzpah in wood shop. It fit the surroundings-- we were playing the Boothbay Harbor Botanical Gardens.

Here we are playing a klezmer song-- my violin tells me that!

Here is an example of the many paths that swivel around thousands of species of flowers. There was also wildlife that you wouldn't normally see (rabbits, different bird species).

This should have been used-- maybe I will go back and play classical guitar under it!

Even the monkey bars have been taken over by flora!

Here the couple is discussing something-- possibly prior to the eating of biscotti!

This was definitely a jazz song--- and I am sure that we loved it.

Woodchips hit the sky once the couple parted. We played Siman Tov and then we were alone, save for a couple that showed up late. They ended up with a private show.

Till death do us part? Apparently not!

Weddings this weekend: Adam and Amanda's!

One of my good friends had a wedding this weekend-- Adam Ames. We grew up together and I cannot say that I would be where I am today, as involved in music and as critical of it, if it were not for him. We could talk in depth about anything vague for hours and get to another place-- I always felt better after talking with him. He turned me onto so many bands and ideas, showed me how to multi-track record, and gave me metaphors for how to subjectively understand music. I feel bad that we haven't kept in touch too often, so I was surprised to learn that I was going to be his best man in his wedding. He told me a year in advance and I put it on a calendar. During the summer, my busiest wedding season, I had been booking gigs like normal without any idea that they would conflict with anything else. Adam's finacee emailed and gave me the date for the wedding-- on the exact day of another wedding I had to play at. Luckily, I would be able to make his wedding and only miss the reception-- which I heard about later and how great it was. I felt bad all day and I haven't fully apologized to him for powers out of my hands, but I hope this blog eventually makes it into his vision.

Here is Adam and Amanda at Mackerel Cove on Bailey Island. The day started foggy but sun burst through.

See what I mean? This is around noon on Saturday.

The wedding party posing-- but not for the camera that took this photo.

Here is to you both: Adam and Amanda Jordan Ames!

While I did not play at this wedding per se, I did set up the keyboard for Phil House ( a fine pianist), and I was fully ready to play guitar or violin at the drop of a hat. Maybe next time...

Joesph and Jen Adu's Wedding on Sunday the 21st

I had the fortune of being asked to play classical piano at a wedding in Cumberland. This happened as a fluke, as the person who had said yes to play months before couldn't make the gig and was searching for someone last minute. Ahmed, the original pianist, went to the Music Center to look for a replacement. He left without finding one and we met in the hall after I came out of the bathroom. He asked if I played, I gave a positive response, and a few emails later from both the groom and Ahmed and I was set with music and all.
I set up practice times in the morning and night to get down the 3 songs they wanted as well as add the music to be played 1hr before. I chose a song called "Secret of the Forest" from an old nintendo game and various jazz songs by Lyle Mays and Pat Metheny (as well as standards).

Here I am on a Yamaha upright that sounded alright. After a short rehearsal with a singer I went right into expanding chordal harmonies and intertwining melodies.

Here is the great singer named Katie. She sang "Make you feel my love".

Here is the amazing couple. Their union brought together two loving and generous families that I later was able to meet personally.
After the wedding, refreshments were outside with pictures being taken.

This was all great, but the best was yet to come: a restaurant in Portland that would capture the feeling.

This is not a planetarium-- it is Grace Restaurant-- a church in downtown Portland converted into a high class restaurant and bar. The scene was low lighting with small little colored light dots all over the place. String quartet music was playing and the wait staff was pushing appetizers that were delicious.

 This bar looks like the Wright Bros designed it.

I loved the architecture-- but the people made the event special.

Here are the lights that were all over the place-- I traced it back to the Dj-- I want that effect for my bands!

Patty enjoyed the event very much-- great food, atmosphere and new friends at every corner.


Overall, this was an amazing experience. Everyone was thankful and the families and cultures I met made me think about my life and all of the people I know-- am I living in the wrong place? People were physically and spiritually happy-- we talked about what we liked-- a great meal, doing what you love for work, family-- and talked about cultures that are always happy and expressive. People came from Ohio, Boston, DC and even France-- the latter brining up a conversation of how France's work system and morals are superior to what we have here in the States-- 6 hour work day, a long lunch to savior food, and a basic love of culture- a fit. I am not saying this doesn't exist in Maine, but it is not all that common in those trying to make a living-- money should not ruin everything. I wouldn't mind paying 60% in taxes if I had the French way of life.


In the end, I met great people, I was happy for Jen and Joe, and I saw multiple cultures blending together through love and commonality. I wish them all long lives and good fortune.

Thank you!

L/A Balloon Festival Part 1

Saturday the 20th MaineStream performed at the Balloon Festival in the Twin Cities.

Parking had always been problem for me at this event in the past, but since I was in a band I got special treatment.

This was my transportation with my keyboards. I felt like a King!

It was hot, but the band played well and we tried to keep the energy up for the small audience we had. Luckily, I heard that the sound carried for at least a mile in all directions-- if that is lucky, since no one would know what it was right? Eh..

Few pictures are available now, but at least in this one you can see I was busy. I want to prove that I do work for a living!
Thanks!

Red Hat Society Private Party

Scoot and I were invited to play at a Red Hat Society cookout. This happened in Brunswick and we had two weeks to prepare music from the 60's and get down a few harmonies. The hardest part was meeting up for rehearsals and trying to sing lyrics that are phrased differently than they are written (let alone the stylistic points). In the end, we did an alright job and we kept an audience. They asked for faster songs but I took the 60's as a series of slow political love songs. Without a drummer it was hard to get the train going fast-- but we satisfied that with jazz. Overall, we liked it, we got tans, and we made a group of great people happy!

We smiled often because we were trying to read the audience for the next song. They wanted fast music.

The 60's theme was about peace-- now I get it!

Redneck Olympics Part 1 (Brief)

Of course it has been over for a week, but I still remember everything. Currently the guy who hosted it is being sued by the Olympic committee over the use of "their" word. We will see how that turns out.

What can I say? I showed up and drove through an oversized gravel pit where ATVs and trucks were navigating sand, mud and people. The air smelled like gasoline and cigarettes. The music was loud because of the sound system. Everyone had a drink of some sort in their hand and by the time I got there, everyone seemed tanked. I watched two girls fall off a mechanical bull as if they were sleeping once it started. The mantra was "What happens in Hebron stays in Hebron."
After two heavy rock acts and a certain contest (which made the stage wet and the guys unruly), we set up our equipment as quickly as possible. Ants were taking over the speakers on stage and I had to step through people with my 3 keyboards and stands-- and everyone wanted to be a friend and had an opinion at that time. After a mess of getting ready, we started in on our set. Lyrics were lost, the sound fluctuated, and not every band member was on the same page. I had lights in my face, sunglasses on, and my hands were busy so I just wanted to play the songs and give a good performance. I guess we did.

While there was light you could see the ground. Seemed calm now.

Can you guess what the contest was? Standing in water afterwards made me the loser.

Pics have not come in yet from the concert, but they will for Part 2. Thanks!

Tonight is the Night!

Yes, the band known for now as MaineStream lost the lead male singer. Yes, they did audition two other singers-- one has been kept after these two weeks. Rehearsals have not always been smooth but tonight something has to be proven.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Redneck-olympicspig-roast-and-music-festival/111251762300128

Other than trying to look charming to fit the music and making sure all 3 keyboards have the correct patches written down, this all should be easy.

Next weekend is an acoustic duo 60's barbecue, the following week the L/A Balloon Festival, and after that my friend Adam gets married and I will be playing a wedding in Boothbay Harbor.

Never rest on your laurels.