Busy Weekend-- Again

I just played a wedding today at Reid State Park in Georgetown-- and it was one of two weddings being held there (the park crew was somewhat annoyed). I played acoustic guitar on the rocks (that is not a drink), and although the ceremony was short and sweet, everyone dressed appropriately (and I came dressing the same: khaki pants and white shirt). Word to the wise though-- if you have a heavy guitar and case combo, get some wheels on that thing! I was getting late because I went to the wrong wedding, first so I ran the span of half a mile with a heavy bag and guitar on a sandy road to make it in time. I am glad I ended up with a view like this!

The day before I played jazz music with Mitch and Jeff on Orr's island in Harpswell. This was for an 80th birthday party and the food and people were amazing. The only issue, and of course there are always a few, was that we were not told what to play for music-- so when a sheet of requests went up, we didn't have the sheets. We were also told halfway through not to sing-- which seemed weird considering the requests were all songs that definitely required singing. My band was not impressed but the cake, the check, and a childhood memory for Mitch seemed to end the night right. My take: I don't mind getting into things even if I am over my head--music should always be like that-- always about to lose control-- but you always have it.

Tomorrow I have the AM church service with the jazz band players and a ballroom class to teach.

I have some composing to get to-- I now have lessons of my own and homework! All worth it!

Thanks!

Where you would least expect it...

I am knee-deep in work. I began the summer session at Fiddleheads, I am still at The Music Center 4 days a week, I have rehearsals for shows in August, private studies, compositions to devise, and other bands are offering gigs. I cannot say "no", because when work gets scarce bills continue. I keep motivated and things get done. I also get the occasional downtime-- family time-- and I can go to an event. Yesterday it was the Moxie Festival.
http://www.moxiefestival.com/

Don't get the wrong impression-- I went there because a church was unloading its library for $5 a bag. Since my readings normally span from 1900-1970, I was ready to find a few old books (and let's face it, society gets a new face but things do not change- old books are still good).
I of course am interested in music-- more post tonal and modern-- expressionism and avant garde-- and yet I was willing to look at every subject.

It began grim, but I found a few psychology books that seemed great for inspiration and introspection. I found a post-impressionism book that visualized what art music I listen to as of late. I even found an ethnomusicology book about African music. All of these were good-- not quite the gold I thought I would find...

But then I found it... Bartok's 1st quartet score in a pocket-size! Gold!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KcsUAp8EDo

Not only is Bartok a favorite of mine, but his string quartets are great study material for someone who needs to write..well...string quartets! My previous string quartets were all guitars!

This is just proof that you can find great things where you least expect it.
Of course, there were other great books to be had there on religion, science, art, photography...etc. It was a goldmine!
I paid my $5, had a moxie (it had been over 10 years) and left a humid festival to those that enjoy such things.

Thanks!

Steinway excursion a few weeks ago

A few weeks ago I was able to meet Gregory Hall (Tip Corbett on Second Life-- we will get to that in a moment). He is a modern composer and classical pianist with futurist ideas with a love of 19th century parlor piano music. He has ideas much like I do about how to change the state of classical music-- grassroots ways. That is not to be discussed on this current blog...

He came up to record himself on the best piano north of Boston-- the Franco Center Steinway. I was able to tag along and improvise a few ideas as well. Although he recorded video and audio of me, I do not have the video at the moment. What I do have are two tracks that I put into Soundcloud.

https://soundcloud.com/neil-james-2/improvisation-2/s-TjQpd
https://soundcloud.com/neil-james-2/improvisation-1/s-K2t95


Although my past is full of singer/songwriter music, rock, jazz, and ambient-- I am delving further into classical music with a big emphasis on the post-tonal styles of the early to mid 20th century. Piano is not going to be the only medium either-- this is just a vessel to get ideas out quickly. I also felt at ease on the piano and I believe it has the largest voice of all my instruments.

Let the sound collection begin!