It has been a couple of months since I've seen, or gigged (performed, if you prefer) with Bryan Clark. My gig with him tonight went very well. He was quite strong, and it appeared that I made a positive contribution. Although I am no longer working with Bryan's band (specifically, the New Legacy Jazz Band), I have accepted Bryan's offer to accompany him solo piano, on occasion. Tonight was fun. I really like solo accompanying, but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy myself in other accompaniment settings. I just received the recording from Felicia Carter's concert at the Prince Theatre (in December) in which I played behind her w/ Tommy Cecil on bass. That was a good gig too. In coming weeks, I'll be featuring a couple of cuts on "audio trailers" segments of my radio show. Speaking of the show, one week to go before I debut on WKDI in Denton (Md). I am looking forward to being heard in my local area. I remain optimistic about the future. God is good.

Teddy Wilson with Vienna concert Dutch Swing Band - 1976

Came across this video tonight, and although seeing it for the first time; the longer it played, the more it connected itself to me. In the year 1976, this represents a dead-on to what had grabbed me and pulled me into jazz. A couple of years before, I had stumbled across dixieland music on a Sunday evening radio program. For weeks, perhaps months, I didn't know what it was called, I just knew that I liked it (and listened faithfully). That, and Scott Joplin rags provided the place to jump off when I met Joe Midiri, and he "introduced" me to Teddy Wilson, and the Benny Goodman trio/quartet. Teddy Wilson was my first concentrated exposure to a jazz pianist. I listened, and listened, many times to all of the original trio and quartet recordings, and became known (in the late 1970's) as the "kid who plays like Teddy Wilson". These days, I couldn't imitate him no matter how hard I tried. I wasn't imitating him then, either (I could never easily go in and out of "bags" What I hear is what I hear, and what I play is what I play). He was, at that time, my main reference point. As my awareness grew, so did the "pool" of musicians who grabbed my attention, and participated in shaping my outlook. This shaping is ongoing. it continues now, and will continue until I'm done. As for this clip, it has it all: solidly swinging, a strong dixie-style "front line", and Teddy (Regarding this representation, I've always felt that his best work was during those early Goodman days. This cut, however, appeals to me more than many of the later Wilson recordings I've heard). If I was in that audience in 1976, I would have felt right at home.

These last few months have been somewhat of a rough ride, but only to a point. In addition to the general knowledge of the work of God in the "all things work together for good" department, I have the continued and specific encouragement of knowing and seeing things come together; spiritually, professionally, and personally, in and around me. These encouragements continue, and deepen (even as struggles and doubts are "still lurking about"*, but that's the human condition) . Last night (Sunday), I had my concert in Newark, which went very well. I did not feel wholly "connected" (at least consistently), but the audience/crowd/congregation was with me, and "my" communication to them was successful. This is what I'm after. Today we finalized the "negotiation" on a new station for Joe Holt's Notes on the Radio. Starting in February, there will be 2 stations: WNJC in Washington Twp., NJ (now the flagship station?), and WKDI in Denton MD (now I'm syndicated?)! I'll be getting in touch with Max to make the appropriate changes on the site. Until then, here's the new deal (copied from my Radio Show "program schedule" flyer that I actually made up myself:


JOE HOLT'S NOTES ON THE RADIO
PROGRAM SCHEDULE


WKDI 840 AM Denton,MD
serving: Eastern Maryland/Southern Delaware
Sunday 2-2:30pm (Beginning 2/4/07)


WNJC 1360 AM Washington Township, NJ
serving: Philadelphia/South Jersey
Thursday 9-9:30pm
Out of range? Listen to Joe's broadcast on WNJC online!
Visit http://www.joeholtsnotes.com/ and click on the microphone
to access on-line streaming (Thursday 9pm).

Listen anytime! Visit http://www.joeholtsnotes.com/ and click on the microphone to access the radio archive. Shows generally archive within 24 hours of airing.

Want a heads up? Visit http://www.josholtsnotes.com/ And visit the Newsletter page. Sign up and receive (in addition to monthly newsletters) weekly radio show content and performance announcements.

Enjoy the show!
joeholt@joeholtsnotes.com
877-JOE-HOLT

* one of my favorite Daffy Duck lines

I am really enjoying myself when I play the piano these days. The last gig of my "triple" today (Thursday, but it's now after midnight) was at the Homestead Manor (assisted living) retirement community with the Midiri Brothers (my pseudo-siblings) and Sue Matthews. This was Sue's first time with us (as a unit). She was blown away. It was fun. Sue was great, and fit right in. There are still "bumps in the road" In this "spiritual"music making, but nonetheless, my playing has been transformed, and "healed". I was reminded tonight of a letter to a friend a couple of months ago. Recalling some of it here is relevant to my thoughts. Note: the name(s) have been omitted to protect the unsuspecting:
"I really believe that this is the time for me; that the "deck has been cleared" for me to now go out, as me, and make a contribution, as I seek to connect with people. I am certainly in the early stages of this pilgrimage, I feel, but DYHWIH shows glimmers (even if faintly) of the light that I am following. Things really have transformed for me, and I believe that, in time, I will learn to better make my way around this (to some extent) new place. I am responding (as best I can, and not entirely consistently) to this spiritual connection, and people are responding to me. The Mainstay event on Sat. was wonderful, as I felt strongly connected. This connection, that I now find more often than not, and never (anymore) really not, which places me outside of me when playing, is wonder and joy to me. I can only feel warmth inside as I watch this all begin to come together. I look forward to the future. It's good to feel called."

Just because I was 17(ish) when I had my first Art Tatum encounter doesn't mean that it's over. Wonder is eternal. As I wrote a few posts ago, I didn't know to call it wonder then. It was more like fear and dispair. I've "grown up" (some) since then. This is from 1954, and is amazing(ly wonderful).