Actually, late on Friday night. An atypical day - no gigs. A good day, because I got to hang with my kids. Most notably, with my youngest, Robbie, at his 5th grade field day (I seldom spend serious time outdoors in the sun, and so I seldom think of sunscreen - any more than I consider an umbrella when it's raining. Now, however, I am two-tone.), and then with my oldest, Joe Jr. for his driving test (delayed gratification for him; he's 18). He did great, and now he's off (hopefully not to the races). When my day really will be Saturday, I'll be confronting my oversight that 5/26 is the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. I took a gig in Rehoboth Beach, De. Beach traffic. Yippee. Once I get there the gig should be fun. Hmmm, I'd better sleep some.

photo courtesy of Bruce Gast

Here I am with the Midiri Brothers and Co. for the Artie Shaw tribute concert on 5/16. Several things "went wrong" that evening, but we/I got through. One of the "issues" was the piano. After the grand piano was wheeled onstage (prior to the hit) we discovered that it hadn't been tuned. Since the upright (pictured) was on the stage initially (then returned to replace the out of tune grand), it was speculated that the tuner may have unwittingly serviced the wrong piano. A little deeper digging suggested no tuning happened at all. Fortunately, the upright was in decent tune, and playable (enough). In my experience, some pianists are "fussier" than I about what they are willing to play. My take is: I may not like the piano, but if so; it all becomes relative. Everyone else who performs (there) has to deal with the same instrument. Usually, if the keys come up (soon) after they are depressed, I'll deal with it. The show must go on!

Years ago, I wouldn't have "gotten it". Now, I'm drawn to keep replaying this.

Had 3 great gigs last weekend. All different, but all the same - they were all great. In each one, I felt fully "in command" of my role, and it's fulfillment. A solo piano house party (I only take these selectively) began the weekend on Friday night. This was a surprise birthday dinner for a wonderful person whom I have gotten to know through my senior work. Presenting me to her revealed the surprise. That was cool. Later in the evening, a few guests (it was a small party) sat around the piano creating, in effect, a mini-concert. In the small world department, a gentleman was in attendance who has attended several of my concerts at the Mainstay. He smiled a lot, and said (repeatedly) to those around him: "I've paid money to hear this guy!". On Saturday, I enjoyed a very strong and successful evening with Bryan Clark (and Mike McShane on drums). On Sunday afternoon, I was up in Easton, Pa. (150 miles north of me) for a concert performance with the Midiri Brothers sextet. I was taken aback a little by how many attendees greeted me by name prior to the hit. I also "observed", pleasantly, how this new command (it really is like an artistic 'born again" experience at this point) allowed me to deal with "curve balls", and other unexpected stuff that would have, in the past, tied me up in knots on stage. It seems that the "constipation" (discussed in prior entries) has found a spiritual cure.

Another "subconscious mind" account (pt. 2 from 3/30/07 post) - this one's my favorite:
There is always stuff happening in there, just above and just below the "squelch line". Often there will be a repeating tune "playing". If I become aware of this, I may begin humming it. One morning, upon awakening, I was consciously aware of "Out of Nowhere" playing "in the background". That was okay, I can handle that. As I get out of bed, however, then "I Love Lucy" quotes (involuntarily) on top of "Out of Nowhere". I stopped in my tracks, and audibly said something like: "Get me out of here!" It didn't work. Bruce Kaminsky calls the sometimes incessant quoting (it just happens, and others are often aware of it before I am) on gigs my "tourettes". Perhaps this just proves him right.