Another piece of (just confirmed) news: small, but significant. I've just been confirmed for a solo set at the Pismo festival next month. Part of the deal with joining the Midiri guys (beginning last year) on their already established festivals, and going in with them on all the new ones, is to introduce myself as solo artist, in addition to a sideman with the band. And, in God's providence, I've re-entered the scene at good time. Here's (a portion of) what I wrote in the notes of the video post "Once in a While"; taken from a small solo set (pianorama) at the Mammoth festival:

"These events are also opportunities for me to build connections (as an individual player) with a larger "audience". One step at a time. No wait, this is me I'm talking about. Multiple steps (spinning plates) while stepping on other things. Whatever :)"

In the last post (on this blog) , I referenced working out concepts for just such an occasion (although that night I had in mind a one song feature that I know is coming at the Sun Valley festival the week before Pismo). Now I can take it further, even in this "baby step". It will be cool.

Late Wednesday night. It continues to get more interesting (and exciting!). For all of the details (projects, opportunities, gigs, and....) I could list, the most exciting and gratifying of all is just (most of the time, anyway) sitting down at the piano. I've had a few late nights in a row and (even when I need to get up at 5:30am to oversee my kids getting ready for school) now the creative adrenaline is rolling! Just finished some practicing (providentially, everyone continues to sleep upstairs when I practice late at night, so it's cool), and enjoyed feeling connected. I'm working on some solo concepts for jazz festival features and solo concerts. It feels good. Lots of "news" that's backed up. Here's one "headline": The Midiri Brothers quintet (with me) has secured it's first jazz cruise, and were "starting at the top". Only the preliminary publicity is out, but you'll get the idea: http://www.jazzdagen.com/tours/london_NY_2008.htm
I'll do better about checking in, and I'll save more "news" for then.

Monday night, and a little overdue checking in. Have several gratifying gigs lately, and some potentially interesting video posts are possible over the next couple of weeks. Tomorrow I have the mastering session for the new Christmas CD, and next week we begin the recording for a new Midiri Brothers CD. I'll keep you posted. Back to youtube - Check out the steep climb of the recent post of My Blue Heaven. Although posted recently, the hits keep surpassing - one by one - videos further down the timeline. If you hit "see all videos" at the bottom of the box, you will get 20 to a page and can (as I have been) "monitor the chase". I knew I need a better stride post. Apparently, this one is it (for now, anyway). Passed 4,000 total views today, and Always has joined Somewhere Out There in the "500 club". Am also making new friends, and broadening the network. It's all good.