Thought I'd share this: a comment by Jason Long on my latest YouTube post - and my response (excerpted) -
Jason - "Beautiful Joe. Beautiful. I love the simple things you do, most of all - such as turn the iim7 into a dominant briefly before heading to the V7, among the many other inspiring elements that you incorporate into your playing..."
me - "...Thank you for your comment about simple things. That's how I see it. It all reduces to tension/release, which is my take on what you noticed. I'm not sure I have the kind of mental processing necessary for heavy harmonic analysis (although I like hearing it). In my mind, it's all melodic movement, all the time - and the harmonic thing comes out of that."

Sometime I actually say "it" concisely. Gives me some hope :)

A busy weekend (of gigging) - and fun. Perhaps the highlight was subbing this morning for the regular pianist of Dixieland Direct for a Sunday brunch in DC. It's fun to make new associations - even more so when your contribution is greeted with "Where have you been?". I knew this was coming (more than they did), in that these guys (and in particular the clarinetist) are coming right out of that Benny Goodman era bag that I have been steeped in. They just didn't (fully) know that until this morning. Often, for jazz musicians of a more traditional bent, the sidemen you hire are contemporary jazz guys who know how to adjust, or accommodate - which will fill the bill. In any pursuit, however, it's exhilarating to find people who are coming from the same place you are. It was fun for all of us this morning. Despite the confidence I have as a solo performer, it is nice to be appreciated as a sideman. This is a change from some recent experience (no further comment), and is welcome.
Wrote a long private journal entry the other day about mistakes and miscalculations I have made. and feel on firmer footing now. Keep in touch with my Youtube channels, as they continue to grow. This is the (current) means by which the music touches the most people. Oh - and about that opportunity referenced last post; although it would have been potentially a good opportunity (in Colorado!), I'm relieved that upheaval didn't happen. Continue to feel like I settling back, and digging in.

Sorry for the sparse posting. It's been intense for the past week. A performing opportunity was considered that would have brought major upheaval. Now that I have found out that it isn't going to happen, I'm aware of just how exhausting it all was. There are other (professional) dramas as well. Now, I'll do my best to just plow ahead. Started a recording project at Gary's last night. I should have a new "old toons" CD in time for the festivals. Oh, and months after Jason started posting from Sullivans, the "heavy hand" comes down (so now the video below is no longer viewable). Played with Steve Beskrone there on Tuesday night. In all likelihood, that's the last one, as they are moving to a pop toons format. Amazing that it took this long (9 or 10 years) to happen. Looking forward to settling back in without gazing over my shoulder, or across the country.

Late Thursday night. Enjoyed watching some video posts of my friend, Jason Long playing with bassist Peter Paulsen recently at Sullivan's. The video quality and camera angle are fantastic given the constraints of the gig. Yes, this is THAT Sullivan's, where I (as well as Jason, and others) have played for years since it's opening in (I think) the late '90s. Among the recent decisions, considerations, and reconsiderations I've made is to put myself back into the "pool" of musicians for monthly scheduling. I was given 2 dates in April, and one of them (4/1, which never made my web-schedule) was "sacrificed" to the flu. Now my "anti-climatic return" will be on April 15 (where tax filing day suggests to this armchair psychologist mixed signals over the impact on customer turnout for a pseudo-pricey steakhouse), exactly one year after stepping aside. This video (with great playing by Jason and Peter), although limited visually, still gives a sense of the "feel" of Sullivan's (Wilmington, De). If you have any money left on the evening of April 15th, come on over (the food is excellent). I'll be with Steve Beskrone (bass), same as last year.

Had a good last few days. Over these last few days, especially at the beginning, I may have been reluctant to say that, but now, it's good. Have been down with the flu. Had the "real deal", it seems, this time. It came at a ultra-light time in the schedule, so I only missed a couple of gigs (that I was thankfully able to sub out). Even better than a vacation, in a way, for bringing all of the layers of involuntary thought (both above and beneath the conscious level) to an unusual quietness (taking nothing away from that I am way overdue for a nice vacation). Upon "coming to", an understanding (of the obvious) came concerning some decisions that I likely would have missed. All things work together, you know. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks". You never know how life changing that is until you purpose to live in it.