Finished for today - now just after midnight on Sat. Our 4 sets went well today, and the crowds very receptive. My take, initially, here, was that I needed to "emphasize" the "trad" elements of my playing in order to connect with this audience. Not so. That doesn’t mean, however, that we’re not the most "modern" band. While much of the music (apart from us) is "dixieland", and much of the piano playing "barrelhouse", I’ve received enthusiastic comments with (for example) references to Brubeck. As is the case throughout this "realm", I’m learning, there are multiple (competing) "factions". Now my laptop battery is done, I’ll have to post when I get home.

Now in Conneticut, at the festival with the Midiri crew. Late Friday night, after our sets, but, at present, I can’t set a suifficient (cell phone) signal so as to get on line (to access this blog). Instead I am entering this into my personal journal to copy in when able. Will avoid photos this time, because the internet connection, when I do have one, is slow (dial up speed). Add to this that I forgot to bring my computer power cord/charger, so I want to limit time on the laptop. The drive up was draining, especially for Ed (Wise), who drove. I think the limited sleep caught up with me more this afternoon than now (nearly 1am). We had 2 sets tonite, which, all things considered, went well. All outdoor tent venues, in the hot and humid summer. Tomorrow will be interesting. Hey, got a signal now, so I’ll try to post this. See you tomorrow!

Late Tuesday evening, and a brief check-in. Finished up the auditions for "Once On This Island" this evening. Also made the casting decisions, but don't ask me (yet) :) Still have a lot of "shedding" to do on the book. One more post to complete the "pianorama" set from Mammoth - hopefully tomorrow. Click through the above post of the Maple Leaf Rag to see the "annotations", and to find the additional posts. Also, a nice gig with Holly Lane and Shore Jazz last night in Ocean City, Md. Had a nice time with Robbie (my youngest) who rode down with me, and sat thru the entire 1 1/2hr show. Look for a post or two from that sometime soon. Also, some good prospects for solo concerts in the near future. The busyness is thickening. God is (always) at work. Speaking of God, have made the decision to utilize "GodTube" for future Christian song posting. Will be setting that up in the coming weeks. Busyness.

Back to the grind. Much grinding ahead, as auditions for "Once On This Island" begin on Saturday, and rehearsals begin a week later. Am heavy into shedding (not shredding) the book now. 254 pages of reading - fine for a normal musician, however, for many years I've done very little reading. Not my strong suit anyway. Challenges are good. Finally completed listening to the soundtrack today (I do things like this in lots of small segments), and am moved by it. Good thing, as I'll be living with it for some time. Also - changed my mind about posting from the pianorama (my solo set) at the Mammoth festival. As of yesterday, had whittled it down to just one toon (from a half-hour set). Tonite, though, after watching it through, have decided to post the set in it's entirety (separated in to individual posts for each toon), and am now re-ripping the video. Over the next few days, you'll likely see the set grow, one post at a time, on my 2008 YouTube channel. Not my best playing, but I'll put my pride aside (can't help but to keep it close by, though) to share the "pianorama" experience. Have also been reviewing another nursing home program for posting. Honestly, the nursing home set (playing-wise) is a good notch above the festival set (as is often the case with things like this). Guess this just means I've more to learn about "losing myself" in "pressure" situations. That's okay - I feel there's been real progress here. Though I struggled in the festival set - especially toward the beginning, it's nothing that jumps out at you. My "low points" are quite far (it feels) above where they were some years ago. God has provided much encouragement in recent years, and months, and days.

The view from my bedroom window yesterday morning, prior to beginning our travel day home. Now, am back in my office (and to "reality"). I'm glad Charie' could come to Mammoth this year, and so is she. Throughout the trip, I seldom slept for more than a hour at a time - in contrast to passing out early this morning when I arrived home. Throughout the weekend, I was reminded of the blessings of this opportunity. Sometimes, as is often the case with "familial" relationships, you don't see things as clearly as others who may be looking in. Am still somewhat disappointed I couldn't stay on the cruise, and that the Midiri brothers (though still gracious, and understanding of my decision) have to contend with this, among other things. The weekend started out a little weird (for me) as Gary Cattley (my roommate and best friend in the band), is now replaced by Ed Wise, who I'd found difficult to warm up/relate to. By Saturday, though, the camaraderie was building, and I think now we both feel more comfortable about the whole deal (even without this though, change happens, and we adjust). Ed is actually very enthused about this opportunity, and I'm looking forward to riding up with him to Connecticut (weekend after this). He's a fine, and well seasoned musician, and the band is well served to have him. I'll still miss Gary, but it's all good, for all of us.

Our final set this afternoon (no hail storm here, only at the top of the mountain). The band played well, and, as always, was well received. Hecticness preceding the sets (built in to the system much of the time by the scheduling) kept me from setting up the video camera, which I had planned for here. Still have the solo video to post, though. This festival was the first appearance of all 7 members (septet) together, and the festival introduction of the new bassist, Ed Wise. Joe Midiri has now learned to pronounce his name, most of the time. Now, time to pack...

Today was our chance, given a long break between sets, to venture up to the top of Mammoth mountain (11,000+ft) via the gondola. Many, if not most, bring mountain bikes in tow, and ride down via the trails. Got to see some of the view, however, a hail storm greeted us at the top. It (the hail) was fun for about a minute. The local are proud of the scenery, and are displeased that the skies are less than perfectly clear (hard to notice, most of the time, for those of us from the east coast) due to the wild fires elsewhere. At any rate, we had an experience today.

A new venue for the pianomatic this year: the Mammoth Performing Arts Center: a nice little theater venue, and a wonderful Kawai grand. When I have this opportunity (which is not every festival), it is the highlight for me. Likely, there will always be a portion of my energies spent on working as a sideman/in a rhythm section. It is as a soloist , however, that provides, for me, the optimal range of expression. This is not true for everybody - when joining Jazz at the Philharmonic, Oscar Peterson was expected to perform solo, while he wanted a rhythm section. They "settled" for a duo with (bassist) Ray Brown. Different strokes... All the sets (including this one) have gone well. Got reasonable video from the piano set. Will get some posts up in a week or two.

The view from the front yard of our hosts for breakfast this morning. The whole town of Mammoth embraces this festival, and a significant percentage volunteer. The people are all nice, and very receptive to us (musicians). I rejoined the Midiri band (for festival travel) in 2006. As these will usually book far ahead, and are individually negotiated, it wasn't a straight line for my inclusion. Joe did manage to "adjust the contracts" that first year for several of the festivals, including this one. The only one left I haven't participated in is Connecticut, and that will change in 2 weeks. This is the first festival that I've been to 3 times, and I feel the charm.

With the Midiri band during our 3rd, and final set today. my time was divided between the band sets, and the stores (while Charie' shopped). I was happy to discover that the familiar (to me) part of town was walking distance (just under a mile) from our condo (on the "outskirts"). Walking back, however is all uphill. 8,000 feet, remember? We were both happy to find a second Starbucks during our "walking tour" (the first being uptown, and too far to walk). The band sets have gone well - the crowds enthusiastic, and the playing increasingly comfortable. I may run the video camera during one or two of the band sets, and certainly for my (half hour) solo set (in the "pianorama") at 6:15. I'll check back tomorrow.

Now in Mammoth. This sign (look hard) welcomed us yesterday to the transition from the wide wide open spaces (and many hours of travelling), to the rustic, but somewhat cosmopolitan, small town, but bustling resort, of Mammoth Lakes, California. Charie' (my almost 16 year old daughter) is with me. I'm hopeful that she will enjoy the celebratory atmosphere, and the "attractions" (shopping helps). Things are just gearing up now on Friday morning. I'll check in later with how it all goes.

To actually complete the verse referenced in the 6/11/post - "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,..." This really does (for those of us inclined to see things this way) seem to illustrate the God/self divide. God, and His promises, are before us. our failings are behind us. Christian spirituality calls us to the perceived paradox of (increasingly) fully acknowledging our failings (sins), and wholly forgetting them. From my position, I am encouraged to be encouraged! And I am! Successful solo concert at Kendall Crosslands (private community) last night, where strong connections were made. Look out, and up (as opposed to in, and back)!