It's that time (already)! A couple of April days in the '90s(!) reinforce that winter is long gone. The humidity that characterizes the summertime in this region was largely absent, so it wasn't that uncomfortable. This year I didn't wait until our yard was a jungle to begin the grass cutting (but we weren't far off) :)

Had great fun this past weekend, including a double (gig) on Saturday. Played themed and background music, in the morning, for Chestertown's Mutt Strutt: a Kent County Humane Society fundraiser. If you were there, you'll understand that the gig boiled down to "follow the bouncing Courtney" :) That evening, worked for (outstanding saxophonist) Dave Schiff at the Commonwealth Awards event at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington Delaware. 2 contrasting gigs, if there ever were :) This gig was the first time playing with a full rhythm section (or a bass player at all) since last playing with the Midiri band in October! Fun to see and work with Bill Stumm again. Speaking of fun, I think Dave enjoyed himself (as I did):

"Hi Joe: Thank you !!!! for your fantastic playing (as usual). You make the gigs so much fun and such a wonderful musical experience. Your playing really inspires me. I can't wait for the next gig we have together."

Cool! :)

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The marquis for (this past) Sunday night's concert. Watched some of the video (taken from the video booth on the church's equipment), and am pleased with what I saw/heard. It is gratifying that others (based on what they tell me) are recognizing what is apparent to me: that I am in a new (or deeper, perhaps) place. One friend describes it as "flying free now". Not to be too dramatical, though :) Suffice to say, the expression continues to mature, and it is humbling, because I did not get here on my own, nor can I do this "myself". There is a long way to go, but I feel the communication is making sense (connection with the listener) more than ever. Can you tell I'm enjoying this?

Speaking of video, I'm in the middle right now of posting from one of my health/nursing center programs. Even though the video is taken from an odd angle (of necessity), this new post of "Stars Fell on Alabama" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FFQS6M-cI8 really does capture that Dave McKenna "spirit", and so it now gets a slot in the "In the Spirit of Dave McKenna" playlist. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=38A6077C2E4387B2

Didn't realize that it has been 2 weeks since I last checked in. Oops! Things are beginning to pick up now, in a manner that feels like "foundation building". The "music business" (on the local and regional levels, at least) is suffering, and musicians are hurting. I'm continuing to stake my tent pegs where I've often placed them; outside of the regular gigging network. There is no question (in my mind) now that (on multiple levels) my (immediate, at least) future, and, certainly the foundation of my path, is as a soloist (sorry about all the parentheticalness and run-on tendencies). The time may come soon when I only list select public concerts (all or nearly all solo) on my schedule. Had a successful concert in Newark, DE last night that suggests I may be doing (some of) the right things now.

Okay, what does any of this have to do with the above photo? Nothing. I was waiting for my scheduled performance time, in a retirement community that I regularly visit, "having set up shop" in a small, unoccupied room, to get some work done. A resident came in to check his e-mail on the public computer, and began polite conversation. When he asked my name, my answer provoked a few blinks, and a hard stare. "Oh", he said, "I didn't recognize you without your piano" :)

Here is a view that I haven’t had in about 15 years. Some don’t know that, from 1979 to 1990 (age 19 to 30) I was the organist and music director of a church in NJ (where I grew up). In fact, my major instrument in college wound up being split between piano and (classical) organ, where I had the benefit of studies with Dennis Elwell. The organ is a entirely different beast than the piano, and, back in the day, I enjoyed traveling that unique path, alongside of the piano. When I put it down, though, it was for good. Well, maybe. Over the past months of enjoying (yes, enjoying) worshipping at the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown (and “hanging with the musicians” “after the gig” :) ), the bug that has either remained dormant within me, or that Kate (the smiling organist) has somehow passed on, appears to have bitten. Took my first crack (in many years) at it today. It’s a waaaay different animal. Okay, first, I need to find shoes….

This is the view from the back of the main building of the Heron Point retirement community, in Chestertown (MD). Like most of the communities I serve, I've been around for awhile (in this case, since around 1994). Plenty of time to fine interesting places to take walks. This walking pier juts out to the Chester River (you can make out the Gazebo in the middle of the photo if you use your imagination). Have always enjoyed the beauty of creation, and, living near the ocean, have taken to the calm and peaceful majesty of the water to remind me of the work, presence, and hand of God. We didn't plan to move to Chestertown nearly 10 years ago, but, through providential circumstances, found ourselves living backed up to a small creek that flows from the other side of this river not far from here. We were hooked. If the tide was in, you could put a canoe in the water and paddle out to the river. Did that once (in a borrowed canoe). No real desire to be a boater, just to enjoy the beauty. We now live on the other side of the river, but upstream a little, and about 1/4 mile in. No more view, but it's never far away. Beauty, majesty, and peace are never far away. Usually, you just have to open your eyes.