OK, this never happens. Actually it does, but seldom. I zip down this (pseudo-back) road often, seldom (consciously) paying mind to the railroad tracks. I sometimes call the Eastern Shore of Maryland (especially in the Chestertown area, where I live): "instant Iowa" - just add water (of which the Chesapeake Bay provides plenty). Very close to "Megaloplis", on one hand, very far removed on the other (owing to the aforementioned water). You can see that this is one of these rural crossings: no lights, bells, gate. It's also a 50mph speed limit. After the moment it took my brain to connect that - “yes, it really is a (12-15 car) train“, I just stopped the car and stared (no hurry, no one behind me). I could imagine me (or someone) spacing it, and plowing into the train. There are many opportunities to acknowledge (God's) providence (however we may imagine it constructed). Also, sometimes it’s nice to just stop and stare.

The morning after (there’s got to be one).

Stopped in to Wesley Hall, at Heron Point, in Chestertown (the atypical experience of having a performance venue in my town), after presenting music to the Health Center residents this morning. The piano has been moved back to it’s station after my concert last night. In that performance, as well as the Central Baptist Church event (this past) Saturday night, the (new) broader presentation of improv was, in my mind, successfully launched. An “unintended consequence”, so to speak, of all this is the juggling act of fitting everything in. In addition to performing jazz and popular standards, I’ll now present classical theme improv (ideally several selections), plus, at least one selection (from transcription) from “Stories Without Words”, a free improv, and the “A.D.D. Improv” (all in the same concert. Maybe A.D.D. best describes the entire evening, at this point). This is a new place for me, in exploring all the “realms”, and integrating them in performance. Looks like my mission for 2010 is to learn the landscape. The possibilities are intriguing, and exciting.

Many "tracks" at once - all of them good. I last performed with Beth at the Prince Theatre in 2006, at the release performance for her first CD: "Only Forever". I'm privileged to return to the stage with Beth at the Avalon (her return performance following her "Peggy Lee" show, in 2008). She's put together a new band (with a couple of old faces), sharing, this time, more of her original songs, in addition to some of her favorite standards (and more Peggy Lee). Check back with my schedule from time to time. It's getting interesting...

This is cool - a review of Danny's new CD: "Cheerful Little Earful", in the most recent "New Jersey Jazz Society" magazine. Had fun recording this last year in Gary's home studio. Speaking of Gary: he, Mike McShane ("Shore Jazz"), and I are getting together (rehearsing) later today to "initiate" the (new) "Joe Holt Trio". For all my blathering about pursuing the solo career; the importance of relationships, and the connection between musicians is (hopefully) not lost on me. Am looking forward to where this will go (already gigging in my area in Feb. Will get it on the posted schedule in the next day or so)! Stay tuned...

 I know, I know, it's over! I just don't let it go easily. It was a funny (kind of) scene at the Philadelphia Protestant Home on Thursday night. As I was performing in the Social Hall, the Christmas trees on either side of the stage were being deconstructed. This picture, taken after the concert, was of the tree behind me (the direction I was facing seated on the piano bench). For most of the performance, however, I watched the tree in front of me slowly evaporate - from lavish decoration to empty space. Why me? How many times have I said: "The only part of Christmas I don't like, is that it ends"? So, that evening, I felt akin to Charlie Brown and his comment on getting it rubbed in (in his case, finding no Christmas cards in his mailbox.): "Rats! I know nobody likes me. Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?" Actually, it's okay. I got to make light of it during the program (and tell my favorite Santa claus story one final time). The nice lady was just following orders (questionable as they were to coincide with a piano concert). Fortunately for me, I'm under no such pressure at home to move on. My wife, Carol, insists the Christmas tree remain in place until at least her birthday (later this week). Even then we'll be in no hurry. Not that I'm "living in the past", or "afraid to move on", though. In fact, 2010 is shaping up, in multiple respects, to be (potentially) the best year of my career. Looking forward to the opportunities ahead...