I am very excited about our upcoming Rhythms of Art concert at The Fresno Art Museum (January 25th, 2007, 7pm). This concert will feature my original compositions inspired by the work of Lisa Esherick. Check out her website at www.lisaesherick.com. The concert will feature my trusty trio with Brian Hamada and Kevin Hill in configurations with both the acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes mechanical piano. I am also pleased to have singer/songwriter Julia Dawn (www.myspace.com/juliadawnmusic) opening the concert.

This concert is very special to me. It allows our community to support a very in fine organization in the ONE Campaign. The ONE Campaign was formed in an effort to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty Please visit their website www.one.org for more information.
We will also have presentations and literature available at the concert for those who are interested. All proceeds will benefit the ONE Campaign.

This concert is just one of the many organizations that our program has raised money for. As Musical Director of the F.A.M., I am and will continue to be focused and dedicated on better our communities both local and worldwide with our efforts.

Soon I will be writing detailed notes on the music that I have composed and I look forward to sharing this new music with you all.


Listening to Lee Morgan – Live at the Lighthouse & Last Session

Labels: Artist Thoughts

A new film from my favorite modern filmmaker Wes Anderson (not to be confused with the great woodwind player) has started production. The film is titled The Darjeeling Limited and stars Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody. Thought you'd like to know...




listening... to String Quartets from Bartok & Ligeti

Labels: Artist Thoughts

Two films from 2006 should be applauded for their vision and contribution to society. Spike Lee’s When the Levees Broke and President Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. Lee’s film is a documentary about Hurricaine Katrina, its aftermath, and the administration’s reaction to it, while President Gore’s film takes on Global Warming. I am convinced that both of these films will be revisited by future generations as a time capsule of recent years in addition to portraying accurate histories as well.

It is difficult to watch what is really occurring around the globe: the killing of our planet, the neglect of fellow world citizens, etc but it is incredibly important to not only be aware of such things but also to ask ourselves, what we can do. Perhaps we will never do enough, but awareness is the start. Watch these movies then ask yourself, “Have I done all I can?”

Recent Listening: Marvin Gaye, Damien Rice & Lisa Hannigan, The White Stripes, Stravinsky: The Great Chorale, Nirvana, John Cage’s Prepared Piano work, Dave Douglas’ Quartet recordings, Kieren Hebden, Woody Shaw, & Don Cherry.

Labels: Artist Thoughts