7/21/2013

New shows have been added to the gigs section! Melissa and I are always excited to play at Zannotti's Wine Bar in Stillwater every chance we get; fortunately for us they have graciously booked us through the end of the year. If you can make a show please come out and do so. Our last Saturday concert at Zannotti's is August 10th, after which we will move to Tuesday's to fit within the college football schedule at Oklahoma State University. Since most game days are Saturdays, Zannotti's shifts gears allowing fans to drink and watch football live on the weekend. Oklahoma is a football state, so we are at the mercy of the college sporting gods until football season ends.

In addition, we are looking for local gigs here in Oklahoma City. We have compiled a list of contacts and plan to send out sound clips in early August. Melissa and I have done our best to compile a list of businesses we feel would best fit our sound, but we could have overlooked your favorite place. So let me know! If you're local and have a place you think would fit our style feel free to comment below or contact me.

I have been considering recording an album over spring break and next summer. It would likely turn into two albums: a vocal album and a jazz quartet/quintet recording. I am looking for a project(s) to solidify my time in Oklahoma both at UCO and the recent gigs with Melissa. Her and I would like a product we are able to sell at gigs and amongst our friends and family. On a personal level, I would like to walk away with an album showcasing what I have learned over my stay here. On top of that, I would like incentive toward writing more music. Having an outlet, like a CD, would validate the writing process rather than it sitting on my desk/computer.

So that's what I am working on. I have a recital in the Fall, hopefully on a Sunday or Monday night, which will mostly be standards and perhaps an original piece. I'm required to play a latin tune, ballad, blues, bebop, and a modern tune. It has to total somewhere between 30 and 45 minutes. My set list is coming along, but I will either need another tune, or to really stretch these tunes as far as they will go. I am hoping to enlist a quintet of players: piano, bass, drums, and saxophone with myself on guitar. I'm going to find music to challenge not only myself, but whomever I can get in my group. It will certainly be a blast and I cannot wait to rehearse with everyone and play music.

I've rehearsed all summer with musicians on Saturday at UCO. It's unfortunate how that might come to a close soon. I'm hoping to find a replacement bassist to continue throughout the year in the fall. It's been a wonderful and growing experience to play often this summer. I am happy I did not waste away in a practice room. Jazz is about communication - playing with other musicians and having a conversation with each other. I've grown a lot over these past few months both in Oklahoma and during my stay in Louisville. Each day this music gets clearer and I love it even more. 

Thanks to any and all that have read all of this -  you are the best!