Leg 2 Begins
It barely seems like I was home for a week. I guess because I wasn’t. It was only really 5 days. I find myself on a plane again with Taggart and Cahill meeting up with Rotondi in Toronto for the beginning of leg 2. I have to admit I’m kinda of excited. I really felt like we got into a great musical rhythm if you will. It’s a real drag that Ken Lister (bass) couldn’t join us on this leg (thanks Canada Council). Pat Collins, Paul Rushka and John Webber are going to be great don’t get me wrong but when you do 10 gigs in a row with same band you get some shit together! I had planned on practicing at least for 30 minutes every day I was home. Georgia Rule I didn’t pick up my horn once! I also planned to go to the gym every day as well. I made it zero times!
I’m kind of excited about all the gigs on this leg but would be lying if I wasn’t extra excited and nervous about the New York City gig at Smoke. If you have read my blog at any point since it started you’d know that Smoke is my favorite club in the world. I just love the vibe. You never know who is going to show up there to listen. Its gonna be a gas! I also can’t wait to get my hands on the 4 – CD set that they produced there. Chalkers tonight and tomorrow will be fun as well. The National Arts Center in Ottawa will be a great gig as well. Jesse has played there before and apparently its fantastic!
Musical selections for this leg at least from my standpoint are: Johnny Griffin: The Storyville Collection (4 CD set), George Colmean – Amsterdamn Ater Dark, George Coleman Octet – Big George, George Coleman/Tete Monteliu (spelling?) – Duo, Freddie Hubbard – Without A Song, Jim Snidero – Crossfire, Gary Smulyan – With Strings, Duke Pearson – Honeybuns and The Right Touch.
It was great spending some time with Noah and Alana. My kid is getting more classic by the day. I was excited for opening night of Hockey Night In Canada. It was only the second time Noah has worn his Canucks jersey that Ross Taggart bought him. Unfortunately the result was the same as the last time he wore it. We got hammered!
Oh well, he’s getting into it. He only lasted till the 10 minute mark of the 1st period before falling asleep but we were already down 3 – 0 and unlike his old man he did the right thing and went to bed. I painfully endured the rest of the game only to get my hopes up slightly of a comeback until Dion Had Eneuf put it away for good!
It will be good to play Chalkers tonight in Toronto. Im hoping to see some old friends!