Yesterday marked the latest of what is becoming a series of great internet jazz performances. One of my most valued online connections is with world-class bassist Todd Johnson. He and his lovely wife Gay came to my studio to hang-out and play some music to an enthusiastic international audience on Ustream.
Here is a brief peak into what we played. There will be higher quality video on my YouTube channel in the next day or two.
Here is another excerpt from my Ustream show from last Friday that featured bassist Steve Uccello.
This is 1980′s-era Pat Metheny tune that touches on the more country/ folk side of things. Hope you like it. You can get the audio download at and “Pay What You Want (even nothing)” here.
This really great Christmas surprise comes courtesy of my friend Rahsheen.
For several days after the beautiful House Concert at Juan’s place last week, media has been streaming into my DropBox. Super cool, photos, videos and stereo recordings.
I’ve been putting some of it together and want to share some of it with you now. The shear volume of stuff far exceeded my expectation. I thought I was going to have to upgrade my DropBox account! It will take awhile just to post everything, but here is a start.
Nardis.
Don’t You Realize
Armando’s Rumba
All-Star Jam
Thanks so much to those that played, attended and participated in some way. More to come…
This past Friday, April 10th 2009, we had the good fortune to follow through with a House Concert that was orchestrated, end-to-end on Twitter. With our new Twitter friends Steve Uccello and Gustaf Fjelstrom, we set about establishing a venue, organizing talent, inviting guests and in doing so, a magical event occurred.
Steve found a gracious and enthusiastic host in Juan Candelaria who has a gorgeous home in Capitlola CA. He was a wonderful host who helped set the magical tone for the evening.
The dialog for the planning stage of the evening were all conducted in the public time line on Twitter where anyone interested could ‘listen-in’ and contribute to the project/ conversation. Several good people did just that: Zach Parkes, bass player, blogger and overall positive guy took photos. This was all surprisingly effortless and crystalized very rapidly. No mainstream media (radio or print) promotional avenues were used. All planning and correspondence was done via Twitter. Advice and well-wishes came from all over the world, including from our good friend Steve Lawson, who, is my personal House Concert Guru (Thanks Steve!).
The eclectic mix of music presented (Categorized “Neo-Chamber Music” by Zach) was a blend of rootsy singing by Aaron Ford, looping magic by solo bassist Steve Uccello and magical soundscapes by Gustaf’s electric cello, preceded the Atmos Trio set. The Concert concluded with us inviting all the performers back for an impromptu musical exchange. Made-to-order Magic!
Thinking it might be fun to continue the theme of community that emerged on twitter, we encouraged guests to take photos and make audio and video recording of the concert. We supplied a URL where they could share their content–and share they did. Over the course of the next couple of days, over 3 gigabytes of data arrived on my desktop. Sure, I saw some cameras and microphones strategically placed around the room, but the extent to which this event was documented really surprised me!
This is one of the things that make House Concerts special: Everyone can participate. Everyone is involved.
If you prefer to participate as a spectator, you certainly have that option. If you want to be more involved–that is welcome as well. In this setting, the audience members are not merely “asses to fill seats.” The audience is a significant component to the event. They have stepped up to fill the valued roll as a collective collaborator.
In the coming days, I will post video and audio content and, if there is interest, make it available for you to edit remix and share any way you like.
Want to host a House Concert of your own? You can learn more about it and have the Atmos Trio play in your home.
Continuing on my Social Media-powered outreach efforts, I have managed to find many more talented and resourceful people with whom to work. On Friday, April, 10, Bass players, Steve Uccello and Gustaf Fjelstrom will be weaving their loop-driven magic. Also, singer/ songwriter Aaron Ford will be sharing the bill with The Atmos Trio at a House concert hosted by Juan Candelaria in beautiful Capitola CA (in the Santa Cruz area).
Reservation are highly recommended by emailing Steve Uccello or Rob Michael or call 831-801-4920. Admission is a requested $10 donation.
You’re encouraged to take photos and/or make audio/ video recordings.
Please email Photos to the Capitola House Concert Gallery
