(8/6/10) I am up insanely early.  Its 6 AM on Friday. Today’s the big day, the day I’ve been highly anticipating!  My band is opening the legendary” Newport Jazz Festival” at the Tennis Hall of Fame.  We are opening for Jamie Cullum.  I am a big fan of his and am looking forward to seeing him live. I heard he’s quite the showman. Anyways, the reason I am up so EARLY is because we have to drive down to Providence, RI because I am going on their TV morning show to promote the weekend!  I’m honored to have been selected as the representative to talk about the festival and after you can bet I headed for a nap!

The TV show went really great.  There’s a fun story tied in with this.  As I was doing my segment I noticed in the next room Clarence Clemmons (the famous Tenor player w Bruce Springsteen, and the E Street Band) was getting interviewed taking about his new book!  I played my segment and got interviewed and as I was packing up to leave a woman walked in and said, "Clarence wants to talk to you. He’s in the front.”  I had a lovely chat with Clarence who said he was totally blown away with my playing and was now a fan!  It was pretty exciting, this guy is great and it was super sweet of him to talk to me.

(8/7/10) Last night was a whirlwind.  It was quite amazing. There were so many emotions tied in with the night.. Excitement, anxiety, relief, everything!

We drove to Newport and checked into the hotel.  I went back to bed and slept until 12,12:30.  I like to take it easy on gig days, I don’t really practice and I try not to wear myself out.  I do try out all my reeds though and I make sure my body feels good.  I’ve been learning a lot of new things after studying the Alexander technique for the last year and one of the things is to be always aware of our bodies.  Our mind and bodies are so related and ignoring one is not fair to us as a whole.  We went to sound check around 4 and I was surprised to see the venue was outside.

That’s kind of silly right?  Of course it’s outside!  It’s at the tennis hall of fame.. It’s where the big tennis games are held but this time they changed it to a concert setting with 2500 seats all around, (risers, sides inside) and a giant stage.  As soon as we were walking to the venue it started to pour. However that cleared up within 30 min and we waited around until we sound checked.  We barely had time to squeeze in dinner and before I knew it; it was 8PM.  Before I walked on stage I met the legendary George Wein who is the producer of the festival and has been since he started it in 1954.

I have to say as far as gigs I was very nervous.  Some of you have asked me this before but I usually don’t get this nervous for gigs.  I always have a little bit of a buzz before I go on but tonight I was actually NERVOUS. Newport is the most famous jazz festivals where are the greats have played.  It’s one of the longest running one and so historical. Miles Davis had his come back after playing Newport and shortly after recorded the famous recordings, "Round Midnight,” Frank Sinatra, Ella, Billy, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington have played these stages even bands such as Led Zepplin were here.  And then there I was standing in the same grounds and next to the producer who booked all those musicians. 

Wow.  Anyways, my nerves did settle a little bit and we played a really great 45 min set.  I came off the stage and George Wein told me the sweetest things and said he really loved the set. It meant so much coming from him. I was then called because I heard Jamie Cullum wanted to talk to me.  I got to meet Jamie (who is just the sweetest guy) and he said he caught some of my set and loved it.  He then invited me to jam out on his tune, "These are the Days.”  I was thrilled, I love that song!! I can’t explain to you the amount of talent Jamie has. I waited backstage for his set to start. The minute the band hit it he ran on to stage bouncing and just ripped everything apart!!  The guy is an INCREDIBLE showman and has more energy then the energizer bunny.  He is an amazing singer, pianist, and everything else.  He was jumping off the piano, dancing, just blowing everyone away.  I joined them for that song and we jammed out hardcore.  It was great.  It was a really magical night; I’m still flying high.

(8/10/10)  The rest of Newport was a ride full of music. I wanted to make sure I could see the whole weekend since there were so many great acts and because this was the first time I had played and seen the festival.  I got to meet up with many old friends who I have sat in with.  Backstage was a party; everyone was hanging out with beautiful weather and great spirits. 

Saturdays highlights (for me) including George Wein’s All-star band, Julian Lage’s band, Trio Da Paz, Chick Corea freedom Band, Maria Schneider and Jamie’s set again.  Earlier in the day on sat Jamie found me and interviewed me on his radio show. That was pretty fun; we have a little clip of that!

Sunday had another fantastic line up.  Wynton Marsalis and Dave Brubeck, Herbie Hancock  and Chris Botti were the headliners.  

It was great to talk and see Mr. Marsalis, Mr. Brubeck and Chris Botti all of which I have had the incredible fortune of playing with.  I also got to meet Herbie Hancock one of my heroes. It was incredible!!  He talked to me for a while and is just the coolest guy.

Now I am home and taking a breather.  Playing Newport was a big landmark event for me and one I will never forget. Thank you to all of you who were there!!  And for those of you who weren’t, I hope this blog helped you imagine our concert!

 

Arrived in Poland, had some lunch.  Beautiful place, lovely town center.

Next night we performed in the "old city square ”for what seemed like 3000 people or something like that.  The whole square was filled…What a joy it was.