Monday, March 17, 2008
Incredible young musician
I'm up surfing the net after a jazz band rehearsal and I found a website for a 15-year old saxophonist named Grace Kelly. She started playing when she was 10; in that short amount of time, she has accomplished some incredible things. Click on the link and check her out.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
News
I found out last night that one of the bands that I play with on a regular basis may be a feature group for the 2008 Atlanta Jazz Festival. This might not be a big deal for some, but this is huge for this band. I'm hoping that this will push this band to get to the next level as far as gigs, rehearsing,making a CD, etc... I don't want to give all the details until it's 100% official.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
After gig wind down
Sunday Morning 1:00AM (Really 2:00AM because of daylight savings time)
I did a gig with one of my former college professors Greg McLean. He is a really good trumpet player from her in the ATL area. This was a fun gig because we got to play a variety of music from Jobim to Mustang Salley. The other musicians on the gig were great players as well.
Atlanta is so full of talent in all genres of music. The problem is that there are not enough places for musicians to work. Talking to older musicians who have been in ATL for 20+ years,they tell me that the late 70s-80s were a better time for musicians here in Atlanta. I'm forced to wonder if times like that will return. With the talk of a depression and soaring gas prices, it will not surprise me if things get worse for the musicians here. I don't know, but I try to stay positive most of the time. I always felt that you have to go out and find work, not wait for work to find you.
When I was in college, I was hustling gigs all of the time and people were calling me. I feel that I need to return to that mindset. I can't wait for someone to call me or go to my website. I think my mindset was that this is a business, not a hobby or just some "thing" that I do to past the time. I've noticed when i had a business mindset, I was treated with respect. Just something to think about. i have to remind myself of this constantly.
I did a gig with one of my former college professors Greg McLean. He is a really good trumpet player from her in the ATL area. This was a fun gig because we got to play a variety of music from Jobim to Mustang Salley. The other musicians on the gig were great players as well.
Atlanta is so full of talent in all genres of music. The problem is that there are not enough places for musicians to work. Talking to older musicians who have been in ATL for 20+ years,they tell me that the late 70s-80s were a better time for musicians here in Atlanta. I'm forced to wonder if times like that will return. With the talk of a depression and soaring gas prices, it will not surprise me if things get worse for the musicians here. I don't know, but I try to stay positive most of the time. I always felt that you have to go out and find work, not wait for work to find you.
When I was in college, I was hustling gigs all of the time and people were calling me. I feel that I need to return to that mindset. I can't wait for someone to call me or go to my website. I think my mindset was that this is a business, not a hobby or just some "thing" that I do to past the time. I've noticed when i had a business mindset, I was treated with respect. Just something to think about. i have to remind myself of this constantly.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Surprise Gig
Some good news....
I got called last night to do a gig tonight(Friday). It's my mother-in-law's birthday and I was supposed to go spend time over her house, but the Passmore family is in need of funds.
My Electro-acoustic piece "March to Exile" will be played at the "Unseen Forces II" concert on April 17 at the Three Bears Cafe in Marietta, GA. It seems to me that the network of composers here in Atlanta are more connected together than that jazz musicians (IMHO, and I hope I am wrong).
I got called last night to do a gig tonight(Friday). It's my mother-in-law's birthday and I was supposed to go spend time over her house, but the Passmore family is in need of funds.
My Electro-acoustic piece "March to Exile" will be played at the "Unseen Forces II" concert on April 17 at the Three Bears Cafe in Marietta, GA. It seems to me that the network of composers here in Atlanta are more connected together than that jazz musicians (IMHO, and I hope I am wrong).
Thursday, March 6, 2008
More thoughts
Right now, I am between classes at my school. I enjoy teaching the students here;however, I believe I am at a point in my career where there is a time for a change. I don't know what, but with my mom being by herself and her health on the decline I need to be in a position where I can take care of her and the rest of my family.
Also, I know that I don;t want to teach in public school forever. I've said many times that being a part time musician is a good thing. I miss going to sessions and Have studio work. I want to work my way back to earning an living playing gigs,writing music and teaching music (on my terms, not dictated by the board of education). I feel like I spend more time babysitting my classes that actually teaching some music. I know it is not that way all of the time, but I did not spend all of those years in college just to teach. Believe me, I know that teaching is rewarding and I have seen some pretty amazing things that my students have done. All I am saying is that I feel that the time has come for a change.
Also, I know that I don;t want to teach in public school forever. I've said many times that being a part time musician is a good thing. I miss going to sessions and Have studio work. I want to work my way back to earning an living playing gigs,writing music and teaching music (on my terms, not dictated by the board of education). I feel like I spend more time babysitting my classes that actually teaching some music. I know it is not that way all of the time, but I did not spend all of those years in college just to teach. Believe me, I know that teaching is rewarding and I have seen some pretty amazing things that my students have done. All I am saying is that I feel that the time has come for a change.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Canceled Gig
I found out yesterday that the Gig I had at Endenu tonight has been cancelled. I understand why. There hasn't been anyone coming for the past two weeks, and the restaurant/club doesn't want to pay for services that they do not need.
Who is at fault for the lack of an audience? Everyone!!!! The band that I play with does very little to advertise when the group is performing. We don't have a CD and we REALLY need to get one done (I understand that this takes money, see previous postings)
The club is at fault when there is lack of advertising for their event. Also, I would not have live music on a Tuesday night, unless you hire one person to play in a restaurant/coffee shop atmosphere. Most of the clubs here in the ATL don't have live music in the beginning of the week.
I am not saying that live music can't happen in the beginning of the week. It seems to be really hard to do, unless you do some serious advertising.
I'm not upset. This is an opportunity for me to spend time finishing my CD and hanging with my wife and daughter.
Who is at fault for the lack of an audience? Everyone!!!! The band that I play with does very little to advertise when the group is performing. We don't have a CD and we REALLY need to get one done (I understand that this takes money, see previous postings)
The club is at fault when there is lack of advertising for their event. Also, I would not have live music on a Tuesday night, unless you hire one person to play in a restaurant/coffee shop atmosphere. Most of the clubs here in the ATL don't have live music in the beginning of the week.
I am not saying that live music can't happen in the beginning of the week. It seems to be really hard to do, unless you do some serious advertising.
I'm not upset. This is an opportunity for me to spend time finishing my CD and hanging with my wife and daughter.
New CD becoming available
I have decided to release my CD in a sort of different way. As tracks are mixed and mastered, I am releaseing them for sale on my web site jpassmusic.com When all of the tracks are finished, they will become available on dowload services such as Itunes,wal-mart, etc.. and I will have a limited amount of physical CDS for sale.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Recent Thoughts
As I am completing my 1st CD of Ambient/electro-acoustic works, I have a few things on my mind.
1. I want to be able to earn more through writing music and arranging
2. As much as I love teaching, I don't want to teach on a full time basis
3. I want to pick and choose my direction in life.
4. I want to gig more (average 3-5 days/week goal making GREAT money)
All of these things,I believe, are possible. I have to have the business sense and the 'heart' to go out and make it happen. Nothing great happens by just sitting around and complaining about the situation. I have to get up and go do something.
1. I want to be able to earn more through writing music and arranging
2. As much as I love teaching, I don't want to teach on a full time basis
3. I want to pick and choose my direction in life.
4. I want to gig more (average 3-5 days/week goal making GREAT money)
All of these things,I believe, are possible. I have to have the business sense and the 'heart' to go out and make it happen. Nothing great happens by just sitting around and complaining about the situation. I have to get up and go do something.
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