Wow

I apologize for not posting on a regular basis this month. It's been really crazy as far as my schedule. Here's whats been going on.

1. I started teaching at Georgia Perimeter College as an instructor in the music department. I teach jazz history and music appreciation. It's going well. Until this week, it's been hard to keep up with the material. Before this semester, I haven't lectured to an audience for more than 20 minutes since graduate school at Georgia State University. I'm not the type of person that likes to talk for a long period of time. I am really enjoying the college professor life. It would be nice to teach somewhere full time. My goal is to teach jazz and saxophone in some capacity

2. Gigs have been dry. I had two gigs this entire month; there was a third gig but it got canceled. Financially, it's been rough, but it has allowed me to focus on some recording and some goal setting for the year. I love the groups I played with for the past few years, but I want to spend more time playing the music that I love, jazz. It's not a lucrative way to go, but I enjoy the freedom. Don't get me wrong, If the right musical situation comes along, I will take the gig. I write more on the recordings on a later posting.

3. I have lost some private students. It's frustrating and a relief at the same time. I've lost the students who didn't practice and the ones who take lessons because mommy says so. I get the impression that some of my students just don't like me as a person. That doesn't matter to me because I don't do what I do to be liked by anyone (although it helps from time to time).I help the people who want the help. If you want to goof around in lessons, you'll eventually find someone else to bother because you won't do it to me. That's my stance on private lessons. I believe that rubs people the wrong way. Some students just want to come in and do nothing. I refuse to accept responsibility for your lack of preparation and laziness.

4.Speaking of recordings, I am working on 3 CDS : Solo sax, electronic, live jazz. I hope to have them done all this year. It would be nice to push them all out at the same time, but that's just too expensive for me. I love being an independent musician. I'm in control, but I know I'll need some help. Lucky for me, I am bringing in a few musicians who are more than willing to help and it won't cost me too much. Click Here to hear some electronic samples of what I'm doing.

That's it for now. I will do my best to blog more in 2010. Later...