Mission Complete...almost

The tracks for the 1st OMP CD are complete...now to figure out order, master, copyright,etc...all of the fun stuff. I'll probably have for sale in about a month for the loyal fans (digitally from my webpage, until the CDS have been ordered) then make available on CD baby, iTunes, etc..

Will this album make me rich? probably not...I'm creating electronic music because it combines two items that I love dearly: Music and technology.

Click Here to go to the Odyssey Music Website

Progress

As I'm typing this, I realize that I have so much material...I just need to finish it all. I am happy that the gig prospects are looking better each week. I know, however, I have to get out there and get my hustle on. It's a business!!! If I'm not making myself available, I won't be working.

On the CD front..I shall have at least one release by the end of summer. I plan on 4 by the end of 2011. I know that's alot, but I have that much material. Again...I need to finish it.

Shortly, I will be changing the reverbnation accounts to reflect these changes.

TTLY

Time to upgrade

My G5 tower is close to retirement. For those of you who don't know, we use apple computers in my house. We bought our G5 in 2005. It's time for a new computer. I will begin the process of backing up everything again so that, when ready, I can transfer to the new computer. I just don't know what to get. I will probably end up with an iMac.

Time wasting

Ever felt like you're wasting your time? I feel that way sometimes with my teaching and in performing. NO one listens and people want you to play for free.

One thing that keeps me from going crazy are the few students that do listen.

Over the last day or two I felt like I've been wasting my time. If all I'm getting out of playing is 75 a gig, I need to find something else to do. My need for musical preference has been surpassed by the need to pay the bills, and right now there a quite a few of them. Keep in mind that not every gig is a 75 dollar gig. I'm just ready for something big to happen, otherwise I feel as though I need to find something else to do.

I understand that I shouldn't be thinking only about money, but I have a family to take care of and they need me.

Let's see how I feel tomorrow...

Duo Gig @ Collard Green Cafe

Tonight I had a gig with Daniel Padron at a soul food restaurant in Lithonia GA called the Collard Green Cafe. We payed a bunch of stuff from Daniel's tunes to some R&B material. The crowd seem to enjoy themselves and I believe Daniel and I had a great time.

We talked about doing more duo gigs. The person that hired us for the gig wanted Daniel and I to play some music from his CD. Daniel prepared the charts and
we played his tunes. He was so excited that we talked about playing more together.

One of the highlights of the evening wasn't the music but the food. I felt like I was back at home in my "Momma's" Kitchen. The food was amazing. I would highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area.

Tomorrow is a rehearsal with The Usual Suspects, then preparation for the week. The great thing is that there are only 5 weeks left in public school and 2 weeks for the college kids. I'm glad because I need a break. TTYL.

Gig with Northside Choral Jazz Ensemble

Last night (its Saturday Morning, 12:40AM) I played a gig with the NCJE (Northside Choral Jazz Ensemble). I really didn't know what to expect fir a gig like this. There was a small jazz ensemble...there was a chorus. Both were put together to play some music. I actually had a good time. My instruments were alto sax, clarinet and flute. I only played flute on one tune and had a good amount of clarinet. It's a good thing I've been practicing lately.

NCJE is filled with good people who have a lot of passion about music. Even though the members work hard to learn the music, they act as thought it's not work at all. It is also refreshing to play with and for people who appreciate what you do as a musician.

We had some heavy storms tonight...there was a rumor of a tornado, but we kept on playing.

The bari player used my bari sax from Saxophone.com

He actually loved the tone and response he got from the horn. My tenor is from the same company and it has been great on gigs. I was enjoy someone else play that baritone sax.

That's about it...later on Saturday night, I have a duo restaurant gig with Daniel Padron we'll pay a variety of stuff (jazz, latin, r&b, etc.. It's good to be a working musician. TTYL

Wine tasting @ Java Monkey

Last night, I played my regular twice a month gig with the Adrian Ash Group at Java Monkey. The band sounded great on a few of the charts. We went over a few things we haven't done in a while but they came out OK.

I worked the tip jar and we think we got the most in tips we had in a while. It make me realize again that if I want something, I need to ask and not expect people to know what I want.

I started the gig on tenor but quickly changed to Alto sax to cut through the screaming guitar...which Guy was playing well last night. I think I like to play my alto more. It gives the music more of an edge when I put on my imitation David Sanborn sound. So I think I'll be playing the gig more on alto.

Tonight I have a swing dance gig...I will give more details on that later

Recording has started...

Tonight, 2 tracks for my upcoming Jazz CD release have been recorded. What I've decided to do is to have a few tunes that are sax/piano only and about 4 tunes that are the full quartet. I'm just happy that things have gotten started. My goal is to release this CD in time for Christmas 2011 and start doing tours to promote the CD in 2012. In late May/June, the quartet tunes will be recorded and by the end the summer, I hope to have the recording done. It's late and I'm going to bed..later

Possible CD cover

This is one of the possible pictures I've thinking of using for a future CD cover. One of the projects I'm working on is a smooth Jazz CD. Most of the tracking I will do in my home studio and I'll call on a few friends to do some other stuff. Let me know what you think.

Discipline

As a musician, I am realizing again that I have to be disciplined in my practice and in my studies. I've let my own laziness get in the way of getting it together. Besides my family and work and my spiritual life, practice is necessary.

I have to be disciplined in my blogging and my other writings. I haven't blogged in two months. I promise to be more disciplined. Besides, a blog's purpose is to communicate to the reader my thoughts and feelings and ideas. I need to do that...there's a lot going on and I want to share it. I will blog more...I promise