NEW YORK DAY TO DAY

So I'm getting back in the swing of things, a bit. I haven't been gigging all that much, I'm in a bit of a lull, and so have been filling my time with practice, teaching and going to hear music. The rehearsal space is a nice thing. It's great to get away from my house and lock myself in a practice room and shed for hours. Today, I did about 5 hours and then played a free session with a great violinist/violist named Tanya Kalmanovich who is the "idealisator" (as they say in Brazil) behind the Douglass street Collective. I had heard George Garzone playing trio the day before (with John Lockwood and a drummer named Tony Falco) and so was inspired to play free. I've always gone back and forth between two poles--playing jazz (or swing, standard or form based music) and playing free music. They are the antidotes for each other for me and often I've taken a turn in one direction or another when I feel things begin to get stale. Anyway, it was nice to play some open ended things after all of the "straight-ahead" music I've been playing the last couple of years.

In the last week or so, I've heard Keith Jarrett with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, Danilo Perez with Ben Street and Adam Cruz, and the fringe last night. All were amazing in their own ways. Especially memorable was Lee Konitz sitting in with Danilo and the trio. Danilo Perez is one of my favorite compers, with huge ears and a beautiful harmonic palette. Very inspiring. Next week I am off to Holland so...see you after that.