A Night At Birdland

I recently had the opportunity to hear Karrin Allyson at New York City's Birdland. I had been anxious to see Karrin and other old friends who either currently or formerly plied their trade from the Kansas City area. I got more than I had expected.







I managed to see three sets over two nights. The performances were mainly devoted to songs from Karrin's most recent album, Imagina: Songs of Brazil. Karrin was joined on stage by a slightly altered and pared down version of the grouping from Iamagina, Rod Fleeman playing guitar, Todd Strait on drums, vibist Steve Finley and Ed Howard, replacing David Finck, standing up with the bass. Karrin split her time standing in front of the band and at the piano.

Both evenings the first set was opened with A Felicidade, a fitting starting point for an evening's musical journey through Karrin's take on Brazilian jazz interspersing a number of favorites from previous recordings.














Throughout the evening the rest of the group got plenty of room to romp. Rod Fleeman received a number of roars of approval from the crowd. Also well received during the second Friday night set was the appearances of KC jazzers Randy Weinstien and Eldar Djangirov joining the group on harmonica and piano respectively.


Sorry but I'm having trouble getting the photos to format properly. Enjoy the pictures anyway.

How To Make A Buck

My friend HIB often questions the efforts (or lack thereof) of many of todays jazz musicians marketing plans. My recent trip revealed some of the cruder ways of soliciting the buck from fan or curious tourist.






Although the CD in the bag was recognized by iTunes.



The day's entertainment (less beer cost) was $20 and I get a CD out of the deal. At least one other person enjoyed the music. A lot different then the $40 cover + $10 minimum per person per set rules at most NYC clubs. More on that experience later.

I Was Thinking I Was A Little Behind

My contribution to the internet. My niece has been doing a study of Rodin's Thinker. Curiously, no views from the *ahem* rear perspective seem to be available on the internet. Just hope the tulips nearby will survive the frigid temperatures predicted for tonight.

How Do You Get To Carnegie Hall?

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? The answer used to be "Practice, practice, practice." You may still have to practice to get there but the hall does do a good bit of tourist business renting out the space for any number of student or amateur organizations. I'd rather not have had to pay for the experience this past weekend but I was happy to pay for the privilege. (I still practiced quite a bit.)

Spent my money on beer, street musicians and pedacabbies who didn't know Westside from Eastside. He did manage to cross Times Square three times on the way to our destination. I made better headway on foot.



Now, back home, time for reflection and plenty of rest. Time to start practicing for the ensemble's next performance. Come hear the group at the Village Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 27th, 7pm.