Update:

Alright alright alright. I’ll make this quick. (Depending on how fast you read.)

Update #1: Graduated College
So long The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music! It’s been a good three years (I transfered from Montclair State University after spending my freshman year there). I don’t believe that it’s over yet, but I’m sure I’ll feel it once August comes rolling around again. 

I’m impressed the way my life has gone so far, and the amount of awesome people and great music I’ve been exposed to is so important to me. I’ll be sure that doesn’t end or slow down in my post-college years. 

Update #2: Bern Jazz Festival
A great week playing in Bern, Switzerland. It was my first time out of the United States and it was the most eye opening experience. The way that country is set up, runs, and looks is totally different than the way we do it here in the states. Coming back to New York makes me realize just how young this city and this country really is. 

Musically, it was great too! I played with my good friend Ben Murphy (aka Ben Murphy Bass…. long story.), Max Zooi and the leader of the group, Dida Pelled. It was great to play straight ahead for a while. It’s such great music, and the audience in Bern seemed to be really into that style, which is a nice change of pace from New York. 

I had the chance to see a few bands play in Bern, and I can say I like the New York scene a lot more. More specifically, Brooklyn. It seems to have it’s own sound that others from around the world either can’t or struggle to replicate. I have a newfound interest in the local culture over here again. 

Update #3: Everything Else
Perhaps this is just a “Note-To-Self” section, but who’s even made it this far down on this post? I moved a drum set into my room, dampened the hell out of it so I can at least practice to keep my chops up. I’m trying to get some shows in July with Tom’s band, and possible one or two with a stripped down version of my own. I’m possibly doing a collaboration with Talia Billig in mid June as well! I’d like to start collaborating with more singer-songwriters this summer as well! 

I might be making my way to LA and Seattle in mid-late July! 

 Otherwise, life in New York is under way, and I like the amount of traveling I’ve done, and I hope to keep it going as life moves forward. 

Cue the New York Grind…

2012 Recap

This has been a tough year, but a year I will not forget. There has been so much good music brought to my attention this year. Here are my top hits. 

New School Professor of the Year:
A Tie!

• Professor Beliavsky for 20th Century Innovators.

and

• Professor Nurock for Arranging Fundamentals and Score Reading & Analysis. 

Performance of the Year:

• Ben Allison at Kush. April 20, 2011 with Mark Guiliana, Steve Cardenas and a surprise appearance by none other than Jeff Ballard. Here’s a clip from the show! http://youtu.be/VkQoP1F_fzM

Composer of the Year:

• Steve Reich. The moment when I first heard Music for 18 Musicians will be a memory that I will never forget. Also, check out Different Trains.

Runner up Composer of the Year:

• Nico Muhly. You gotta check out his ballet titled I Drink The Air Before Me. He probably deserves composer of the year, but I think Steve Reich just clinched that win. 

and finally,

Album Of The Year

• In One Wind with their new record titled How Bright A Shadow. Do yourself a favor, and buy this, or look them up on Spotify. I get so inspired to play and write music after listening to these guys. Keep your eye on them and follow them on Tumblr too!  

Also, something worth mentioning. Perhaps it is because I live in New York City, or perhaps not, but every person mentioned here has lived/is living in New York. Coincidence, or is New York really that cool? Cheers to the end of a tough year, and here’s to looking forward. (Graduation? Aye!)