It's all worth it.

I was chatting with a fellow muso today about players that we know that have made an impression on us over the years. There was much agreement on who we found to be inspirational until he told me the following tale (shortened here).

A musician of note had been touring internationally with a group of high level players when one night he declared that he had enough of this stuff, packed up in the middle of the gig and left.

This to me demonstrates what I consider to be wrong with more than a few performers today. The player was known for being into experimental music and may not have been the best choice for the gig but, he knew what the gig was and took it on. I would not wish to cast aspersions upon anyone for expressing them selves in music but, if it gets in the way of the gig then the player needs to find another element, in what they are doing, to explore. Even parts that can appear simplistic can be raised to another level on the bandstand by changing ones approach.

I have been guilty of passing on some music during my time. Sometimes it is a specific tune or style. The justifications can be varied but ultimately they say more about me than the music.

All this to say we should all take a moment to consider why we are musicians. Is it to satisfy some idealized need within ourselves, to play with other musicians, to entertain an audience? Perhaps a combination of these.

Back to enjoying the heat of summer, at last.

Transportation

One often overlooked factor in a musicians life is getting to the gig. Different instruments require different modes of transport. If you play a smaller axe such as trumpet, sax or violin you can walk, bike or use public transit depending on distance, times and availability. Larger instruments decrease your options. A vehicle is required and, depending on what you play, it tends to be larger than most.

Early on in my career I had a few different hatch-back cars that did the trick. As long as it was just me and my equipment I was good to go. Things changed when I got together with my wife as we would go to gigs together and needed a few more bits of gear. Enter the minivan.

The minivan certainly has lots of room for equipment and people which is good as before long we had two more passengers. The joke in our house was that we needed a vehicle that could hold an upright bass and a family of four, sometimes together. We went through two minivans, our second one stopped working in our driveway the other day. What to do?

The solution is the purchase of two hatchbacks. This offers the most flexibility as they are each large enough for two people and equipment, if more equipment is needed we take along the other car, if we are on different gigs (hey it happens) no worries and, if one is gigging the other can still operate the family taxi service and take the kids to activities as need be.

All this type about cars should not diminish the fact that there are some who have very hip and cool ways of getting around sans emissions. An example for us all I think.

What Goes In

My children get exposed to allot of music through my own playing, concerts we take them to and what is available to them via recordings.

There is a strong tendency to parade around the house singing what has recently been heard. We are currently being serenaded by songs from The Beatles, ABBA, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Beethoven.

Recently they have discovered a case of old cassettes. I predict an explosion of melodies to issue forth within the coming weeks.

Upcoming gigs.

I have several gigs coming up with various artists.

Saturday June 20, Bianca Pittoors (7:30 - 10:30 PM) at Cafe Paradiso (199 Bank St., Ottawa).

Sunday June 21, Alicia Borisonik (3:30 - 6:30 PM) at the Shenkman Arts Centre (245 Centrum Blvd., Ottawa - Orleans).

Thursday June 25, Kim Kaskiw (Noon - 1 PM) at the Wolrd Exchange Plaza as part of the Ottawa Jazz Festival.

Tuesday June 30, Marc Nelson (8 - Midnight) at the Aylmer Legion.

Wednesday July 1, Johnny Vegas (10 PM - 1 AM) at Maxwells Bistro (340 Elgin Street).

Throughout the summer Thusdays (5 - 8 PM) and Sundays (11 AM - 2 PM) at Metropolitain Brasserie (700 Sussex Dr.) weather permitting.

The Full Monty

Well it is pit time again. This show looks to be fun. The music is good, the band is clicking and the singers seem solid.

For the unenlightened the plot revolves around a group of unemployed workers and their revealing idea on how to raise some cash.

Not in the pit.

I have been playing bass for a production of "Nunsense the Mega-Musical" put on by Orpheus at the Centrepointe Theatre here in Ottawa.

The music is light and fun to play and the band is good. We are; musical director Brother Patrick (Gabriel Leury), pianist Sister Mary Melody (Cheryl Jarvis Woods), synthesist Sister May Ruth (Ruth Kwan), drummer Brother Peter (Pierre Huneault), woodwindist (yeah it's a real word) Brother Michael (Mike Mullin) and me, bassist Brother Thomas.

The band is on stage for the enire perfomance. This means that we are in costume (Nuns habits for the women and Friars robes for the men) and there is a bit of interaction with the actors. As many stages as I have performed on in my career the jury is out on how I feel about being onstage during a theatrical production of this nature. There is a certain comfort level of the anonymity of the pit but, it is cool to see more of the action on stage.

Bonus points to Orpheus for the sense of community that is on display backstage and the bonza nosh that appears in the green room.

I will be playing for their upcoming production of "The Full Monty" (June 5 - 14 at Centrepointe). We shall once again be in the pit and our garb shall consist of a sock. Black, of course.

Onward

Now that 'practice month' has drawn to a close I go about my usual gig preparations.

I have a unique gig this Thursday (Feb. 19) at the Chelsea Pub (http://www.chelseapub.ca/).
I will be in a duo setting with drummer Mark Rehder (http://www.drumbent.com/) and we shall be performing 'New Standards' as well as my own tunes.

Usually we have a sax player but there's no cash for a third so Mark and I will be on the spot to keep things interesting for 3 sets. I will be playing the Baliset with full gear and doo-dads, as well as singing. Mark will have some electronics to compliment his drum kit as well, so we anticipate a fun evening.

For those who are curious as to what qualifies as a 'New Standard' it is entirely subjective. I have mentioned before that I mine fake books for tunes but, I also listen to a wide range of music. When I hear something that strikes me I transcribe it, modify it and put it in my personal gig book. This has led to having songs such as "Don't Let It Bring You Down" (Neil Young), "Ordinary Miracle" (Sarah McLaughlan) and "Local Hero" (Mark Knopfler) in my repertoire.