Memorial Day coming

Thurs. May 22. 9:35 pm. Yankees and Orioles are still tied at 1-1. Tomorrow Carol and I travel to Woodstock for the holiday weekend. We haven't spent a weekend there in almost 2 years. Tomorrow is also Shoshana's 3rd week birthday. Hooray!!! She' and Mom are doing well. Last week's big gig with SwingTown turned out to be exciting. Carol loved both performances. Last week we went to see Dr. Berman on May 14th. Numbers are holding. She said "see you in 4 to 6 weeks". Yahooooo!!! So I saw the Nutritionist on 53rd street last Thursday, and Dr. Farooki (Endocrinology) re: Diabetes control yesterday. We're doing better. More to learn/control etc. John and I played fiddle music today. Had a good time. We'll try to get back to Maplewood for the Memorial Day Parade. Enjoy the start of the Summer season Y'all. JIMBO

Shoshana Eve

Wed. May 7, 2008. 5:15. We leave tomorrow morning to go meet Shoshona Eve (named for my Dad, Elwood Buchanan). Carol spent last weekend there but I had gigs etc. So it's my turn to hold her. Also Friday is Grandparents Day in Ben's school, and the California Grandparents (The Harrises ) will also be there. We'll all have a grand time. Rebekah is doing well. Baby is good. Maayani is ecstatic. Can't wait.
Tonight rehearsal for the May 17/18 gigs. Yesterday went with John Sepe to Carnegie Hall to hear the Phila Orch do Mahlers 8th Sym. Great performance. Eschenbach. Fine trombone/tuba sound and bass section (Go Harold Robinson and team). We had a great day digging sounds. This am Carol and I hiked up in the Reservation. Perfect day for a hike. Birds etc. Enjoy this beautiful Spring. Peace. JIMBO

Its a Girl!!

Sun., May 4th, 12:05 am. What a week!!! Our 3rd grandchild was born yesterday (Friday I mean, May 2nd) at 2:34 pm. She weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. and measures 19" tall. I'll let you know her name after Minyan on Monday. Meantime Carol is in Bethesda with Ben and Maayan, and visiting Mommy Rebekah, Baby and Dad Rabbi Greg Harris. Alot of Gregs family is there for support as well, and they have terrific friends with growing families all around. I had a gig tonight so I stayed home with the Great One (my Mother in Law Mildred) this weekend. Went to hear a fine choral concert last night at Montclair State (where I met my bride). Heather Buchanan is a magnificent conductor. She's taking those kids to Russia, a terrific program of American composers, some Russian and of course Gospel tunes. Bud and I really enjoyed the concert. Then at 4 today went to Bev Perlman's beautiful home for a fundraiser for Global Theater Arts Project performance/social with Bahati and Ahmondylla. Wonderful music and food and people. Tonight we had SwingTown play for the Livingston Arts Council fundraiser at the new Livingston Library. What a beautiful place. We were a big hit. Ronnie and Barbara were there; he said it was the first time in along time he could really enjoy the music at an affair. We tried to get everyone up on the dance floor. Worked very well. Tomorrow morning 9am rehearsal for a Church Service at 9:45-12 noon at Wyoming Presb. Ch in Millburn.Tuba/Brass Quintet. Then, 2 pm rehearsal with Jay for a TV spot next week (Upright Bass); then 4-6 Booksigning for Tricia at Emily and Dans beautiful home. I think I'll skip Mondays rehearsal and get down to see my new Grandaughter as soon as possible. Meantime, peace everyone. I'm feeling strong and feel blessed with your support, prayers, blood and platelets, friendship, and love. Thanks for all your support the past year plus. I've spoken to 2 close friends in our musicians family here this week who need this kind of support now. My heart, prayers, and love go to them as they work their way through to a life in which they can live beyond cancer. I'm trying to learn to be there for others what you have been for me. I'll never forget words to me from another musician when I was first diagnosed in the hospital. His support is with me every day. As Jon wrote about my Grandaughter : Mazeltov and "go TEAM "(the support TEAM which Runs for Leukemia and Lymphoma). There is joy in working on the TEAM to help patients, support survivors, and remember our dear friends and relatives who have dealt with disease. Enjoy this beautiful Spring. NEW LIFE. JIMBO