Happy New Year

Friday, December 29. 11:30 am. We're packing to take the Grands back to Bethesda. They came up Christmas Eve with their parents and we've had a great time. Maayan had a fever/virus for a few days. Rebekah took her to see Dr. Wes Boodish who was the first doctor to examine her at St. Barnabas after her birth (in 1970). Then from about 16 to about 18 or so Rebekah worked in Dr. Jack Schwartz's and Dr. Boodish's office. Funny turn of events. So, then Tuesday to Brenda and Rudys house. Good food, gifts exchange etc. Then Boo and Greg left for Bethesda, Mom and I took Ben back to Maplewood where Carol and Maayan were resting/recuperating. Wed. we went to the PaperMill Playhouse/NJ Ballet Nutcracker. Fun. Kids loved it. Got some ballet Mice and Soldiers to sign our programs. I went backstage and greeted the musicians. Most where surprised I was looking so good. A year ago they heard I was in trouble, but most hadn't seen me since then. I do look different with this new doo etc., but I look surprisingly healthy which surprised some of them. Good to see those guys. The SwingTown gig at Centanni was fun. We have a video and a CD of the gig, thanks to Chili. Mon. night we play at 1st Night at Columbia High. I also take a shot Monday and back to the hospital for a shot Wed. Thurs. Carol has a nother easy test, then Friday we're off to Florida for a week. Fly into Tampa to see Jane and Kim. Then off to Captiva. Hopefully we can catchup to a few others along the way. Have a great New Year. Happy and Healthy. JIMBO

Sunday Music

Wynton Marsalis's music, Romare Beardon's Images visit my afternoon here on 13. It's a messy cold afternoon. Rain on top of sleet and snow. Our clouds give way to sun, then darker clouds. A slushy afternoon. Jets challenge the Patriots. Favre tosses a few as well. I can't get out to rehearsals or concerts today. Prefer to stay home and rest. Yesterday played big band in Tenafly, then Brass 5 in Millburn. Exhausted myself. So slept early last night. Maybe we'll get out tomorrow. Shot in the am. Then to Paterson for big band. Hospital Wed. Wed night SwingTown at Centanni. That's enough for 1 week!! Gotta catchup on guitar soon again. There goes the sun. If it gets cold we'll be a slipping around. Can't wait to see the kids for Christmas. We're going to Nutcracker and Marionettes and maybe some ice skating with them. Great fun for our 43rd Anniversary. Got to hear Lee with the Funk Filharmonic at Winter Garden Friday. That would be a good trip for the kids. Train to Hoboken, Ferry to the city!! Hah! Beautiful. OK. So, we're still cookin'. Thanks again for all the support. Peace. JIM

Lotta Poking Around

Thurs. Dec 6th. Yeah, there was a lotta poking around (needles) in the hospital yesterday. 5 at least. 1st bloodwork was more than 15 vials of blood. All tolled, probably less than a pint which is what I used to give in the olden days. The phlebotomist wanted me to drink some OJ for sugar support. Then to the docs evaluation including the biopsy (#2 poke) which is fine (gotta phone call from Coco about an hour ago, I'm still fine in remission at 3%.). Then Suzanne, the Clinical trial nurse for a skin test (Poke #3) which is similar to a TB test we've all had. EZ. Then over to the Adult Hospital at Memorial Sloane Kettering for the vaccination, which is 2 more pokes. One EZ, one more challenging. Then you have to sit for 30 minutes to be sure you don't have any negative reaction to the injection. They take your vitals a couple of times. I was fine, no problemo.

So, that's over. Gotta go back tomorrow to have the skin test examined, but no pokes!!
My new Bass Trombone is a gas!! I even had a chance to use it in rehearsal last night with SwingTown. Getting ready for some gigs. I'm digging the cold weather. I should go for a walk. Have a great day. Speak to you soon. JIMBO

Holidays coming

Mon., Dec 3, 7:30 pm. (Here are pix of my adorable grandaughter Maayan and my electrifying Grandson Benjamin at Thanksgiving).
We're doing fine. Energy is returning. I said to Concert Band last week I had "normal" energy for rehearsal etc. Been playing alot. Last Friday went to Dillons and bought a used Bach 50B Bass Trombone. Nice sound. Traded in my Conn. Having fun. Played it (and tuba) in a brass 5 Saturday and a big band today. Tomorrow in the tbone quartet. Fun. Yesterday was rehearsal and performance on bass of Brahms violin concerto and Symphony #2. Difficult to play thru 2x in one day. Sent Chanukah presents to the kiddies today. Took my pre shot shot today. Wed. back to hospital for checkup, Bone Marrow Biopsy, and 4th Vaccination shot in the Clinical study. We're enjoying the cozy house in this cold spell. It's a relief to feel some cold.
Fri. night went with Metsch-Ampels to a play here in town. Dylan knows the actor (see, we got connections all over!!). Next week we're up to see Alan and Elaine and dig the John Faddis big band. Then Sunday to hear Mahler with Bud at MSC. So, we're getting to enjoy the arts around here. Need to hit some galleries in NYC soon. We've been too stuck in Jersey recently. But we'll get into town soon. The guitar playing is coming. Greg and the kids sent me some interesting You Tube videos for inspiration.
Well, enjoy the holiday season. Keep healthy. Sign up please to be a potential donor to someone somewhere. Save a life.
Thanks for your blood, platelets, and prayers. Love you all. JIMBO

Post Thanksgiving

Fri., Nov. 23rd. 7:30 pm. We had 27 for dinner yesterday.Even Lori and Ty flew up from Florida for the dinner. Delicious. The food, the people, the love. Carol did a great job. The kids came up Wed. Also Wed. we went to hospital. Excellent bloodwork numbers. 3rd vaccination. Going OK. Feel good. Playing music, both trombone and basses. Studying guitar and enjoying. Oh yes, we stopped by the 12th floor to see Catriona. She was busy but could stop for a quick hug. Mariah was off. Saw Chrissy too. Also hit the 15th floor. We may bring a group to the 15th floor to play a set for the patients and for some of the staff who want to hear us work. Hope you all can enjoy this beautiful Fall weekend. We went to the Farm today. My cousins in Princeton. Saw the whole family. Great joy. Gotta go. Love. Peace. Thank you for your spirited care.JIMBO

Cold Lifting

Fri.Nov.16th. 7 pm. We're off to hear Steve and the Newark Elders playing Jazz at the Priory and eat dinner. Most of the cough is gone. Cold as well. Just a touch in the am. The vaccination spot is still angry red and itchy and a hard lump. Oi!! But that was expected and I was warned I might have lumps for quite a while. Not a bother. CB gives me a shot Mon., then to hospital Wed. early for bloodwork, Drs. exam, and 2 other Vaccination shots (3rd round). On Dec 5th for the 4th round I also get a bone marrow biopsy. So, all is proceeding ok. Had a wonderful talk with Bill Sempier in Vermont this week. He's doing great after Chemo, Radiation, Pneumonia etc. Back to lecturing and hopefully soon to sing again. I'm performing again in December. Working up to it. Am playing trombone and tuba again as well as basses. Surfed web re: survivors stories, or as Brad says "conqueror"'s stories. Interesting . Tough. The more I read the more I feel blessed and grateful.
Getting ready for Thanksgiving. Last year I had my 5th day of Chemo on Thanksgiving and the stomach erupted!! Oi vey!!
1st time we missed our tradition at home in over 25 probably 30 years. Back to it this year. We have 25 guests again. Fun. The kids will be up for the weekend to see their cousins. It's a gas!! Pete is sending me pumpkin pie again from the diner.
Did I tell you I got my bass back from Arnold's shop??? Sounds better than ever. At Gage's shop last Fri we saw John Pattitucci and an old bass owned by Jack Lesburg. History all over the place. The Concert Band wailed at the Veteran's Day ceremony Sunday. Good vibes. SwingTown is readying for Holiday parties in December. Also big Jazz fundraiser in February, then a cabaret in March. We'll play the Veterans Hospital again in January. We're keepin' at it. So, gotta go. Love and Peace. Keep healthy. JIMBO

Finally Cold

Thurs. 11/8 12 noon. Finally cold weather to slug through with my cold/cough. Yesterday to MSKCC for another blood test, chest Xray (both OK) and vaccination. It's a bit wearing (wearying??) with a cold. I was sick by the time I got home. Got into PJs and cancelled out on the Community Band. It was ok, Shelley conducted. Feel better today. Meeting this am re May gig with SwingTown, doing a Cabaret at Bloomfield College. Then this afternoon back to NYC to Gages shop to look at basses with Ian and Bob.
Would like to get to Blue Note this week to hear Clarence with Basies band but I'm still struggling with cough etc., especially at night. Maybe Sat. night. We'll see. Stay healthy. Drink hot tea!! JIMBO