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Wed. 2/11/09 7am about!
I just finished another letter to a former student from Caldwell. It seems that since I enrolled in Facebook I've been fortunate to hear from so many former students and parents. Very cool. Also alot of musicians are sharing stuff. As for You Tube forget about it. Once I go there I can hardly stop for food or sleep or anything. I'm becoming a You Tube junkie. Now Fran and Geoff sent us a Flip so I have to start entering some video on our Facebook or e mail sights. I'm a little slow on the technology end (as Al and Paula will attest) so don't hold your breath, but eventually I'll get out some videos to you all. The usual Feb. thaw is here to tease us all. The snow and ice are gone, but the cold will be back. I remember years ago spending a Feb. thaw in the Woodstock house with Bucky and Sean. We kept warm with the woodburning stove and wore sweaters even though the ground was snow covered. We used melted snow to flush. Hah!! I'm not ready for that now, but I can't wait to see Spring and get back to the Woodstock cabin. Usually around Easter or Passover. Just played our CHS music fundraiser with a fine Brass 5. A joy. Students are wailing; Region groups, NJPAC etc. I'm supposed to be in Bethesda this week but the kids have a bug, or colds, so I'll wait until next week. Meantime we have plenty to practice and prepare for here. Beethoven's 3rd, Tbone stuff, Brass 5 stuff etc. We've had some exciting and encouraging performances recently so we're moving forward. Carol and I have been trying to get to some movies, plays etc. between occasional gigs etc. Last night DEFIANCE. Heavy stuff, but an amazing movie. Hope to read more about that soon. Reading now a book about Music prodigies. Inspiring. 1st read about my teacher Gary Karr, then Mozart. Next Glenn Gould. All fascinating stuff. Can't wait to read more about Jacqueline, then Daniel. We saw the 2 of them with Pinchas in the late 60s at Carnegie Hall. She was so amazing. Her playing of course, but her mere presence in the room. I've felt that a number of times. The presence of some artists can change the vibe in a space. For me Connie Kay did that one afternoon at Fred's house. Connie sat behind the drums and everything changed...the music...the lighting...the conversations ended....the mood....the vibe. Unbelievable presence. That's why it is so amazing to be in the presence of these artists. Inspiring stuff. Energizing. Thought provoking. We're on our way next week to see Christine in Blythe Spirit. Billy tells us to be sure to get backstage. We will. Soon more Philharmonic . Last week being in a club downtown Newark at midnight was a gas. To hear Dan and Steve and Yakiko.I used to stop by the Front Room on the way home from the music studio after teaching. Miss those club years. The Vanguard was a regular. We're hoping to put a new band together soon playing some Country blues etc. Fun music. Meantime we're digging whatever is out there. Benny Golson's new album brings me back to the 1st time I heard him and Art back in the late 50s. Incredible tone, energy, soul. The NewTet. Like seeing/hearing Blakey, Horace, Bill Evans, Miles, Ron, Roy Haines etc. Artistry on such a deep level. Gary, Jennie, Leonard, Igor, Rene Fleming, Fischer Dischau, YoYo. Keith tells me Dudamel is the real deal. I should have gone to see/hear him last month in NYC. I gotta go soon. Digging his stuff on You Tube.
So, thanks for keeping up with me. I feel healthy. People tell me I look healthy, if a bit overweight. Back to MSK for a checkup in a few weeks. So far so good. We're dealin'. Thanks for your support, prayers, communications, love etc. Back atcha!! JIMBO
Things happen in 3s. I lost 3 friends this month. Drag. That's enough now, no more. Keep healthy. JIMBO

Carol and Rebekah's Birthdays

Tuesday, January 27, 7:30 am. A cold January is warmed by the thoughts of Carol's (Jan. 24th) and Rebekah's (Jan 29th) birthdays. We had a little party for Carol Saturday afternoon. Fun. The Ice Cream Cake I bought was a big hit. I'm digging some rehearsals for performances on cello, tuba, bass. Also SwingTown plays Sat. night this week for Rotary. More fun. Steve is helping us around the house with some repairs. Lee M was here Thursday to play some country blues. Hope to put a little band together there soon.
Last weeks checkup at MSK went well. I'm still healthy. Jon Flowers met us at the hospital so we could catchup. He's very busy touring with Josh Radin. Our occasional messages from Ben and Maayan are filling up our message machine. Pretty soon there will be no room for anyone else's messages. We love to listen to their voices. And our live conversations continue to knock us out. Ben loves math problems, he loves a brain challenge. He's got a good brain. And Maayan is the sweetest. A real artist with the sharpest memory in the family. Shoshana makes herself heard over the phone, but it's too soon for words from her. CB goes to see them in a week or so, and I'll follow the next week. Can't wait. Lots of opportunities coming up...performances at Prospect Pres., Beth El, JCC, Womans Club, Ron and Vicki's home, and a few niteclubs. If I can I want to get to Fla. for another week to visit friends and relatives in Feb or March. Meantime the Woodstock house awaits a visit. Maybe in February as we did the last 2 years on the way back from Rhinebeck or Lenox. Ahhhh...winter ....snow and ice.
Mom is fine. Busy as ever. Last night she even put out my cup of coffee. That's unusual, but very welcome. I think she was telling me "..if you stay home more at night I'll treat you better!!..." Hah!!
Well, Thursday is Boo's birthday so y'all go call her. I left her a message on Geni.
So, next time I'll leave a pix or 2. Peace in this lighter brighter world. Things do feel better. I have Obama's picture in my window. That's a 1st since JFK.
Thanks for the thoughts, prayers, messages, hugs etc. I'm a lucky dude! JIMBO

Happy New Year/Captiva

Tues. Jan 6, 2009. Captiva, FL. 4:30 am. As the Gulf waves ripple across the beach, and I sit here in our cabin/cottage having a nice cup of coffee I have to count my/our blessings. We're here to "dryout" after colds. I was in bed from Christmas through New Years and more and am still "fluid". Carol caught it this week from me. Now Mom has bronchitis which she got probably from us. She seemed fine Fri. when Randi and Glenn and Dylan came by, and also with Debra and Elfin on Saturday, but by Sunday night and early Mon. we could hear her lungs were laboring. So Matt came up early Mon and got her to the docs and she seems better already. Mom is the energizer rabbit. This is our 3rd trip weeks after New Years to "Tween Waters Inn". Its like summer camp and a Honeymoon all at once. John took us to the airport by 6:30 am. EZ flight to Fort Myers, then Hertz put us in the drivers seat for an EZ 1 hour drive. After a quick lunch at the Hungry Heron on Sanibel we were in our "Lindbergh Cottage" by 3:00 pm. In my Birkenstocks and bathing suit walking our summer camp here to the hot tubs by 3:30. 82 degrees mind you. Carol and I both fell asleep reading at the poolside. The water was warm for a brief swim. Delightful. I didn't drink and eat there yesterday, but I will today. Chili Nachos and Margueritaville!!! Can't wait. Sooo...we're so boring. We'll probably do the same thing we always do...rent some bikes...hike the wildlife refuge bird watching...maybe kayak again...eat and rest. We sat on the beach at sunset (5:46 pm) and it was glorious. Maybe I can get brother Kim and Jane to come down Friday and play a round of golf. We'll see. He's working pretty hard these days in the banking business up in Tampa. Last night for dinner we went to the bar here called "Crow's Nest". While we ate the entertainer who runs "Crab Races on Captiva" was barking away making fun of people and raising money for United Way. He's very funny and quik. He does this every night, 2 shows, somewhere on Captiva. He teased me on the way in because of my beret. He said I looked like one the members of the band (the Modulaters from Cinncinnati). "They all wear funny hats". He asked "are you from Paris??" and I responded "wee wee!!". That helped him get another laugh. There were kids there for this early 6 pm show, but his 9 pm show is quite raunchy and they don't allow kids in the place. Funny routine. Tonight through Sat the band will play and we'll dance etc. Last year I sat in on bass. Mustang Sally etc. Soooo....we have a checkup at MSKCC on Jan. 15th. All still looks good so far. Then we have performances Jan. 17th and more in Feb and March. My students are preparing for auditions this time of year. Fun, but scary for the kids. Good focus for all of us. I heard an amazing concert Sunday afternoonin Maplewood at the Chicken Fat Ball. Great Jazz. Frank Vignulo and amazing beautiful bassist Nikki Parrot. Then I had a rehearsal and performance with Courtney and the Ripley brothers at Prospect Presbyterian Church with Jason Asbury and Rev. Rick Boyer Sunday eve. Good jazz interpretations of hymns and Carols. Fun.
So, we had a great time with Benjamin and Maayan over the holidays even though I had to stay away due to my cold. Those kids are amazing. Shoshana stayed home with Mom who worked. Carol took the kids to see Alvin Ailey Dance at City Center. We played with the trains, read books, and when Greg came up to pick them up they all went to see a movie. Great fun. Someday I want to bring them to summer camp here in Florida in January!! OK. Gotta go. Have a beautiful winter. Keep warm. Enjoy the snow and brisk air. Again, THANKS for the prayers, blessings, opportunities for love and friendship and the music making. Let's work at bringing some peace to this troubled world. JIMBO

Good Holidays

Fri., Dec 5th, 6:00 pm Thanksgiving started off good with good numbers at MSKCC. Dr. Berman said "see you in 2 months", a 1st!! Met my friend Mary Pat in Dunkin' Donuts early election day and she was on her way to MSKCC where she's a BMT nurse on the 8th floor. She's a hero!! Carol cooked for 28 for Thanksgiving. It was a warm family/friends celebration. She's been doing this for 35 years and has great skills. Man the Grandchildren were amazing over the weekend. Greg and Becky do a great job raising those kids.
I finally got back to the gym and pool at the YMCA today; 1st time since 4 days before my diagnosis. The PT for back trouble gave me confidence to get back on the gym scene. So, here we go. Dental Hygienist Debra cleaned me up today. Feels good. It's Mom's birthday today. We celebrated with gifts and cards today; tomorrow and Sunday with relatives and food. My students are doing good. Last night we played some blues for the kids at Seth Boyden Elementary School. Fun. Hah!! I announced that when I was 8 years old I was a Cub Scout in that Gym, at 12 years old a Boy Scout, at 14 years a n Explorer Scout, and now, at ?? years old I'm playing the Blues!! Hah!!
Also performed last week at Marshall School for the lunch hours (2 hours worth) with the trombone Quartet, Bones Inc. They put our picture in the paper again (it was just in the same paper for Veterans Day performance). Played 2 rehearsals this week at Paterson, one on tbone, another on the bass. Fun. Tomorrow Tuba with the Brass 5. Soooo, I'm keeping my brain and chops alive best I can. Really the back issues slowed me down alot last 2 months. Next Wed. Concert Band. Then following Wed. SWINGTOWN plays at Centanni for a Holiday Party. More Fun. Last year we DVD'd that gig and CD'd it as well. Soooo, have a great weekend. Keep healthy (especially my dear son in law Greg who had some surgery yesterday. He's good, all's ok.) Peaceful. Hopeful. Thankful. All good things to y'all. Love and Peace, JIMBO

Election Eve

Nov. 3rd, 2008. 8:45 pm. Digging Mon night football. Skins and Steelers. I wonder if Kim is at the game?? Carol and I had an amazing time in New Mexico last week. We hit a beautiful Fall week. Aspens were burning yellow. The mountains, deserts, sunsets and BnBs were all amazing. I worked through my back pain to really enjoy the museums, galleries, churches, Pueblos, and especially the food. Of course we visited libraries as well!! Thanks to all who helped us watching Mom and visiting her. Thanks Barbara for bringing her silver dollar pancakes. John more delicious cooking. Robin a delightful smile and presence. So next Mon. I get an MRI on the back at MSK. I suspect it is just old man shit and I'll be OK on Advil etc.
Played 4 hours yesterday at Metropolitan Orch. 2 1/2 hour rehearsal and 2 hour concert on Bass. Sat 1 1/2 hours on Tuba. Today 2 hours on Bass trombone. All fun. Yet to go this week Trombone 4. I restart a small version of my gig this week. Maplewood's Cultural Affairs dude. 5 hours a week for now. Try it out. Can't wait for RJ and Marthas wedding this week. I'm the Best Man. Cool!! Then to babysit our Grands in 2 weeks. And then Thanksgiving coming up. Great. Love, and Peace, and good health to you all. And my prayers and love to my dear friends dealing with a diagnosis. Peace. JIM

October Beauty

Mon. October 6th, 8:00 pm. Enjoying cool clear Fall weather here. Saw Grands over Rosh Hoshanah. Ahhh....They are very beautiful...My back issues continue. In Physical Therapy and on anti inflamatories. Stretching, strengthening etc. All numbers from MSK continue to be good. Lots of playing opportunities. Bass, trombone and Tuba. Conducting and teaching some as well. Read Philip Roth's new book, Indignation. Read it!! Saw Woodys new movie and Rodanthe . OK. Beautiful actresses and cinematography. The editing and writing is not as good. Dug Bernstein's "Age of Anxiety" at NY Philharmonic last week. Looking forward to Yom Kippur in Woodstock. No party this year, but I may just stay up there for my birthday (Friday). Had an oil painting framed this week and finished a painting of Carol in her Garden. Must someday complete the Woodstock oil of Carol on the bed. We're getting ready for our trip to New Mexico at end of October and RJ and Martha's wedding in November in North Carolina. October 30th is the 2nd anniversary of my Diagnosis of MDS, which proceeded to move aggressively forward until November 13, 2006 diagnosis of AML in MSK. I've been blessed with wonderful care from Dr. Berman, Carol, Rebekah, Greg, Mom, John, Catriona and Mariah (Mrs. Murphy now. Should have her baby soon) and all my friends and family. Lucky me. Enjoy this beautiful Fall. Keep sane through the mess of our government. Hopefully the Change coming will straighten out the mess made in the past 8 years.
Peace y'all. JIMBO

Fall Issues

Sept. 7, 2008 1:00 am. Rain from Hurricane Hannah blew through today. Not too bad. But I'm dealing with a back issue. 5 years ago an MRI told me I had stenosis in the lower back with some fused bones etc. This has caused episodes whereby I lose all muscular control from hips to toes and it takes 5 or 10 minutes to recover. It became an issue this week when I had 5 episodes in 3 days after not even thinking about these things for months. So I had to go to an Urgent Care place and get a Scan. Doc just gave me an anti inflammatory and asked that I checkin with my family doc and followup with another MRI and a back doc. So, new issues to deal with. Meantime I rode my bike several miles yesterday, and swam last night w/o a problem. But reaching for my bathing suit I had an episode setting me back 5 minutes and alot of shock to the system. Same today while demonstrating bass bowing technique to a student. I had to excuse myself to recover. Weird. A bit scary as well. It shocks the body. Sweat; heart racing etc. So I gotta deal soon.
Meantime saw Endo Doc Farooki last week. He's happy with the A1C numbers and direction. Trying to control the sugar. They want me to get a diabetes educator appntment. This Wed. I see Dr. Berman for a checkup (once every 6 weeks). So far all Leukemia numbers are excellent. In remission. I feel good and am playing music etc. Fun.I visited the 12th floor Tuesday and spoke with Catriona, Eddie, Donna and others. Nice to see my caring friends at MSKCC. Enjoyed some parties with Carol last weekend. Week before we hiked and biked and ate in Ithaca/Finger Lakes Region. Beautiful. Thanks Randi and Glenn for the suggestion. Going to see the Grands soon. Rosh Hoshanah for sure. So, enjoy the ball games. Keep practicing. Give hugs and kisses. Smell the flowers. Dig the music. Dance!!! Sing!!! Live!!! JIMBO