Happy Anniversary

Tues.,Dec. 28, 2010. We spent yesterday cleaning up from a brutal Nor'easter. About 16" of snow blown around into 4' drifts around the doors, porches, cars etc. Just as the storm began I went to Target and "Mo's with Maayan and we got good boots an gloves for the kids (and a couple of new sleds as well). Faith, the kids Au Pair is from South Africa and had not experienced snow like this before. Riv and Shosh and Faith trek back to Bethesda today and I'll take Ben and Maayan to the parks for some sledding and skiing. The wind was too much even for that yesterday, but they did get out and help shovel and play a bit in the drifts. I saw M making a fort. Tomorrow Lion King at night on Broadway, another tradition.
I grewup on a Dead End around the corner (Marion Terrace) and we could sled down the hill on the streets after a bad storm; build igloos and such, from which to chuck snowballs at each other. Great fun.
So on Christmas Eve I played bass with a Quartet at the Actor's Home (a nursing home for actors, musicians,stage hands etc.) in Englewood. The night before Brass Quintet Caroling for a Soup Kitchen in Plainfield. We love to see the eyes brighten and people come alive a bit when they hear familiar tunes. It's uplifting. Then after Shabbot dinner Friday I took Faith to an Episcopal Mass for Christmas Eve services. We selected a church with a Jazz Mass with T.S. Monk and his band with Willy Williams, my neighbor, sounding beautiful. The minister is very heavy and inspiring. Fine service, communion, etc. Then after gift giving Sat. am in Maplewood we went to Montclair to see all of Carol's family at Randi and Glenn's house. To eat, chat, give and receive gifts. An annual joy for all of us, but especially the children. On Sunday Carol and I celebrated our 46th Anniversary with our annual brunch with Budo, who made us candles and food. Another tradition. For the celebration we'll take the Cruise next week to the Caribbean. We need that break now. Thanks to all our relatives and friends who stay to take care of Millie. Well Happy New Year y'all. I've been celebrating performances from the past year on the DVD player. Fun. Stay healthy man.

Up Early

12.18.10 7am. Been up early, since 4:30...Coffee at 5..You tube of The Stones at 5:15 and since...Satisfaction...Meet Devil...You Can't Always Get...etc. Reading Keith's book on the new Kindle. Also Ben loaned me Ben Ratliff's book "Jazz Ears" to devour. Carol and I dig Crosswords. Getting gifts for friends, relatives, each other. "Tis the Season. The cards are going out. The gigs continue...some for pay, some for fun..some as a gift to people and the World...kids, neighbors, Vets, patients, the hungry, the masses. I love to be immersed in the music, whatever, the blues, country, chamber music, the orchestral stuff, the swing bands. It all involves the brain, the heart, the joy, the challenge, meeting all kinds of challenges from whoever/whatever you're playing, to where you're going etc. It's a great place to be. T and I talk about it all the time. We're getting ready to Cruise to the Caribbean with a Symphony Orchestra (listening/customer/traveler, not as a player this time). A getaway is necessary now. Usually it's Captiva, this year something different. Back to Captiva later. Waiting for a DVD of last weeks "Country For Kids" programs. I'll add it as soon as I get. Meantime here's a vid from last Summer. Have fun. Happy New Year. Stay healthy. Keep lovin'. Peace. Go For It. JIMBO

Lucky Music

11/12/10. Fri; 2:30 pm. I'm lucky to have the opportunities to make music. Yesterday morning Trombone 4 for the Veteran's ceremony;Last night rehearse in a Brass 5 for Sun. morning church service. Tonight a gig at shul, Congregation Beth El in South Orange, then to NJPAC to hear Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra...Latin and swing. Sunday afternoon Dvorak's G Major Symphony and others. So another weekend of making music. I'll play Bass, trombone and tuba. I also rehearsed with my Country Band this week, upright bass although sometimes I use an acoustic electric bass there.
Hasn't this been a beautiful Fall?? I hit a peak weekend for my birthday in Woodstock (Columbus Day weekend) , then down to Bethesda for Ben's birthday and it was incredibly beautiful in the DC area, and here it is still pretty with sun and colorful leaves in Maplewood mid November. I love the seasons here, even in the extremes...which this past summer was..extreme heat. And we'll have some zreo degree days and snow and Ice in a few months as well. I do feel I am slower at adjusting to the changes of temperature, especially from warm to cold, as I get older, but I still love the seasons.
We're all well here at home. Looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas to see relatives and spend time with the Grands. Symphonic Voyages in January.
Keep well, stay healthy, keep the PEACE. JIMBO
(Picture is at Sesame Place with the kids last summer).

Ben's 10th

10.31.10; 9:45 pm. Go Giants!! Celebrated Ben's 10th birthday Fri and Sat nites. Checked out the Rally sat. Thanks to all who stayed with Mom. Sat nite at Blues Alley with Ben to hear Kenny Garrett Band; hip, funky, REAL; Riv had him meet the artist and sign a CD. So Cool. Carol and I loved this weekend.
Thursday got to the Arboretum for a hike. Amazing beauty. Thursday night fine Jazz set at Churrasco. Great food as well. We had a ball.
Now for more music in November and get ready for Tksgiving..our favorite. Peace.

A Weekend of Music

Sun. Oct. 3, 2010; 5:00pm. We had a ball playing at Hat City Kitchen Friday night...JJ Blues with guest Joel Perry. Saturday am back to South Mountain Brass 5 at Wyoming Church. Sat. afternoon Trout Quintet at the Chamber Music study group. This morning Dvorak G Major Sym. and La Gazza Ladra rehearsal for Novembers concert. So....the season has begun. Tomorrow back to the Big Bands. Our family is excited to be going to Dylan's Bar Mitzvah soon. Next week I'll go to Woodstock to enjoy my Birthday Weekend. Enjoy the Fall...Keep healthy. JIM

Fall Beach Day

Wed. Sept. 22 at 5:45 pm. Just got back from the Spring Lake, NJ Beach. Warm sun, nice breeze, cooling waves; Grandma and Grandpa took a good nap in our beach chairs. Fun to watch people, kids, beauties, in the sea and sand. Delicious. Last night open mic jam on Blues etc. Tomorrow classical duets on cello. The season of music has begun...tonight NY Phil on QXR. The Yankees are in 1st place and health is returning to the team. Carol is busy with her libraries. Mom is clever as ever. Saw most of the family this week with Break Fast at Randi and Glenn's, then a cabaret with Bruce's gang, then Sunday dinner with Deb and Elfin. Tonight dinner with Cousins Billy and Marty. Then Yankees.
Gotta go. Keep healthy. Enjoy the Fall. JIM

Shonah Tova

Sat. Sept. 11, 2010. A Momentous date. Memories etc. Enjoyed services in Bethesda with the family this week. Especially the Grandchildren. The maturing, playful, loving, laughing Grandchildren. They love music, math problems with Grandma, and hugs for all. Joy. Today Kappy joined us for 2 Garden visits, one in Peapack, one in Mendham or close by. Beautiful properties, a perfect day. Then a burger and beer at The Sterling Hotel. Fine. I'd like to bring the Country Band there sometime. On Wed. before Rosh Hoshanah we played again at the Maplewood Pool for the seniors. 5th year in a row. Fun. Also 5th gig there this summer. Fun. Gary and his bride are at the Woodstock house this weekend for Levon Helms Ramble. Gotta do that soon. Soon back to our regular schedule. We're fortunate to have these opportunities. Looking into some new playing venues this season. Be healthy. Thanks for keeping up with me. JIM