wild blue yonder

The End

Wow.

I don’t know how to thank The Bad Plus—Ethan, Dave, Reid—for taking me around the globe with them. This was a culminating experience in my life. I’d not ever left the shores of America before this happened and it was the fulfillment of many long held dreams—with perks—the honor of singing in all these countries and cities for a year and a half. 

It was inspiring to “make the music” with these consummate professionals—joining them on so many stages night after night. It expanded the depth and breadth of my musical knowledge in ways I continue to discover. Equally inspiring, was to experience so many places in the world with them like London, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, San Sebastian, Budapest, Rio— just to name a few. Jet-lagged and sleep-deprived, dining or eating nuts from a bag, making hilarious movies, strolling dark streets, keeping separate spaces on airplanes or in vans, sharing books we were reading, talking politics, sharing frustrations, rushing to gates or waiting for hours in clogged airports was actually fun, full of laughs and surprisingly easy on a day to day basis. And performing with them—brilliant, always. Every night.

There are so many more people to thank. The audiences were so embracing and talking with many of those who came to hear us after shows was very satisfying and invigorating. I made many new friends, some of whom I may never see again and some of whom I keep in touch with. All of those who shepherded us from planes to airports to stages—all of them—were friendly, accommodating, kind and gracious. Most of them had  stories to tell which I’ll long remember and some of them were told in this blog. You guys were beyond awesome.

So, now it’s goodbye and farewell. I also want to thank all of you who followed along with me on this tour blog through many countries and cities. You kept me company over thousands of miles traveled, so many stages, innumerable airports and hotels and all the illuminated and sleepless nights.

This was the journey of a lifetime.

Finally, to Mary Nagan, who sent me off into the sky with final blessings as she departed this earth in her own way, this blog is dedicated to you. You were like a mother to me. I will love you and miss you, always.

London Jazz Festival (Nov 2010)

This trip was amazing. Hands down. The last time I was in London, my hotel was in the tourist district near Trafalgar Square, which was classic but just a little annoying. I don’t like traveling that way. 

This trip, I was within walking distance from Camden—punk capital of the world. I did go there and clearly, it’s changed since the 1970’s. But it was an amazing sun drenched day of perusing used clothing shops and the Camden Market, having my first experience with fish & chips (!!!), getting lost and then finally finding my way back to the hotel and to the stage in time for the show.

The show was sold out. We had a couple of encores and… I have to say that I think it may have been the best show of my year and a half tour with The Bad Plus and I’d not sung with them for more than an entire year. I pretty much sang my ass off. Even Reid commented on it.  A satisfying way to end.

After the show, our young shepherds took us out on the town. There was much music happening in London that night—as one would imagine the London Jazz Festival to proffer. I want to thank Amy, Alastair, Sophie, Frieda, Suzy and anyone else whose names I’ve forgotten for such an inspiring weekend.

Reaching Back and Getting Current

I just returned from London last night, having played The London Jazz Festival on November 19, 2010.

It had been—strangely—EXACTLY a year to the very date that I had last performed with the band on November 19, 2009 in Chicago for a film event. That gig denied me seeing Vic Chesnutt at the Cedar Cultural Center. He committed suicide about a month later, on Christmas Eve and frankly, I’ll never recover from his departure, but wish him goodness, comfort and mobility—wherever he is. 

Sadly, there are few photographs from Chicago, but thanks to Anna for providing us stage for that advertising industry blitz.

I never posted photos from the last two shows I played with The Bad Plus from 2009 and in an effort to make this blog complete, I’m going to go back before I go forward… and… here we go!