I've been overwhelmed today (11/30) by the tons of birthday wishes I've received in the mail, on the telephone, by email, text message, on MySpace, Facebook, Linked In, PlaxoPlus, etc.
Many of you have asked if I had special plans. Of course! And what would a day in my life (and I'm sure yours) be without the gift of music.
I am going to see Dave Koz and Friends in concert. This is Dave's 10th Anniversary Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour. Joining Dave are Jonathan Butler, Wayman Tisdale, and Kimberley Locke. Dave's Holiday CD "Memories of a Winter's Night" is #1 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz album chart.
The saxophonist is one of the most successful instrumentalists in the world, and if you want to put together a platinum library of his releases here's a list of selected titles:
2007: "Memories of a Winter's Night" and "At the Movies"
2003: "Saxophonic"
2002: "Golden Slumbers"
2001: "A Smooth Jazz Christmas"
1999: "The Dance"
1997: "December Makes Me Feel This Way"
1996: "Off the Beaten Path"
1993: "Lucky Man"
If you don't get to see Dave on his Christmas tour you can hear him on The Dave Koz Radio Show, also celebrating its 10th anniversary on the air in about 120 markets.
Tonight Dave will be blowing on the sax and I'll be blowing out candles.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Wonder
Lucinda (http://www.lucindaworld.com/), an artist I represent, called to tell me she was going to see Stevie Wonder at Mohegan Sun, Friday, November 16th.
I told her I first saw "Little Stevie Wonder" on August 30, 1963 at a Murray the K Labor Day Spectacular Show. To the best of my recollection, there were eight other acts on the bill:
The Tymes ("So Much in Love")
The Shirelles ("Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, " "Soldier Boy")
Randy and the Rainbows ("Denise")
Jay and the Americans ("Only in America")
Ben E. King ("Stand By Me")
The Chiffons ("He's So Fine")
The Drifters ("Save the Last Dance for Me," "Up On the Roof," "On Broadway")
The Miracles (lead singer at the time was Smokey Robinson, performing "Shop Around," "You Really Got a Hold On Me," and "Mickey's Monkey")
Now if you were blind since birth and 13 years old at the time and had to perform on this bill, you might have found it a bit intimidating -- but not "Little Stevie Wonder." He took center stage and performed the first of what would be many number one hits "Fingertips Part 2" and blew the roof off the Brooklyn Fox Theatre.
Stevie has provided millions of memories since then with his repertoire of hits, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1989), received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1996), and a Billboard Century Award (2004).
I have been inspired by many great artists over the years, but Stevie's spirited "Fingertips Part 2" that day ranks in my Top 10 Platinum Performances.
Fast forward to Friday, November 16, 2007 and read Lucinda's moving account of how Mr. Stevie Wonder continues to elicit great awe and rapt admiration:
So, this guy's last name isn't "wonder" by accident. For ANYONE who is a performing musician, a songwriter, or at least thinks a little too highly of themselves, it should be mandatory to experience Stevie Wonder live as a LIFE LESSON..he is beyond stellar, beyond brilliant, beyond engaging and captivating, his talent is almost to the outer edge of ridiculous.
I have seen a lot of people live that have moved me. but this show CHANGED me. I have never been so inspired by a performer in a live situation like that before.
Not only was his music incredible but his connection to the audience, the intimate stories he told of his life, 3500 people and you thought he was speaking directly to you. His opening story was about the very painful death of his mom and how she was the reason for this tour. He said he could hear her saying "Get off your ass and stop crying and get out and play."
He went on to say he called his agent at CAA and told him he wanted to go on tour. The agent said "Sure Stevie, how about next year?" and Stevie said "Uh, no, how about in a couple of weeks." The agent told him that it was "impossible" and Stevie told him that the "impossible happens."
That shot through me like a lightning bolt, and it was just the kick in the ass I needed. I cried like a baby through the whole 2 hours and 45 minutes that he performed.
From "Golden Lady" to "Do I Do," the place went nuts. I am sure everyone in the arena had a fabulous time. but I am not sure they got out of it what i did.
The impossible happens.
Damn right it does. And I am going to make sure of it.
I told her I first saw "Little Stevie Wonder" on August 30, 1963 at a Murray the K Labor Day Spectacular Show. To the best of my recollection, there were eight other acts on the bill:
The Tymes ("So Much in Love")
The Shirelles ("Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, " "Soldier Boy")
Randy and the Rainbows ("Denise")
Jay and the Americans ("Only in America")
Ben E. King ("Stand By Me")
The Chiffons ("He's So Fine")
The Drifters ("Save the Last Dance for Me," "Up On the Roof," "On Broadway")
The Miracles (lead singer at the time was Smokey Robinson, performing "Shop Around," "You Really Got a Hold On Me," and "Mickey's Monkey")
Now if you were blind since birth and 13 years old at the time and had to perform on this bill, you might have found it a bit intimidating -- but not "Little Stevie Wonder." He took center stage and performed the first of what would be many number one hits "Fingertips Part 2" and blew the roof off the Brooklyn Fox Theatre.
Stevie has provided millions of memories since then with his repertoire of hits, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1989), received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1996), and a Billboard Century Award (2004).
I have been inspired by many great artists over the years, but Stevie's spirited "Fingertips Part 2" that day ranks in my Top 10 Platinum Performances.
Fast forward to Friday, November 16, 2007 and read Lucinda's moving account of how Mr. Stevie Wonder continues to elicit great awe and rapt admiration:
So, this guy's last name isn't "wonder" by accident. For ANYONE who is a performing musician, a songwriter, or at least thinks a little too highly of themselves, it should be mandatory to experience Stevie Wonder live as a LIFE LESSON..he is beyond stellar, beyond brilliant, beyond engaging and captivating, his talent is almost to the outer edge of ridiculous.
I have seen a lot of people live that have moved me. but this show CHANGED me. I have never been so inspired by a performer in a live situation like that before.
Not only was his music incredible but his connection to the audience, the intimate stories he told of his life, 3500 people and you thought he was speaking directly to you. His opening story was about the very painful death of his mom and how she was the reason for this tour. He said he could hear her saying "Get off your ass and stop crying and get out and play."
He went on to say he called his agent at CAA and told him he wanted to go on tour. The agent said "Sure Stevie, how about next year?" and Stevie said "Uh, no, how about in a couple of weeks." The agent told him that it was "impossible" and Stevie told him that the "impossible happens."
That shot through me like a lightning bolt, and it was just the kick in the ass I needed. I cried like a baby through the whole 2 hours and 45 minutes that he performed.
From "Golden Lady" to "Do I Do," the place went nuts. I am sure everyone in the arena had a fabulous time. but I am not sure they got out of it what i did.
The impossible happens.
Damn right it does. And I am going to make sure of it.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Berklee Music Blog Network
Eric Beall's Music Publishing and Songwriting blog (Berklee Music Blog Network) is always a great read, and I was surprised and flattered to find myself mentioned in his latest entry:
http://ericbeall.berkleemusicblogs.com/2007/11/14/stepping-out-of-the-iso-booth/
http://ericbeall.berkleemusicblogs.com/2007/11/14/stepping-out-of-the-iso-booth/
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