CRAZY

Our audience tonight - 7000 people. That's all I have to say. I am still a little in shock.

3 Days

Well, its almost time to go home for a few days. I am ready for the week break. We had a nice early morning concert this morning at the Indy Symphony Concert Hall. My first morning performance. It went well and the theatre was packed as usual. We have another concert tonight from 8 - 10 pm. The band is sounding very good right now. The sax section continues to get tighter and tighter. It is so fun when everything is balanced and in tune. I am having so much fun right now. It has become a real joy to be in this band.

Larry (our leader) continues to sound great all of the time. What a sweet sound. The ride tenor(Scotty) just keeps getting better. He has to be one of the best ride tenor players in the country. He is fantastic. I'm surrounded by monsters. I love it.The second tenor(Damian) is really good too. He speaks more languages than should be allowed. The new bari player(Ian) is very good too. He is a great addition to the section. The second alto (Me) I'm hanging on for dear life. It has got a little easier for me. Actually its my favorite job ever.

We are all looking forward to going home this Sunday and Monday. I am flying from Chicago Sunday night to Little Rock. I will be home for a beautiful 8 days. That is the last break until December 23. YIKES!!!!! I will be headed for California and Oregon after this break.

By the way, I have to mention our trombone section. It is an honor to sit in front of trombones that sound that great as a section. Also our piano player Ron Mills. He is magnificent. Wonder musician in every way. His jazz arrangements are unbelievable. I highly suggest you purchase any he might be willing to sell.

Flat Stanley is doing well. He is ready for the trip home and looks forward to seeing all is class mates in Jan. 2010.

Here we go again/lessons

Got a new drummer coming in Sept 8. Matt decided to move on.

I got a lesson with our lead alto player Kevin Sheehan. You gotta love it when you hear results after a 1.5 hour lesson. My sound got better, my sub tone became a sub tone, my tuning got better, and my playing got better on the sax, flute and clarinet. Being in this band is better than going to school. Kevin teaches me more in an hour than I could learn in a month going to school. Nothing like the real thing.

Getting Better

We finally got our good bus back. It is like going home.LOL We had a couple of days off and came back playing better. A little break always helps. We have 2 weeks of pretty much non stop gigs and get to vacation for 8 days then off to the coast of California and Oregon.

I am going to start doing a little info on the members of the band. They are all very interesting and have very interesting back grounds. All are fine musicians.

You young woodwind guys work on your doubles. It will seperate you from non working musicians. If you can double you can work.

Flat Stanley is working on the Oboe because I am not doing that. Hi Katheryine and classmates. I hope you are doing well. Stanley is really having fun.

BUS TROUBLE

Our Rocket bus died. As a matter of fact it died on the South Carolina Interstate Hwy. We all looked very funny sitting under the over pass, with 1 state trooper and two Chesterfield Fire Department fire trucks with lots of fire fighters in full gear. Why, because it's the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Very strange. Within 1.5 hours we had transfered all of our gear to another bus and were on our way. Now we have a sub bus until they get the new engine and tranny in our old bus. Thank goodness we get our old bus back. It is customised for a big band. Special area for upright bass, music, clothes, electronics for all of our computers, etc.

Ill keep you posted on the bus story. See you guys in Georgia tomorrow night.

Flute Solo?

Just a note. I have a flute solo on You'll Never Know tonight. A great arrangement by our pianist Ron Mills featuring Kate Rafferty on voice.

Alto Sax

Playing the 2nd alto book is fun and challenging. Sitting beside our lead player and our ride tenor is a great place to be. Both of those guys have been here for several years and make no mistakes. So if I make one it is obvious. So far I have been ok.

Sitting in my new spot is a complete new listening experience. Closer to the rhythm section, in front of the lead players as opposed to the far end. It is more blended and louder.

Sitting beside Kevin ( lead alto) is a lesson every day. Working toward playing as clean and precise as he does is really fun. He is going to give me a little more help with my flute. My sound is still not full and clear enough in the very low register.

Alot of you guys ask me several times who I think the best brass player is in the band. They are all good but I think Jason Bennett(bass trombone) is the most consistant. He has an unbelievable sound, dynamic range, great section play and fine improvisor. He is an inspiration to listen to.

As always, Larry( our leader) plays beautiful solos day after day after day. He is a great front man. The crowd really loves him everywhere we go.

We played for around 1800 people in the Show room at the Tropicana in Atlantic City yesterday afternoon. It was great. Tonight we play in Cape May Courthouse, NJ and then have 2 travel days to get to Peachtree City, Ga.

Hi Katheryne and class. Flat Stanley is still doing well. He really has been enjoying the concerts but gets tired of riding the bus. Im going to take him to Monticello Arkansas next Sunday for a very needed 2 day rest.