Sorry.. it’s been awhile!
Monday, August 31st, 2009I know .. you’re thinking that geeeeeeeez, where’s Patrice’s blog? Well admittedly, it’s been a long time, but I have been busy and it’s been a blast!!!
I’ve played some concerts in Europe which started in early July w/ Lee Ritenour. It was a great band w/ drummer Will Kennedy and electric bassist Melvin Davis. We have played in some great cities and for some amazing and enthusiastic music lovers at clubs and jazz festivals in , Paris, Rotterdam’s North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreux, Stockholm, Asschaffenburg, Straubing. Our last two concerts were in Madrid and finally London .
Each city and audience has it’s own special charm. This tour started on July 7th. I watched Michael Jackson’s memorial service from my Paris hotel room as I attempted to recover from some wicked jet lag. Our first gig in Paris the next night was for an appreciative audience. It was a great ‘blow out “ for everyone. It was a good release . R.I.P. Mchael.
At North Sea Jazz Festival, I seemed to run into so many musicians from the USA that I rarely get to see. In addition to our show (which was very well received and we had a great time), I caught Roy Hargrove ‘s group and Joshua Redman’s trio. WOW. Both so different and soooooo killin’. What was common in both contexts , however was the presence always of supreme musicianship and craftsmanship. These wonderful players and their bands are continuing to create and grow. Their command and respect of the jazz tradition in evidence as they reach for the heights in their expression on every tune . Artists without fear …at once in total command and operating at the “edge of the cliff” .. riding the waves of creative forces and faith which allows for experimentation and “controlled abandon”. A BEAUTIFUL THING!!!.
Yes, I should have been blogging,,,,,,,,but due to the world’s economic situation and it’s frustrations, we worked nearly everyday… hardly any days off. That means there were days that I actually had to choose between these two scenarios : Do I eat before the show? Or should I sleep ? Yep, it was that kind of schedule.
After the tour, I returned home. Tired.. but inspired. I’ll share with you more what I’m doing about that in next blog entry. Promise,.. it won’t take so long!!
Stay tuned!