The Phantom Of The Opera Is Here!

11/19 - 10:20am: So much going on and decided it was time to pay a visit to Bassikly Speaking again. Now that I'm off the road, I feel less compelled to jot down my thoughts here. But I enjoy it and I know that someday it will be a gas to go back and read where my head (my life!) was at when I wrote this stuff.

Played a private function last night at The Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. The evening's affair was The Crown Jewel Gala. Essentially, a room full of yentas wearing tiaras and dragging their poor husbands behind them to feast on excellent food and make a fuss over each other and everything around them. I've decided that this is something for Beth & I to aspire to. I've ordered a custom tiara for her. It's got a special holder and drinking tube for her Diet Coke so she can go hands-free and I figured I'd go for the real thing with diamonds & jewels and the whole bit. By the time I pay it off we'll be at the right age to attend. The music of the evening was fairly typical fair; standards/bossa novas during dinner, classic rock/R&B/disco for the revelers to dance to. I hadn't played my electric bass for a while so it was fun to strap on the "plank" and churn out rousing renditions of "YMCA", "I Will Survive", and "Honky Tonk Woman'. (Hmmm, suddenly the 2-hour sound checks with Engelbert don't seem so bad). The featured entertainment of the evening however was not us but rather an excellent performer who sang a medley of show tunes dressed as the phantom from Phantom of the Opera. Little did they know that underneath the white mask was yours truly trying to diversify and make some extra bucks for Natalia's college fund. All kidding aside, the guy was great and killed an hour while we ate our "bandwiches" and cookies.

On the home front, Beth had a lovely baby shower with all her close friends from L.A. in attendance as well as the Aunties (my aunts, Sandy & Adrianne), and my Dad's lady friend Minnie. I wasn't there, but it looked like quite a party. Gifts from L.A. to N.Y. have been arriving and Natalia's room is going to be a beautiful, comfortable room filled with lots of love. (Mom, I miss you and wish you were around to see all this.)

Work-wise, the calendar is filling up nicely with gigs ranging from guitar/bass duos to a 7-piece horn band. I'm enjoying the diversity and the challenges that many of the situations present. I have to confess tofeeling a little rusty. I've been getting back into a practice routine again but it's nothing like getting out there and just doing it. As the great guitarist John Abercrombie so astutely said "If I wanted to play by myself I'd just get a couple of cut-out dolls - a Chick Corea or Herbie Hancock doll - sit in my house and pretend I'm playing with them. But I like making music with people; that's what it's all about". Amen to that! I'd only add that I enjoy playing music for people as well. How satisfying to make that connection!

So, that's it for now. My website is officially up - www.adamcohenmusic.net - and I'll be adding audio clips of my music as well as other albums I've played on very soon. Please stop by and say hi.

Until next time,
--Adam

 

The Final Curtain

11/1, 11:40am: Said goodbye to my friends & colleagues - as well as Engelbert himself - on the EH tour last month. With so many great memories and the wonderful friendships I formed during the past year, it was a departure that was laced with mixed emotions. While I am extremely excited about this new chapter I am embarking on in my life, I am also going to miss the warmth and comraderie I had come to know on the road. Nevertheless, I move forward with eyes wide open and expectations at an all-time high.

The night I arrived home from Toronto I was right back in it with a gig that evening with jazz singer Bernie Meisinger. The upright bass has become my true love and though it had been several weeks since we’d made music together, and despite feeling a bit unfamiliar, it felt good to play it again. Fast forward to now and we’re back to feeling like old friends.

I had been concerned that it would take a while for work to start coming in - not sure how well the news of my return home had traveled - but I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how things have developed. Among the usual assortment of casuals - or as they say on the east coast; “club dates”, though neither is accurate - is a couple of nice dates I am very excited about. Later this month I’ll be working with Carlos Cuevas who is a fine pianist & composer. Carlos works within the trio format and has a terrific album out that showcases his many interesting compositions. I’m looking forward to the challenge. Also are some dates with guitarist Ron Anthony. Ron has worked with George Shearing, Frank Sinatra, and many other jazz luminaries. Playing with Ron is always a chance to learn and have some fun. I believe we’ll be in a trio format as well. I’m excited about making music with him. Also on the schedule is some dates with vocalist Bernie Meisinger (lots of great standards!), the 17th Anniversary Show for Chick Singer Night/L.A., and some private functions that will no doubt put me back together with some old acquaintances.

Finally, two very important projects in my life are in the final stages of completion. With only a little over a month to go, Beth and I will soon be blessed with the arrival of little Natalia Cohen. I have never been more excited and more unsure of what lies ahead about anything in my life! Thank goodness I have a terrific partner, a wonderful family, and great friends. I love you all. Also in the home stretch is the production of my new album “Ritual”. Final mixes are done and the project is currently in the hands of the very capable Paul Tavenner for mastering. Doing the graphics and design is a fellow from New York who specializes in jazz artists and has worked on albums from Hiram Bullock, Bob James, Larry Carlton, and Marcus Miller, among others. I think it’s safe to say the project is in good hands.

Finally, stay tuned for the arrival of my new website! Right now it’s “under construction” (web jargon which really means I don’t have a damn thing to put on it). But the domain name has been locked in, so please keep your eyes open for news on the upcoming: www.AdamCohenMusic.net !

So, to quote a familiar tune, as I face the “final curtain” on my days with the Humpy Tour, a new one rises up on fresh challenges and experiences.

Okay, music fans…stay tuned!

Your friendly neighborhood bassist,

--Adam