Is Anybody Out There?

Haven't posted in several months and thought I'd pay a visit to the site and see if my remote posts (via my cellphone) had worked. Well, as I found out, sort of. What ended up being posted was lots of computer code but nothing resembling what I wrote. Perhaps I missed a step along the way or the technology isn't working as intended. In any event, I took it down and now catching up via my computer.

As I mentioned in my last post, I returned to Jakarta and had a great time. The event - The Java Jazz Festival - was moved to another venue within the city to accomodate a larger crowd. While it was indeed bigger, I hesitate to say it was better.

In addition to the venue being moved, the artists were also booked into a different hotel. In the past, the hotel & venue were linked by an underground walkway which made commuting to and from the venue quite easy. No such convenience this time. What was once a 15 minute walk turned into an almost 2hr. shuttle ride. Not that the new venue was that far away, it's just that the traffic was ridiculous! Though I am unsure if I will return next year, I hope the event planners will reconsider their restructuring of the arrangements and go back to what was a very efficient system.

Of course, much time has passed since then and I have been quite busy here in town with my usual assortment of gigs, sessions, reherasals, teaching and the like. I am very proud of the musical associations I've made and these past few months have provided much food for the soul. It's no mystery that Los Angeles is brimming with talented musicians; that I get to play with so many of them with such regularity is truly a blessing. As I explore the Internet and discover one great bassist after another, I hope that I continue to improve and enjoy whatever slice of the pie I am able to carve out for myself. Here's to the phone ringing!

Beth and Natalia (our 4 year old little angel) have been in NY & NJ visiting friends and relatives for the past week and a half. And, while I've enjoyed the quiet, the endless hours of baseball & movies on TV, and the time to myself upon arriving home from a gig, I am happy to be picking them up tonight at the airport and having them home. I miss my girls!

Regarding the title for this post; I'm wondering if there's anyone reading these anymore. I enjoy writing but I'm beginning to wonder to whom.

In any event, it's been a great summer of 2010. Up until the last few days the weather has been decidedly comfortable and only now do I find myself turning on the A/C. The economy has, as with most things, affected my work situation but thankfully only moderately as I seem to keep the calendar relatively full. However, not one to sit around waiting for things to happen, I'm embarking on a new career path for myself. This is not to replace my musical career but rather inject an additional flow of income from a new and, for me, a very different source. Curious? Stay tuned!

Until next time, your friendly neighborhood bassist...

--Adam

Return to Jakarta!

Can't believe it's already coming 'round but, once again, I return to Jakarta for the 2010 Java Jazz Festival. How fast the weeks and months go by!

Once again I will be joining my band mates in The Ron King Big Band for a week or so of non-stop playing, hanging, and sightseeing. In addition to the full band & quartet dates with Joel Taylor, Cho, Ron, and myself, the big band will be accompanying The Manhattan Transfer, Eric Benet, and a "Rat Pack" tribute show; all of which makes for a varied and undeniably fun time.

With this being my third consecutive year there, I've learned a few things about what to expect instrument-wise. With the prospect of bringing my own bass not within the plans or budget, I've made do with the "house bass" at the festival for the last two years and this year will be no different. While not having to schlep a double bass through airports, hotels, and buses is nice, it leaves me with an instrument that is less than desirable. One solution I've come up with is to pack a set of strings that I can slap on before our first performance. Then, after some tinkering with the bridge and amp settings, I'm hoping a reasonably musical sound will be produced. I'll report on the results.

On the home front, it's been a busy - though not incredibly lucrative - couple of months. The datebook is filled with many musically-rewarding engagements and looking around to see that I've been keeping the company of so many talented musicians is indeed inspiring.

That's all for now, I guess. Please visit my website for details on where I'll be playing and feel free to say hello.

Until next time...
--Adam

Winter 2010

Not sure if anyone still follow this blog - had a minor following during my Engelbert days - but I'm due for another post. Hope someone's out there to enjoy it.

As I write this, I marvel at the sheer volume of blogs, Podcats, articles, magazines and the like that are out there covering & addressing practically every subject under the sun. Makes it rather challenging to contribute something fresh, and worthy of the attention.

My perspective on things, though not novel, is certainly one of a field less crowded. The freelance musician occupies a space in the world that is highly visible (and/or audible) yet is often mysterious to the casual observer or listener. We peddle our wares - in this case our abilities as creative, skilled musicians - to whomever & wherever they'll have us. When I'm asked by someone what it is that I do, and I say "I'm a musician", it is often met with "Oh! What's the name of your band?". I usually reply with a smile and say that I'm not in a band, per se, but rather perform & record in various settings and that my work entails that I play a variety of music. This is sometimes met with surprise. I then try to help by pointing out that much of the music we hear in the world around us is composed & played by people who's career in music is similar to mine. We show up to a job at a specific time with other musicians we may or may not have met before, and play music we may or may not have played before, and do it with the utmost precision and musicality. Hopefully there is a fair wage to be made upon completion.

This may seem quite removed from the "Hollywood" version of the rail-thin, excitable, and chemically-altered rock musician. Let's just say we couldn't maintain careers with that state of mind or work ethic.

I sign off by expressing my gratitude for being able to have carved out at least a small piece of the pie for myself and for so many years now. As the father of a 4-year-old girl and with a family to help support, it presents more of a challenge than ever. What lies ahead is uncertain, but I will endeavor to do my best and make those who love me proud.

Until next time...
Adam