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