Natalia Vicki Cohen - One Year!!!

Good morning music lovers! With fatherhood being such a big part of who I am now, I suspect that this journal will be as much about that part of my life as music. I hope those of you who have either already sailed that ship, or are not interested in it altogether, will find something amusing or entertaining (if not particularly interesting) in my little anecdotes. Fear not however, as there will be plenty of reports from the gigging front. I'm embedded with the Local 47 here in the mean streets of Los Angeles.

A couple of new and interesting gigs on the schedule...

Tonight I'm playing with one of my favorite guitarists in town, Jamie Findlay. Playing in a duo situation can be challenging and often result in some very satisfying music. The intimacy, coupled with the element of being so exposed - just two "voices" interacting - leaves little room for extraneous noodling. Every note must count; everything executed with intent and assuredness so that our small but mighty ship sails undaunted through the murky waters of ambiguity. Let our sails unfurl with bright, bold passages! Let the bow of our ship point forward with grace and fire! Let our...alright already.

Later this week is the return of the Adam Cohen Band to The Baked Potato. Joining us this time around is the wonderful saxophonist Doug Webb. Among Doug's many well-known employers is none other than the great Stanley Clarke. I'm thrilled to have him on the gig. We'll of course be playing music from my recent album Ritual, but also on tap is a tune (After The Rain) from my first album - from 1994! - and a couple of others that as yet have not been recorded. At rehearsal, it was nice hearing a song I wrote so many years ago and feeling like it still had some legs.

Next month is gigs with The Buddy Childers/Ron King Big Band; a fairly recent association for me. Since I joined the band a couple of months ago, it has provided me with a great deal of musical satisfaction as well as some challenges. There are a couple of bass features in the book (a wonderful book overall, by the way, with terrific tunes & arrangements) and I've enjoyed making new friends and basking in the powerful & tasteful playing of my comrades.

Finally, I have to announce the first birthday of our lovely little girl Natalia! Yup, as my Mom used to say, one year ago I had such a tummy ache! Of course I'm really referring to the lovely Beth, but I had to share that with you. The official date is 12/13 and we're having her party on the 17th. She's become quite enamored (in as much a one-year-old can become enamored) with Sesame Street and in particular the character Elmo. So the whole theme of the party is Elmo! Elmo plates, cups, signs, etc. Don't tell her, but Mommy & Daddy bought her an Elmo doll!

Okay folks. I'll sign off before I lose my hip musician-type status.

Until next time...
--Adam  

Fall

Greetings, and hoping everyone had a safe & happy summer and wishing everyone the best for the remainder of the year! Much time has passed since my last entry and, as one would expect, a lot has transpired.

First, as you can see from the picture, Natalia is growing leaps and bounds (the photo is from July so imagine even more changes) and has become a delightful, beautiful, and precious little girl. So much personality! Like her mother, she has a keen sense of humor and is always ready to entertain. Unlike her father, she has yet to embrace the afternoon nap (see photo as I'm trying - unsuccessfully - to get her to join me). She also has made several friends in the neighborhood and already seems to have her "crew" in place. They have a secret handshake that I'm hoping she'll share with me.

Beth, as beautiful and talented as ever, is in the process of finishing up a script for a pilot that she and her partner are developing. If the laughs emanating from the room where they work are any indication, it's sure to be very funny. Aside from that, Beth has embraced motherhood in a remarkable way. I can't believe the joy I feel from watching the two of them hang out together.

On the musical front, my schedule is peppered with a nice variety of work. Last month saw the premier performance of my band at the world famous Baked Potato in Studio City, California. It was the official CD release party for my album Ritual. All my expectations were exceeded as the band played brilliantly to a packed house full of what turned out to be a very appreciative audience. It came on the heels of some very nice reviews from bassists Darryl Jones, Jimmy Haslip, the website ContemporaryJazz.com [Rob Young], and the latest issue of Jazz Improv Magazine. Here's hoping the momentum continues as we approach the new year. Additionally, there's gigs with Connie Stevens, Carlos Cuevas Trio, The Dave Hill Band, The San Gabriel Seven, The Buddy Childers Big Band, The Bill Fulton Band, The Bruce Eskovitz Jazz Orchestra, and vocalist Bernie Meisinger. Session work includes new releases from vocalist Christina Linhardt and guitarist James Moody. I also subbed on the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, which provided a real kick in the ass if only for the reasonthat I never felt so much pressure playing a two-beat for 90 minutes in my life!

On that note, I will humbly sign off as classical bassist Gary Karr sends me off to the practice room, tail between my legs.

As a former employer of mine likes to sing..."I wish you love".
--Adam       

Spring Has Sprung

5/8/06, 4:40pm - Nearly five months have passed since my last entry and I feel it's time to put pen to paper (so to speak).

Speaking of time passing; guess who's 5 months old on the 13th? Yup, our little Natalia! Cute as ever and now expressing herself - short of actual words - in every way, including that patented smile of hers that simply brightens every room she's in. The love I have for that little girl is beyond description. As for mommy, she's back in the thick of things with a new show she's developing and, by all appearances, it looks like "Half & Half" will be returning for another season as well. Lots on her plate and she's embracing it with a renewed enthusiasm.

And daddy? Daddy is proud to announce - finally! - the release of his long-awaited new album Ritual. Ten all-new, all-original tunes that span a variety of musical genres; jazz, fusion, Brazilian, ballads...all tied together by yours truly on acoustic & electric basses. Where can you get it, you say? Well, I'm glad you asked! Go to my brand new website: www.adamcohenmusic.net

Also on the music front, I recently returned from a brief stint with Connie Stevens, playing shows in Portland, OR and Houston TX. It was great fun and I enjoyed both the musicianship and comraderie of my bandmates. Connie, at 63, is lovely as ever and simply a delight to work with.

Well, I hear the baby crying so I'll sign off for now and return in much sooner fashion for my next entry.

Until next time...
--Adam

2005: What a year!

1/5, 5:11am: So, 2005...Did much happen for me? All I can say is, what a year!

To recap:

By this time last year I had just received news that I had been offered the bass chair on the Engelbert tour after filling in last-minute the month before (12/04) for a week in Malaysia. You know, just the craziness of being flown to Malaysia for a week should’ve given me a clue I was in for an eventful year.

Fast-forward to April and I’m awakened out of a dead sleep by my wide-eyed girlfriend bearing the news that we’re going to have a baby. “Holy shit!” would have been my natural response but, instead - already mindful of being the sensitive partner - I hugged her and said something I’m sure Dr. Phil would have approved of.

In September, Beth and I moved into our dream apartment. With my humble belongings and Beth’s (what can only be described as Streisandian in its copiousness), we moved our stuff into our new place and began the seemingly endless task of unpacking. We are now quite comfortably settled in and Beth has even allowed me some closet space in the baby’s room.

In December, well, it was the grandest way to cap off what has been perhaps the best year of my life…little Natalia Vicki Cohen entered the world at 12:24pm at 7lbs., 6oz. There is nothing I can ever do to top that creation! All I can say is that I had the best co-writer I could ever ask for. Baby, here’s to a lifetime of comedy & drama with our little girl in the starring role!

And, though I’m beginning to feel like it’s the Santa Monica Blvd. Project (you‘d have to be an Angeleno to understand), I’m in the final stage of launching my second greatest creation; my new album “Ritual”. I think I can safely anticipate a February release.

Armed with a beautiful and supportive family, my terrific father healthy and proud of his new granddaughter, and a boat-load of diapers, I am ready for ‘06. Here’s to making it happy, healthy, prosperous, and satisfying for all!

Happy New Year!

--Adam