Saturday, May 7, 2011

Update from Germany

It's not always easy keeping up with one's blog and I've been neglectful as of late. My trip out to North Carolina was a blast - Jim Ketch is an inspired, and inspiring head of the jazz department over at UNC Chapel Hill and I treasured the opportunity to work with him and his students on a concert of my big band music. While there, I also taught a Jazz Guitar Master Class under the auspices of Billy Stewart and spent an hour talking about some of my arranging and composing techniques with the students of Stephen Anderson's class. I also ran into Branford Marsalis and had an opportunity to introduce myself and say hello.

This Wednesday I arrived in Frankfurt, Germany and on Thursday performed in trio in Wurzburg and last night (Friday) in Hanau. It's been amazing being back where I lived for almost 20 years. I've been catching up with old friends, making some new ones, and basically enjoying the change of pace. I'm off to Nuremberg on Monday where I will be hanging out for a week of rest and relaxation - and a gig or two. It's been a busy first half of the year. Going to try to enjoy some down time before I return to the New York grind May 16th.

Keep swinging,
Russ