Summer 2008
15/07/2008

I believe summer started around mid June, if I ‘m not mistaken and so far, it’s been mostly a season of contradictions as would regard the weather here, in the part of Europe where I live. When it’s supposed to be hot, it’s relatively cool and visa versa. So you say “so what?” well I found it a bit disconcerting enough to jot down my opinion about it anyway. That is because I found that I was affected by the fluctuations in the climate and it was reflected in subtle ways, through my performances to date. I don’t believe that the effect was enough to be dramatic but there is and was enough difference to alter my line of thinking in my playing on a major level but just enough for me to be aware of the difference. I think that everything in my immediate living environment has an effect upon my performance and the application of my musical ideas and stay curious as to how this plays out and is exposed through examples of my actions both sonically and visually.

Schedule in June:

1/6 Sonic Mirror showing in Köln, Germany: It’s wonderful to find out that there are many who are interested in my film enough to include it in their local festivals for showing and discussion. In Köln we had a great turn out and to those who were directly responsible for this, I thank you all.

4/6 Percussion day at the new Cosmo Music in Toronto, Canada: I was honored to be in the presence of Vic Firth and other colleagues including Dennis Chambers who was set to perform as representative of the Pearl Drum company. This new store is huge and even has a café in it. I don’t remember being in a music store that had a bakery and delicatessen in it. This was indeed special but, not only for the food. I rarely get the chance to talk with Dennis or Vic sop, this made my day and helped me prepare for my performance there.

14/6 Played with Alex Rostotsky and Bass theatre at a festival just outside Moscow in a place named Archangelskaya. Of all people to run into, a living legend Yusef Lateef. Open airs are always special but this one was a bit more than that since I have not seen Brother Yusef perform for many years. The man has a special personality that appears larger than life in a way. I was told that the whole festival saluted him this year. It’s always great to play with Rostotsky and the band as they open my mind to their unique approach to playing music so that I come away with more learned than offered at the end of the day.

20/6 Dublin, Ireland: My first time in Dublin and hopefully, not the last. Jean-Marie, Christophe and Fifi Chayeb joined me for this project as Junior wasn’t available. We played some old things from the past and tried some newer bits as we have been preparing for recording dates that are now upon us in August.

28/6 Barnstaple Festival and Glastonbury Festival, UK: Asere continues to grow musically and spiritually with totally unselfish interaction on and off stage. It is now about 5 years since I first met them and it has been a great learning curve for me to adjust to the rhythm of the band as I strive to be a more effective member of the group during performances. They have helped me tremendously to come into contact with my heritage and past so, we really have a great rapport when we play together. At these two festivals we were really rockin’!

July 2008

4/7 It started to appear that I would be working on weekends and I was just getting into the rhythm of that groove when I got as call for Culture Mix to perform in Romania. It was a weird gig but fun nonetheless. Ran into Trilok Gurtu there: He played the night after Culture Mix. Unfortunately, we were not able to attend his concert since we left right after our show was finished, I think. The drive was a heavy one of about 3 or 4 hours and took it’s toll, as usual. But, this is part of the work process as the gift of the day is the time we have to communicate on stage (about 90 minutes) and I always try to make sure that I take advantage of the opportunity to play well otherwise why make this period work time and a seamless day of “no play just all work”?

12/7 Hitchin World Music Festival gave all of us in Asere to prepare for the up coming show at WOMAD Charlton Park. There is always a need to sharpen our ability to communicate through our music. This gig was no different.



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