A little stint in Malibu

With Christopher Cross at the Malibu Beach Inn. We played a short set for an event that was the kick off to the Nautica Malibu Triathlon to benefit the LA Children's Hospital. 
Although it was still 99 degrees outside, the location couldn't be beat (I am pictured here with sax/keyboardist, Alex Budman)

Second show in Yarnell

I return to Vanessa's for another great show. I forgot to mention that Vanessa and her friend Patty Cooper opened the show with some beautiful songs that Patty wrote. The two of them sounded like angels. Jerry Florman, another dear friend of Vanessa's, was the host for the evening and was most appreciated!! After getting a bit more rest, I was really able to emote and put on a much better performance I thought. Then afterwards, a group of us stayed late and sang and played music until very late :) it was lots of fun though !!

Vocal workshop and concert in Yarnell

Sunday morning I find myself on the road again, driving to Yarnell, Arizona to make a 3pm vocal master class/workshop that I have agreed to teach. I am being hosted by my friend Vanessa Purdy, a darling vocal coach and singer who divides her time between Phoenix and the upper desert of Yarnell. She has arranged this workshop as well as two sold out concerts in her vocal studio. I arrive just in the nick of time and basically after a quick set up I am immersed in questions and offering up  ideas, thoughts and inspiration to those looking for different approaches to their music. It is so rewarding to travel around playing my music for those while raising money for the programs at the ranch. It seems that my life has come full circle as I care out a more purposeful life fulled by the things that I am passionate about.

House concert at Susy and Terry's

I arrived at my dear friend Susy's house around 2:30 after spending another few hours at the Wynn's lovely pool. It was hhhhhot! And I wasn't looking forward to setting up in the heat anyway since we didnt play until 8pm. And since I locked my keys in the car as soon as I arrived!! I was forced to RELAX and swim again in their lovely pool. My concert would take place poolside with some of the audience actually submerged in the shallow end. It was actually a perfect night. After our concert was over, the party continued with a karaoke jam that went into the wee hours of the morning. Party animals!!

@ The Wynn in Las Vegas

I headed for another journey this week. Leaving Thursday to enjoy an extra night at The beautiful Wynn hotel on the strip, I made great time through the desert and made it to my room just in time to get in a short rehearsal with Henry Cutrona my guest guitarist for my Saturday gig. Today I enjoyed a margarita poolside and soaked in the arrid, dry heat of Las Vegas. Tonite, I played with Christopher Cross at the Wynn for a private party of attorneys in the Lakeside restaurant. It was a fun gig with a great band. Alec Milstein (bass), Dave Beyer (drums) and Alex Budman (sax/keys). Afterwards, I went out on the town ending up at a cool jazz club called the Dispensary Lounge.

Abro Mi Ventana-with Christopher Cross in Spain

with Christopher Cross in Marbella, Spain

Manzanita, OR

Last night I was reunited with my dear friend Amy from LA. We met through doing Equine Assisted Therapy together back home. She relocated a couple of years ago to the Oregon Coast and is a practicing therapist. Her town is sooo adorable. She and her good friend Scottie welcomed me with a wonderful meal and after a few drinks I was well on my way to sleepy time! Today we hiked Neahkahnie Mountain as we solved mostly of the worlds problems by examining the teaching lessons that our horses have to offer. LOL!! Later I played my show at Vino Manzanita for a very attentive audience. We went back to Amy's where I continued to play every song I could fake on guitar :)

Cape Look out, Tillamook, Oregon

I drove in from Shasta to Manzanita, OR after a brief visit in Ashland where I'll return next week. As I detoured from the 5 to the 101 and through the windy roads of the more remote Oregon coast I was romanced by the dancing pines and leprechaun mist that settled in on top of the evergreen branches like cotton candy. The sun was starting to settle as I veered off the main road in search of new adventure. I saw a sign that said Cape Lookout Park and I just went for it against the loud protests of my GPS that shouted "recalculating! RECALCULATING!!" After 15 minutes through the thick forest we started to descend into darkness when bright flashes of orange illuminated my window on the drivers side. I turn to see glimpses of a brilliant sunset. Then all of a sudden the vista was revealed in it's glory and the beauty was awesome!

Fitness on the road...

 

FITNESS RANGERS/SACTO 

   MT NEAHKAHNIE/MANZANITA, OR

 

GARLAND PARK/CARMEL VALLEY

 

BIKRAM/SLO

Probably the hardest this about the road is the tendency to eat too much at night while enjoying several glasses of wine through out the evening! To avoid the obvious I searched out several options along the way to be able to fit into my show clothes while enjoying the hospitality of my hosts!

Thanks to Amy and Janni for taking on me on some gorgeous hikes!!!  Todd in Creston and Steve in Carmel for their wonderful home gyms. Then in SLO and Sacramento I went to the local Bikram Yoga studios. The kick ass workout came from Fitness Rangers in Sacto. Their bootcamp class with Jason is a MUST!

Hammond Ranch (near Weed, Ca)

Davis/Sacramento

Two concerts this weekend. One at at beautiful home in Davis. Our gracious hosts Julie and Alex Murdoch are the proud owners of Carus wines. (http://caruswines.com/) I can tell you from personal experience that their red wines from the El Dorado County foothill are very delicious.  They hosted a beautiful musical evening in their exquisite backyard. Isolde (Jame's daughter sang a solo number on guitar.  It was a little warm like 100 degrees! But still a lovely concert!

 Next day we played in Sacramento where there was at least there was pool we could jump in. James sat in on mandolin this time and I met Bill Edwards who added his tasteful guitar playing to the evening!

Daly City

I bid the CC boys adieu to continue my solo journey. Next stop a private party for The Good Tidings Foundation (goodtidings.org) for their annual fundraiser/gold tournament. The drive through Gold Gate park and down pch 1 was worth it!

San Francisco

I'm drove up from Creston this morning after a blissful few days at my friends ranch. Looking forward to seeing my bandmates from Christopher's band and playing a kick ass show at Yoshi's.

later...Checked into the Kabuki Hotel. I must say that it was nice to be in the care of another artist for a few days. Being your own boss is cool but alot of work!!! Going back to freelance work for others is cool because someone else gets to do the advance work while you relax and enjoy the town!

Our shows were really fun. Spent the weekend visiting with friends and family in the area. Ex pats showed me their local haunts and I heard a lot of really cool music in a short amount of time. The breakfast spot is, hands down, Sweet Maple (2101 Sutter Street). Sunday, we went to the Haight Street Fair and listened my friends play at a few local jam sessions as well!

Bottom line: San Francisco is a beautiful town and I always enjoy spending time there.

Day off in Creston

I spent two glorious days in Creston after my SLO gig at a friends ranch. It was extremely creative and relaxing!

After the show at Janni's in the Carmel Valley

arriving and leaving Basel!

Great first show in tonight. About to take a shower and get on the bus for the seven hour drive to Paris. Listening to a live version of "Greenhouse" by the Yellowjackets. It was the first tune I ever heard of their's live at some festival we were all on in Washington back in '92. It was raining and I was playing with Dave Koz and Phil Perry. They were so amazing and this song always sticks out for me. Now listening to Vince Mendoza, "Will To Live". I remember Jimmy Haslip turning me on to him years ago. So much talent in this world. Then I'll will have to play Lady Antelbellum's "Just a Kiss". Cannot get enough of that song.
water's ready.......xoxoxo