Speaking of modern Symphonic Music mixed with Hip-Hop, I just got finished watching the short film/documentary on our homies “Dakah Hip-Hop Symphony” and LOVED it. They are the crew from So Cal that first made me realize that putting together a large scale Symphony of players could be possible and it was really interesting to see the behind the scenes evolution of their band from the early days up to more recent times. The film focuses on the journey of the leader/conductor/arranger of the group “Double G” and how he persevered some really gnarly circumstances along the way, never giving up. It was also crazy how many similar hurdles and obstacles that Jazz Mafia and Dakah have had along the way, even down to the surprise arrival of a $25K grant check that infused necessary momentum into the organizations at the times they needed it most. I’d highly recommend checking the film out as it premieres at the Mill Valley Film Festival in October.

In the “Completely Stupid Ideas” category I jumped in a pond this week at a show near Embarcadero for SF Jazz WHILE playing an ELECTRIC bass. DOH! Sorry! But it was SUPER HOT outside and after 2 hours in the direct sun the water looked SO inviting! I was informed that if something in the chain wasn’t grounded I would have suffered some serious electrocution or something like that. Next time I’ll just jump in with my non-electric trombone!

Not having a working car is kinda rough, especially when I need to get my 100 lb. bass rig to a gig across the Bay. But I gotta say, I haven’t ridden my skateboard this much in years! I think I just need to get a lighter bass rig…or play flute.

I was just up at my alma mater, Sonoma State University doing a Master Class/Forum w/ The Shotgun Wedding Quintet. It was really a special feeling to see a new generation of music heads in the building, listening intently and asking all sorts of super important questions. Thanks to Doug Lebeninger for having us. It was also the first time we played with our longtime homie Ara Andersen and he did a SMOKIN job and was a great addition to the SWQ sound. Brass!

Last Saturday we played the closing party for what was one of the main live music venues in the Bay Area for the past 6 years; Mojito in SF’s North Beach. Key personnel from many of our bands were missing, so I put together an all-star jam with lots of familiar faces and some new ones and it was neato! Sonya D came thru and smoked it on vocals for much of the night, Dublin hosted and performed some amazing freestyles and was even joined by Seneca for a reunion of sorts on a few inspired jams. New to our crew, Finn Kelly was ripping on the keys, Brandon Werlin on drums, Uriah Duffy on bass and tenor bass plus Chris Mcgee and Mike Blake were all laying it down. Thanks to all the other guests and audience members who were there partying with us.

We’ve had some highly memorable nights in that spot, especially with Brass Mafia who rocked Mojito repeatedly. I remember doing Realistic Orchestra in there for North Beach Jazz Fest one time and it being SUPER packed, such a special evening. Also I remember some wild after hours parties there in the downstairs – Booths of people gambling on poker games and various other activities that nobody ever knew existed beneath the main floor of the rickety venue. A shout out to John and Robbie for making Mojito happen for as many years as they did – They brought so much live music to North Beach and gave so many bands and audiences opportunities to spread culture in new ways. Mojito will be missed!

I’m excited to be rocking the Independent again, this time The Shotgun Wedding Quintet will be opening for one of the heaviest hitting drummers around, Stanton Moore. I’d highly recommend peeping Stanton if you haven’t heard him before. Also I’ll be performing in the horn section with Bayonics Friday at their CD Release at Mezzanine ; Bayonics’s new album is slamming and it’s sure to be a sick show.

Also just announced, two shows at the Boom Boom Room that might be of interest; Will Blades & Will Bernard w/ Jazz Mafia Horns and Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey w/ Adam Theis, Peter Apfelbaum and more!