Dear Friends,

The New Year was off to a great start until the utter devastation of the Haitian Earthquake hit Hispaniola on January 12, 2010.  Many people are so saddened and enraged by what happened and what has taken place since…I’m thinking a lot about what more I can do as obviously so many of you are  by the abundance of benefit concerts and exhibitions for this great cause. I’d love to hear more about what everyone is thinking and what can be done.

At moments like these, I tend to find solace in music and the ability to express feelings that words and perhaps tears cannot even convey.  But through music I can open a portal and letting that flow gets easier and easier.  I felt like a unique door opened this past Saturday at the Brecht Forum where I performed a double bill with the marvelous Kyoko Kitamura.  What a night we had. Kyoko had a great set with dancer Mark Lamb fusing show tunes, art song and clever originals with his movement and words…sorta like sexy cabaret meets the avant-garde.  After that cellist Tomas Ulrich met guitarist Anders Nilsson for a fused blues set and a lot of pain came out of the music and disappeared into the air.

Both sets received standing ovations from a well attended house! Thanks to all that braved to cold to come and share a very special evening with us.

A few days before I was fortunate enough to perform two of Darius Jones’ very soulful pieces at Roulette/Location One as part of Darius’ three-day residency there. A thrilling experience playing his music, pieces with great structure but room to flow and unfurl.

For February 2010,  I’ve a couple gigs in town, gently trying something new.  This coming SUNDAY, February 7th, I’ll appear as part of Lola Danza’s Think Tank Series at GoodBye Blue Monday playing an improvised set with bassist Ken Filiano and guitarist Simon Jermyn. Then on FRIDAY, February 12th, I play the 55BAR with the Jazz Vault Project.  Bassist extraordinaire Ratzo Harris will join us along with Michael Attias on alto & baritone saxophones and Anders Nilsson on guitar.

Near February’s end, I head off to Moscow for a three-day run at the Union Of Composers Club with tenor saxophonist Oleg Kireyev!  Was there last year and had a blast! I just pray it is not COLDER than it was last year…that’s a blast I can live without.  Click here for more info on the club and more.  See you out and about….or on Facebook…or on Twitter…or via email.  Preferably out though, in person, in the flesh.  Much nicer.

in music,
Fay