Sabian - Because Sound Matters

New York in July 2008

Jul 31, 2008

The week of July 27^th, 2008 in New York had a lot going on with various gigs, tours and meet-and-greets. The evening of Tuesday, July 29^th began with an in-the-Pit experience with Andres Forrero at the Broadway show "In the Heights". This allowed a firsthand look at what happens below the stage for a successful play, how the music works within the interplay, as well as what's going on while the actors are acting. Look for video on the site over the next few weeks for the opportunity to see how it's done. Later that evening a dinner meeting with Jojo Mayer and Gary Seligson (Broadway Drummer/Tarzan & Billy Elliott) catching up with Jojo on his return from Europe during the Jazz Festival period. He is heading back on the road through August and mid-September, with some time off before heading back to Europe for October and November to finish off 2008 and his DVD?grab it if you can find it as it sells-out faster than it can be restocked.

Later in the evening to the West Village to the Blue Note club to see and hear Dave Weckl perform with guitar player Chuck Loeb's band, "METRO" that also features Mitchell Forman (Keys), Randy Brecker (Trumpet), Gerald Veasley (Bass) and Bob Francisini (Saxophones). The band covered a lot of ground in a 70-minute set leaning more toward the Fusion side of Jazz, but mixing enough idioms to keep the room moving with the band.

Wednesday was equally as busy with a trip to Columbus Circle to meet newer Sabian Endorser, Dafnis Prieto (featured at this years Modern Drummer Festival and Percussive Arts Society in Austin) to catch up with him between European touring and writing for a new CD. He has also been commissioned to write a piece for the Los Angeles Opera (along with another composer) for the 2010 season of the Opera. The next stop was lunch with Broadway Drummer Larry Lelli (The Producers) who will begin rehearsals for a new production that will pick up in the later part of this year. A busy week in New York isn't complete without a visit to The Collective School on 6^th Avenue in the Gramercy Park area to see Anthony Citrinite, Tony Maggiolino & Yoichi Sato. A good week in a great town with a lot of great Drummers, Music and Performances!