Newsletter updates

Apr 1, 2019

Hello ,

Well, I'm hitting my basement practice space regularly these days getting ready for my next show,
Working, downtown at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston.  I have to say, I've seen some pretty strange doubles (extra instruments) in my musical parts before, but never have I seen celeste and harp in the drum book! 

I remember my first time, and only time, touching a harp: it was in Flagstaff, AZ where I went to Northern Arizona University. Over two summers there, we played four full cycles of Wagner's
Ring Cycle opera
. Why a cycle? Basically, it's so freaking long that they take Wager's (4) mini-operas (each of which is 2-6 hours long) and spread the four concerts over seven calendar days, such that each set comprises a Cycle. Anyhow, I became a champion donut-getter and rest-counter on those gigs being the third<?> chair percussionist, but at one of the dorm parties the first season we did the Cycle, some harp player (1 of the 6 required for this work, no less) was nice (dumb?) enough to let me try out their instrument. Very cool! It's like a giant lap guitar or something. That was like 1998 though so I can't say any of my summer dorm education for one short evening translates to skills I will use on 
Working. Mainly because...wait for it...the synthesizer/keyboard player will play all my mallet doubles....except for glock. 

And there you have it. I won't be playing harp on this gig. 

If you are still excited by this point in the April newsletter, then I shall give you some dates and ticket links, should you wish to see said keyboardist play said drummer's harp cues...on the keyboard. Actually, while I won't rock the harp or celeste (think: Nutcracker > Sugar Plum Fairy instrument), you can see me play some foot clave, timbale, conga, and drumset at the same time. This musical has some pretty fun drum kit playing in it actually, and that part probably is what got me in the mood watching the Ruben Blades documentary on HBO last night. 

Vamos a guarachar! Here are some public performances coming up:

Thu, Apr 18, 19, and 20, 2019 (Share link)
Thu, Fri: 8pm Sat: 2pm, 8pmCutler Majestic Theatre219 Tremont StBoston, MA "Working" - the musical (2012 version) with Emerson College.Online Tickets 

Sat, Apr 27, 2019 @ 7:30 PM (Share link)Atlantic Symphony OrchestraBraintree, MA Percussion for ASO Pops concert.