Just back from a short trip to Europe and first time in Tallinn. Does anyone know where Tallinn is? We didn’t – had to look on a map.   It’s the capital of Estonia. Anyone know where Estonia is? We had to look on map for that too. It’s a beautiful city – like a smaller version of Prague. We played at one of most beautiful clubs we’ve ever been in and people responded very warmly. Everyone there’s into anything avant-garde – theater, art, music. There’s been a cultural explosion there since the Berlin wall went down. The last gig was in Copenhagen. We haven’t been there for a few years. We particularly like the club we play there – great sound, great audience. Check out the new video – it’s a compilation from that show. We’re back home now for a few months gigging with the US band. Stay tuned for what’s next…

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Rodrigo

We had a great trip this summer. Everyone took a leap in the band -- in their own playing and the band as a whole -- we sound stronger with a lot more confidence and attitude and more interplay. The funk was heavy. We also had an opportunity for group coaching with one of the top five vibes players in the world -- David Friedman -- who lives in Berlin. We had 3 session with him in Paris and it really helped us to play better. He also played in the sessions with us and that was a blast -- he's really an accomplished musician.

The other highlight was Berlin -- we played in a very cool jazz house -- Cafe Schlot -- we were amazed we packed the room first time playing there. I think the Germans really liked the heaviness of our playing.
Also the festival in La Rochelle was a great experience for us -- playing for a big crowd.

And for me as a sax player it was incredible to play with one of the best sax players in Europe at our gig in Italy -- Maurizio Giammarco. He's played with everyone -- Mike Stern, Phil Markovitz, Dave Liebman and many others. The depth and knowledge in his playing was breathtaking. It was very inspiring to improvise together with a master.

Back in the US now and will be in Europe again this fall -- stay tuned for the next post!

Rodrigo

Posted on Sep 10th, 2008 by Kathy

Just got back from a fantastic tour in Germany, Italy, France -- 2 festivals and a lot of great gigs. We started off in Germany, a few days of rehearsals in Jeff's home town, Hamburg. Then played a festival in Wardenburg and a warm up gig in Hamburg. Then Berlin. That was outrageous -- Berlin is as happening as everyone says -- a lot of cool clubs -- artists, musicians. A creative vortex. Some of the best audiences ever there. We definitely want to go back.

Andrew met up with an old friend in Italy -- someone he used to jam with 30 years ago who's now one of the top sax players in Italy -- Maurizio Giammarco. He sat in for a gig in Florence. Brought a sophisticated jazzy sound in. A lot of fun for everyone. The only one who didn't have fun was Jeff -- his vibes broke down in the set up and we found out really fast there's no place to rent vibes on Sunday afternoon in Italy. So he was reduced to playing a kid's size keyboard we got at the restaurant next door. He played great anyway.

Then a very full few days in Paris rehearsing and working with a master coach and one of the top vibes players in the world, David Friedman. That took the band to a whole other level. You could hear the work that happened at the last gig at a festival in La Rochelle, France. They played at this beautiful mansion -- the most far out, edgy music at the festival -- and it went over really well. They were the special guests from the US for the Sat night slot. Will probably be back next year.

Back in Lenox, MA now with the US band -- not the same here as Paris or Berlin -- but the music sounds great and the US band very quickly slipped into the power groove that got deeper through the summer.
Stay tuned for news from the northeast!