I have been away from the keypad, taking in the spring - seems like summer now. A shifting of gears, a pause in the action as the focus changes.  The garden is flourishing and as usual, I find great nourishment from what many look upon as "weeds". The earth is an amazing place to live, in every season, but especially hard to ignore it in spring... the more so now, when the balance of things is so tragically threatened by our mindless activities.

My "school year" was really wonderful. This year's Afropop Ensemble, as in '09, taught me so much. I would challenge my students as to who learned more from the experience. Someday, when I really know how to teach, they will learn as much as I do! It was a great bunch, a joy to work with, and they performed very well indeed. Some very talented, and all were enthusiastic and engaged. I was a student as well, taking Bill Douglas' Musicianship class, last time he will teach it as such. Lucky me! It was fun, challenging and inspiring and I learned ways of looking at (listening to) things that will be valuable for life. Friends have told me for years how much they gained studying with Bill - no exaggeration. I count myself as very fortunate.

Another move into the world of new music! Having upgraded my cyber-situation, when my dear and very creative friend, Scot Ray, invited me to collaborate on a long-distance recording project I was able to accept. As a result, I am on two tracks of his newest endeavour, Earth Circuit (clarinet on Human Tide and Earth as a Bridge.) The album is not being manufactured physically, but is available for download from iTunes and other outlets. You can listen to excerpts at: http://www.myspace.com/scotray/ I encourage you to discover Scot's abstract/lyrical and surprising musical world and welcome your support of this project!

In keeping with breaking new ground, I am repeating my pilgrimage of last summer to EEFC Balkan Music Camp outside Mendocino CA. What's new, you ask? Well, this year I am going first to San Francisco for a couple of low-key engagements with new friends. I will be playing with guitarist David Saxton in Berkeley and Sausalito on June 23 and 24 respectively. Please let your Bay Area friends know - invite them all to come and get acquainted!

Moussa Konate set archived on KGNU

Monday was a good night to listen to the radio, but if you missed it you can still download or stream the set at kgnu.org. I have played with Moussa for almost ten years, and Monday was was a fresh burst. Reminded me of first getting acquainted touring in CA playing places like Club Amnesia, Restaurant Baobab in San Francisco and up and down the coast. But this time it was Moussa's music - a bunch of original tunes. And the line up was great also - Glen Taylor and Eric Moon, and some young blood: Nate Ruchames, Max Friedman & Willow Duhamel, with Freddy Jean Baptist holding it down on drums. You will be seeing the Moussa Konate band around here in the near future, come check it out!

Meanwhile, download this great set from kgnu.org and dance!

Endings - Beginnings

A school year comes to it's end. I had a great time with Naropa Afropop Ensemble - a really great bunch this year. They learned a lot (I think!) and sang and played like pros for the final concert Sunday night. They really lead themselves - I just helped them through the rough spots. And at the same time I was completely inspired and enlightened by taking a class with Bill Douglas. The legendary! I have heard about Bill's classes for so many years (from so many great musicians), it was a special treat to be there. Pushed me into places I don't normally go! Meanwhile, music is alive:

WED   May 5, 6:30-9:30pm   St Julien Hotel (9th&Walnut, Bldr)
Moussa Konate Band

Moussa Konate, Malian guitarist/singer has a new line-up, including three members of the Naropa Afropop Ensemble! Great dance music!

THUR   May6, 7:30pm  Broadway & Pearl (heading to the Laughing Goat @ 17th&Pearl)
Bateria Alegria

The samba parade band of the one yr old Boulder Samba School. Join the fun! We parade the first Thurs of every month to the Laughing Goat where Ginga Grande leads the popular roda de samba pagode session. Sing, dance!

MON   May 10, 7-8pm KGNU (88.5fm, 1390am, www.kgnu.org)
Moussa Konate Band

Moussa Konate and the band on KGNU's Concert Cabaret. Tune in! Call in!

See you there!
Dexter