A Wonderful Start

Hello and a very belated Happy New Year!

I left off in November of last year. After the Thanksgiving holiday -which I spent happily with family in Minneapolis-- we headed to Fresno-- a wonderful start of their new series with a masterclass for the students at the University there. A very great group of people and we had a ball. Many thanks to John and Tama, Tom and the whole crew (Jim Totoian & crew too) and the very enthusiastic Fresno audience!

Then onto Memphis, where we enjoyed doing a masterclass again for the general public and met several great/local musicians. Memphis has such an amazing jazz musical legacy-- some of our favorite players come from there: the late, great and sorely missed James Williams for one, as well as Mulgrew Miller, Harold Mabern just to name a few. The hall there in Germantown was beautiful; we had a great concert, many thanks to our sweet friend Mike Kelly.

Some of my 'big news' is that I bought a house! In western Massachusetts along the Connecticut River-- it's another great adventure in my life, and though I still love living and being based in NYC, having a lovely retreat to go to when I get time off is a real dream come true for me.

In January, we went to Honolulu to perform at the Academy of the Arts, had a wonderful, packed house-- all involved at the Academy made us feel right at home (again!) instantly. Also many thanks to the folks at Hawaii Public Radio and to my family there.

Back to the main land and headed for Fayetteville Arkansas and Columbia Missouri. The flu season caught up with me there I'm afraid--- I got quite sick with it, and so did a few band members-- but we pulled it together and did our best. Our friends Robert and Susan Ginsberg were gems and a pleasure to work with in Fayetteville-- and Jon Posses' "We Always Swing" series is top notch. Many thanks to all of them and the great crowds.

In February we visited (where else would you go in February?) VERMONT!! I had never been and loved it-- what a beautiful place Burlington is--right on Lake Champlain--looking across the lake to the Adirondacks, lovely! –Especially with quite a bit of snow.

And thanks go to the folks at the University: Natalie and Jane-- and the wonderful crowd for Valentine's Day.

Off to Tokyo as soon as I finish this; then to Florida, then to Tel Aviv... will catch my breath and write again.

Thank you for checking in–

Karrin

The Next Phase of My Musical Journey

Hi there -

Last I wrote was way back in May! Hard to believe the summer is over and we are into fall and winter with the holiday season just around the corner.

As you may have noticed on the new and “in progress” website, I have a new and exciting management and agency team. I had a good 5-year run with the folks at Stiletto Entertainment and William Morris Agency and appreciate all they have done.

On this next phase of my musical journey and career I welcome AMS Artists - Anna Sala (Management) and Treelawn Artists - Eric Hanson (Agency). Holding down the web site and MySpace duties, I welcome back Dean Hampton from Webjazz. This new team will be of great help to me in reaching the same goals for great music making and getting it to more and more people like yourselves.

Before going into the studio at the end of June, we made a quick stop in San Diego at the lovely new club "Anthology." Worked with some of my favorite west coast players: Larry Koonse, Tom Warrington and Joe LaBarbera. It’s always a pleasure to work with them. When in the LA area I also try to take the opportunity to see and work with my colleague, Chris Caswell, which we did. Writing with him is a wonderful and inspiring experience.

A few New York State gigs like Norwood - way up there and a beautiful area. Paul Meyers, Ed Howard and Todd Strait were a great trio to play with.

Then we started rehearsals for the new recording here at home in NYC with Rod Fleeman and Todd. We went into the studio on June 29. Steve Nelson (vibes), Gil Goldstein(piano & accordion, David Finck (bass) joined Rod, Todd and myself. What a band! It is a Brazilian project. It includes a varied selection of well-known and lesser-known tunes of Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, Edu Lobo, Rosa Passos, among others. Also there are a few new English lyrics by Chris Caswell, Susannah McCorckle, Paul Williams and Gene Lees.

After recording, I had welcome visitors from Hawaii. It was my sister and niece’s 1st visit ever to NYC! While they were here, we played Huntington, NY It was a beautiful outdoor venue there with a great new piano given by Billy Joel. Played with Paul Bollenback, Ed Howard and drummer Mark Ferber. It was under the stars and lovely!

Then we headed to Worcester Mass at the Ecotarium. The folks at WICN have supported and played our music ever since our very 1st CD, "I Didn't Know About You." It's always a pleasure to be back there. I played with another great trio consisting of Paul Bollenback, Todd and bassist John Lockwood.

The next stop was Buffalo, NY for an outdoor gig on a very hot day. They were wonderful people to play for. The trio on this was Paul Meyers, Vicente Archer and Todd. They did a great job.

Next came Scullers in Boston and then the Litchfield, CT Jazz Festival with Steve Nelson, Doug Weiss, Rod and Todd. I loved playing with this group and in these great venues.

Heading West we did another outdoor concert in Madison WI, then to Chicago at the Green Mill. Bassist Larry Kohut joined Rod, Todd and myself. Wonderful group in a favorite club.

We went to Berkeley, CA at the Fantasy Studios to mix the Brazilian project. Working with Bill McGlaughlin (Producer), Nick Phillips (Producer) and Josiah Gluck (Engineer) is a treat. What an interesting process! One always learns a lot from these sessions.

Then a whole different thing for me: a big band performance with the US Air Force Big Band, The Airmen of Note. This was a great experience with an amazing band and lovely people.

This gig was recorded before live audience with MC for a later radio broadcast. Watch my web site schedule for more information about the broadcast - probably on NPR. I also tried out some new big band arrangements which is always fun.

Back to LA at Catalina's, we had another good week with Todd, Larry Koonse and Tom Warrington. Chris Caswell sat in and played accordion. He knocked everybody out!

Next was at Seattle's Jazz Alley, a jazz home away from home for us. My Mom usually joins me for the week while there and my Uncle Dave lives there so it is literally a family affair! Steve Nelson, Rod, Todd and Jeff Johnson formed a wonderful band. The Jazz Alley staff have also become our family! I Did a live on air performance with KPLU- FM. It’s also great to work with these people.

We headed back to the midwest for a quick minute in Kansas City at the Starlight Theater. It was for a fund raiser for the Midwest Ear Institute’s HEARAid Gala titled, “The Cool Sounds of Jazz.” Got to see favorite friends Paul Smith and family, Dean, Gerald Spaits, among others.

After that back west to Yakima, WA at the Season's for two special concerts: one with the Yakima Symphony with Bill McGlaughlin conducting, and then our quintet the next night. This is a great series that I admire so much. Pat Strosahl at the Seasons really knows how to make musicians feel at home and therefore, gets great results! If you're ever in that area, check this special series out.

I stopped off in Portland after that to play at the newly renovated Jimmy Mac's, a lovely club I played with the Mel Brown Group and what fun that was. The next night I got to play with Nancy King at the Old Church, along with Steve Christofferson, Todd, and Ed Bennett.

Finally back home to play a week at the great club, Dizzy's at Lincoln Center. Pianist and accordionist Joe Chindamo from Melbourne Australia joined Peter Washington, Todd, Nancy and I for a wonderful week.

Most recently, we played in Dahlonega, GA. I really admire Andy for bringing more jazz to that area with beautiful rolling hills right outside of Atlanta. Keep up the good work Andy!

OK, thank you for checking in! We are finally seeing signs of the colorful fall season here in NYC. I have been enjoying the parks here when I can I have seen some great migrating birds here and there - always inspiring to me.

Here's hoping and striving for Peace for all.
Karrin

Recommendations from the Road

Some live music I've heard and loved lately:

Al Foster @ the Vanguard;
Violinist, Maria Bachmann at Merkin Hall;
Gene Bertoncini @ Le Madeline;
'Joyce' and Dori Caymmi at Birdland;
Paula West at the Jazz Standard;
and Steve Nelson at Smoke.

Books I've read:

Kurt Vonnegut's latest short memoirs,
Lies my Teacher Taught Me,
The Bone People.

Nature Places I've visited:

Jamaica Bay in Queens,
The parks of NYC!!

AND-

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