Number 48 July 21, 2010

Today is the official launch of The Valence Project! http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4274354.htm

As you can see from the press release, the recording was conceived, written, and executed in a very innovative and unique way.  I've always loved the Duke Ellington quote, that "Success is doing the right thing, at the right time, with the right people."  With Brain, Kai Eckhardt , Melissa Reese , Emily Palen,  Jon Herrera, Deborah Charles, Eamonn Flynn and many other great musicians, the vibe was fantastic.  The cover art is by Krisztina Lazar. There was such mutual respect and admiration, and enthusiasm!  Engineered and produced by my dear friend and collaborator Cookie Marenco , I think you'll agree it has an awesome vibe.

Number 44 May 28, 2010

Last Sunday I went to a memorial benefit at the Spreckles Center in Rohnert Park for the great luthier Taku Sakashta, who was tragically murdered a couple of months ago.  Many of my luthier friends were there, including Al Milburn and John Mello.  I had approached Taku through mutual friends, Al and Yukimasa Kasuya about ordering a guitar last year, but Taku was very booked up.  The benefit had performances by The Black Market Blues Band, which featured my friend Joe Mloganoski, who co-owns Two-Rock Amplification, and Eric Gales, not to be confused with the late, great Eric Gale.  Tuck and Patti, who live in the area, and who I haven't seen in years, moved my friend Krisztina Lazar to tears.  The headliner was Robben Ford, with special guest Boz Skaggs, both of whom were playing Taku's guitars.  It was a very beautiful and fitting tribute.  Our time on this planet is very short, and I realized some years ago that whether we live to be very old, or die young, it is how we live, and that we live, that is important.

Number 36 March 29,2010

Another wonderful week of art events.  Last Thursday we went to a performance piece by Krisztina Lazar at the Swell Gallery, an extension site of the Art Institute  , the REAL art school in town.  Krisztina, as you may know, did the cover painting for The Valence Project.  She was body painting and throwing herself against the canvas tacked to the wall.  Very edgey, and beautiful.  Saturday was The Merce Cunnham Dance Company at Zellerbach.  The piece was Cunningham's last, "Nearly 90" with music by John Paul Jones  and
Takehisa Kosugi.  One is reminded of the quote that "Talent does what it can, genius does what it must."
And then last night a benefit performance in a private home at the top of Belvedere for the Marin Symphony by my dear friends Caminos Flamencos.   Yaelisa, Jason, Felix and Fanny were brilliant, and stunning set against the bay and San Francisco skyline.  My only regret was missing Ralph Towner Saturday, but I guess even I can't be two places at once.

Number 22 November 7, 2009

My engineer/producer Cookie Marenco mentioned to Butch Morris the other week that I go to more concerts than anyone she knows. I have been blessed with seeing all kinds of amazing performances since childhood. From musicals to opera to jazz to blues at The Fillmore West. I subscribe to SF Jazz Festival, The SF Opera, and Cal Performances, among others. The Bay Area is an amazingly rich place for performance art; rivaling New York. This year’s SF Jazz Fall season is exceptional. Thursday the 29th was Ravi and Anushka Shankar. I’ve been going to Ravi concerts for over 40 years, and have seen him many times. He is the ultimate musician to me, and Anushka is well on the way. At age 89, his energy and speed have been in a bit of a decline, but this was the best I have seen him in many years. It was one of the top 3 performances I’ve ever seen, and one of the other two was also Ravi. Later that evening I got to see the paintings of Krisztina Lazar. I think she is brilliant, and I realized one of her paintings would make a great cover for The Valence Project. You can check out her art and design projects at www.transcendentbird.com

Gregory James