- Cancun, Mexico -

Just got back from an all-inclusive holiday at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun. It was indeed paradise and the service was definitely 5 star. They had a nice little grand piano on a platform in the middle of the huge lobby/bar, and I talked to the manager to see if I could use it for practice. I played from 4 to 6pm (hora feliz) and was invited back for the next four days. It was especially nice, because I could play whatever I felt like and the response was anywhere from non-existent to unexpectedly great. The piano was in the dividing of the smoking/non smoking zones, so I was getting flash backs to the early 60's.

- Bill Evans: The Days of Wine and Roses -

I could listen to Bill Evans all day long. His smooth improvisations, harmonics, and technical excellence really appeal to me. (click on arrow to see the video)

- SATIN DOLL -

"Satin Doll" was written by Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1899-1974) for and with pianist William Thomas "Billy" Strayhorn (1915-1967) in 1967; the lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer (1909-1976).

I played it on a M-Audio 88 midied into a Mac running GarageBand. Then I dubbed in the bass track. I'm shooting with an old Panasonic palmcorder that has terrible sound, so I have to sync the sound track from GarageBand into Imovie.

- Here's That Rainy Day -

Here's an arrangement that I did using GarageBand of this nice old jazz standard. It's title is a perfect description of today's weather here in Cottonwood.

- MISTY -

Erroll Garner was instrumental (no pun intended) in getting me to play the piano. I had piano lessons at an early age, but left music to do art and then came back to it with Erroll in my teens. Like Erroll, I don't read music, and play completely by ear. I saw him perform once at the 'Mogambo' night club on the old Sunset Strip. Here is a video of my version of 'Misty'