I’m a guest artist for this CD release this Saturday at the Berkeley Piano Club!
On May 18, 2024, cellist Lewis Patzner and pianist Jonathan Alford present an exciting program of music for cello and piano that crosses multiple genres, with a mix of originals and some select covers. They’ll be joined by special guests Keith Lawrence and Alexa Weber Morales. The evening is a celebration of a new album,...
Busking by USA Rail Pass: Kicking bass for myself on a bridge in Nashville
I did it! I busked in Nashville despite many naysayers! It was too cold, however… Here’s a link to the short video… https://youtube.com/shorts/EDyUxlWrkoA?si=Mej8GtXg4kYGlLP6
Busking by USA Rail Pass: Randos try to fix my dead amp in NYC
I am #busking across America by #Amtrak with my USA rail pass. Here’s what happened on my second day in New York City when I got all my gear from Brooklyn to Washington Square, only to find that my Boss Street Cube amp would not take power from the battery pack. Also, my Casio CT-S1...
Busking by USA Rail Pass: Dancing Bees Surrounded Me in Manhattan!
I have peaked in my #busking tour of America by rail! It’s all downhill from here… (Just joking, I’m just getting started). Thanks to NYC resident and friend John Foley for invaluable filming and spontaneous NYC moral and tour support! https://youtu.be/F5zeOTe2yPk?si=3F0sK3N5A3PGqNL- But perhaps you are wondering how these bees came to join my traveling show? It turns out...
Busking by USA Rail Pass: How I Handled a Belligerent Wino in Chicago
https://youtu.be/psf7KjiAaWU My train from Chicago to New York City was rescheduled a day later due to mudslides, so I ended up having two days of busking in Chicago. I checked a bag for 24 hours in the Chicago Union Station, and booked a hotel online. I wrangled a slightly early check in and then headed...
Busking by USA Rail Pass: Oakland to Los Angeles to Albuquerque
When a fellow student at Open Studio commented that I could stop by her place in Albuquerque on my way to the Midwest on the Southwest Chief, I phoned 1-800-USA-RAIL and changed my reservation to allow a 24-hour stopover at her place (Amtrak phone agents are extremely helpful and can help if you’re having trouble...
Busking across America with the USA Rail Pass: Life can change in an instant
I have a USA Rail Pass and I’m taking my piano and amp around the country! It’s not about making money, though that’s nice. It’s really about freedom. Giving the gift of music to the people. And making music on my terms. No complications, no band to manage, no tickets to sell, no shitty sound...
I transcribed Charlie Parker’s solo on Crazeology
This was my first complete transcription in SoundSlice (here is the link), which takes some practice to use but is a super cool platform. I had wasted a lot of time trying to transcribe with SoundSlice on mobile, which I found to be buggy. Once I went to the desktop it was a million times...
My Halloween make up tutorial tradition lives on… Or does it?
I used my Mehron water-based face paints for this fun look. I wish it was this easy to paint on my daily makeup! Enjoy! Usé mis pinturas a prueba de agua para la cara de la marca Mehron. Lástima que no me puedo pintar así todos los días! Disfrutalo! #Halloween #makeup
Que Reste-t-il de Nos Amours on Yamaha Genos
Here’s a classic French tune someone requested on my live stream! I added a harmonica solo.
Are you allowed to be tired?
Of course you are. But you are also allowed to push yourself. One of my favorite concepts is from Coach John Wooden, something along the lines that some kids need more whip cream, some need more discipline. The same thing applies to yourself. For example, tonight I would like to livestream, but I feel tired...
