http://www.philly.com/inquirer/currents/brainfood/20080716__Steven_Standiford...

See also http://youtube.com/watch?v=g4ad7alZ5K8

http://www.startrekmovie.com/

I left the Hots Dance Orchestra after months of wrestling with the idea.  I was finding that the huge breath of ever-changing repertoire was taking up way too much of my time, and having some affect of my solo work and other projects.  So with some huge regret I left the band after the last recent concert at the Spanish Ballroon in June.  I learned a whole lot playing with that group, and really enjoyed performing with everyone in the group.  It was a very tough decision!!!  I wish them well, but I know that somehow I'll be making music with many of them again somewhere down the road a spell...

So I've got more time to spend on solo repertoire, basic musical development (the kind of stuff one should be doing in the background all the time - e.g. jazz scales and progressions, etc.).  I'm also going after more band music that better suits my style and doesn't require the enourmous practive time needed by the old band charts, such as Dixielend and traditional jazz (Jelly Roll Morton etc).  I'm also better setup now timewise to finish my CD project.

I'm catching up on other projects, like finishing up recordings made months ago by JSS and Reverie.  We might even have enough good material for a CD for JSS, based on recordings made at our last gig at Beans in the Belfry..the recording conditions were perfect.  The stuff is moving fast now!

Not much going on in the ragtime universe.  I've got no ragtime festivals officially on my schedule until January, which in a sense is fine with me because I can focus on learning new stuff and recording.  However, I'm available.

BTW, last night Cindy and I attended a show performed by "1964: A Tribute".  This is the original Beatles tribute band that has been perfoming for 23 years!  Well I simply could not believe how good they were.  They have worked out every single little nuance from the Beatles recordings.  They have a great sound, are extremely professional in their presentation, and reproduce the Beatles experience EXACTLY.  I just kept say "I can't believe the sounds they are making" - and I try to imply a lot of stuff by saying that.  I hugely recommend you'all go see them when they come through town.  They are back in the D.C. (Northern VA) area in December at the Birchmere.

Richard Dowling is coming to the NVRS this coming weekend.  www.nvrs.org

For now, go to YouTube.com and search "dave tucker" and you'll see some new videos that have popped up (more on the way).  I'll be trying to organize such things later into a more easily presented format.

I'm getting active on Facebook.com.  You can find me there by searching my naming and asking to be a "friend".  I think I might drop this other ragtime network that I tried to start.

THREE GIGs this coming weekend.  Reverie Trio plays at an antique & art deco show on Saturday afternoon (12-3pm).  The Hots play at the French Embassy (open to the public) at 6:45pm in the grand ballroom.  On Sunday the Hots play the monthly Glen Echo gig in the famous Spanish Ballroom.  The thing is that I don't really know any of the music so I am cramming with rehearsals and can't see how I can pull it together, but I always seem to find a way.  Some 45 tunes readied for Reverie and 30+ mostly-new pieces for Hots, and tough stuff too.  Details of the schedule on the Performances page of my website.

We have big plans for the beach house this summer but won't get to working on it until July.

Christina is teaching dance at Brown Academy this summer.  Michael is talking about moving to San Fransisco.  Cindy and I are exhausted.  But life is good and we're trying to live it to the fullest.

A special thanks to all those who attended an impromptu birthday dinner in Versailles on June 10th.  I sincerely appreciate it!

Yes, one day soon I'll write a report on the Midwest trip.  I'll never forget seeing Neville Dickey in a frog costume, complete with aquatic flippers - and playing the piano!

Dave

We just left the Lake of the Ozarks where we witnessed an amazing concert with Jeff Barnhart, Brian Holland, Anne Barnhart and Danny Coots.  Today we will be in Versailles for two days of concerts with Mimi & Friends.....whoops, I have to wait 'till I get back to chat about this trip...

Dave

I've reached that point where I'm craving performance.  I want to get to it quick!  So while I can't predict the future, I do feel good and ready.  First stop is the incredible Blind Boone Festival at the newly restored Missouri State Theatre.  Cindy and I bought sponsorship of a seat in the balcony, so we can't want to see our special chair.

I understand we have a winner for this year's Old Time Piano Playing Champianship.  16 year old Adam Swanson, the boy genious Mozart reincarnated, won the ADULT division, beating out some amazingly good piano players.  Eyton Uslan came in second (last year's winner).

We fly to St Louis on Saturday.  I recommend everyone try to make it to the Blind Boone festival.  The first performance is Sunday Afternoon (1pm?), June 1st, a solo concert performance by Morton Gunnar Larson.  I'll be playing in the evening concert with several other performers who are way better than I am!  Check the flyer on the front page of my website.

In a message to musicians Wayne stated

"It is with EXTREME REGRET, and DISAPPOINTMENT, that Nancy and I have to inform you that the Spring Festival, scheduled at the Pine Tree Point Resort in Alexandria Bay, NY, May 23 - 25, HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

I've got my schedule information for the Alex Bay festival and the Scott Joplin festival.  I've added my schedules to my "schedule" page of my website... Very busy times ahead.  I hear that the Missouri State Theatre is going to re-open on time, completely refurbished and renovated, ready for the Blind Boone Festival.

The Jefferson Street Strutters played a few weeks back at the Manassas Jazz Festival.  That event was broadcast live on the internet, and has been archived so it is available online.  Go here and look at the list of events on the left side of the page.  Click on NEXT a couple times to get you to the event that is 40 minutes and 28 seconds long (they only managed to broadcast half our performance).  It'll give you an idea of what we're all about.

I've started a separate web entity at http://ragtime.ning.com to help with networking and to ease the posting of pictures and videos.  PLEASE JOIN!!!  Hey, it's modern.

Had a nice gig with the Hots last Sunday at the Spanish Ballroom.  A great turnout despite the rain.

Coming up is the Alex Bay fest' followed by the big trip to the midwest and all the numerous appearances out there.  I'm really cramming to get ready, but I sure am look forward to seeing everyone and listening to some great musicians.

http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/

http://ragtime.ning.com