So I woke up at 10am. Slept pretty early last night, a whole night's chat with Manda was very satisfying and I didn't feel like staying up so late anymore for some reason.
I had two rehearsals to run for today: 1st being Ensemble 212 (viola), 2nd being the French Baroque performance in CUNY Grad Center (Baroque violin).
I took a shower and got "stoned" in front of the computer (you know, computer and internet are like drugs) for a while, and went to make my lunch --- vegetarian curry rice. Then I came back and found Manda was back from school and was online.
So I started a little chit chat with her until she said she needed to practice a bit before her lesson (her first lesson with Renee Siebert). Later, I met up with her at her place and she drove us to Sunnyside to try to find a parking spot and hop on to the train. But she gave up later because she couldn't find a spot, and also, the place looks scary for a girl to walk in at night. I totally agree with her.
So she drove us straight into the City, and she dropped me in front of Jazz @ the Lincoln Center, cuz I thought my rehearsal was near there. And fuck me, I made a mistake! I couldn't figure out where the Good Shepherd Church was. But luckily there was an old man overheard me asking someone by the streets and came up to tell me that it's next to Lincoln Center. I suddenly realized where it was!! Hell I even performed there before!
The rehearsal with 212 was pretty long but I didn't really felt that way, the rehearsing technique was pretty impressive. But my viola reaidng skills still needs to improve that's for sure! I did well in all the pieces until Classical Symphony. I think Prokofiev was drunk on vodka when he wrote this, because he thought the viola section is the third violin section...
The other rehearsal was almost back-to-back with 212, and I had to rush to 34th St right after the little "makan" (eating) at the church basement. Wasn't too bad, I didn't know that I could take a "1" train straight to the Empire State Building. Ha! New discovery! Pretty handy.
By the time I was finished with the rehearsals, it was like 9 something at night already. I went to Wendy's, ordered some super value items and started chowing while reading the last book of "Uzumaki" by Ito Junji. And hell, I finished the entire book in Wendy's! It was 10.15pm then.
I reached home at about 11.30pm.
x x x x x x x x x x
One exciting thing about today:
I got an e-mail in my junk mailbox, it's from the Downtown Music Gallery that said "Mark Feldman Quartet, etc..." I didn't even look at the other words! The name "Mark Feldman"* totally caught my eyes and I went straight into that e-mail and see what it written in there.
It's Mark's new CD on ECM, with this famous bassist, Anders Jormin, whom had an album out on ECM, titled "Xieyi" (Chinese word that has two meanings: <1> Relaxed life, <2> A certain Chinese painting technique that passes on the feeling to the observer instead of a real figure of something), which is among my decent CD collection. The review was a great one, and I decided to buy it at some point.
So I wrote an e-mail to Mark, telling him that I wanna buy this album and stuff like that. I also attached my MySpace site and the Evil Twin's as well.
About 10 minutes afterwards, I got his e-mail reply which made my heart swell:
"hi I listened to your music of evil twin and It is sounding really good!
New York seems to have been really great for you Your Music has advanced so much from the
CD that you sent to me.
I really enjoyed it and keep up the good work!
best
mark feldman"
*In case you dunno who Mark Feldman is, he is one of the most famous jazz violinist in the world right now. Based in New York, he played for many great names (and STILL playing for some of them), including John Zorn, Dave Douglas, John Abercrombie, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Uri Caine, Trilok Gurtu, WDR Jazz Orchestra...etc.
Friday, September 29, 2006
B Section is out!!
So I wrote the previous blog, complaining that I can't find a good B section for "Manda's Mood" right?
Manda read my blog and was so happy to see that title. :D We chatted for a long time until I suddenly figured out a more decent B section for it.
Manda said she couldn't wait to listen to it. Unable to beat her curiosity, I recorded a 4-track overdub and sent to her through the net. She said she likes it!
Manda, if you're reading this, I want to say, thank you, and DON'T BEAT ME!!
OUCH!!
OO!!
OW!!!
OUCH!!!
Manda read my blog and was so happy to see that title. :D We chatted for a long time until I suddenly figured out a more decent B section for it.
Manda said she couldn't wait to listen to it. Unable to beat her curiosity, I recorded a 4-track overdub and sent to her through the net. She said she likes it!
Manda, if you're reading this, I want to say, thank you, and DON'T BEAT ME!!
OUCH!!
OO!!
OW!!!
OUCH!!!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
My New Song: Manda's Mood
I have that light and poppish sound in my head, which should be elegant and UNcheesy in the same time.
So I wrote down four bars of shit with chords that goes like this (REALLY pop sounding, don't laugh, cuz you don't hear the melody):
Dmaj7 - - - | B-7 - - - | Gmaj7 - - - | Emin7 - A7 - | and repeat...
Totally pop progression, but I like it simple.
And then I wrote two different versions of the B section, and they all sounded like cheesy Asian pop shit. I hate that sound. In fact I diss that sound, I could I possibly write something like that?!!
Anyway... Manda's Mood will be a work in progress...
p/s: Manda, if you read this, please forgive me and DON'T BEAT ME I beg u...
So I wrote down four bars of shit with chords that goes like this (REALLY pop sounding, don't laugh, cuz you don't hear the melody):
Dmaj7 - - - | B-7 - - - | Gmaj7 - - - | Emin7 - A7 - | and repeat...
Totally pop progression, but I like it simple.
And then I wrote two different versions of the B section, and they all sounded like cheesy Asian pop shit. I hate that sound. In fact I diss that sound, I could I possibly write something like that?!!
Anyway... Manda's Mood will be a work in progress...
p/s: Manda, if you read this, please forgive me and DON'T BEAT ME I beg u...
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Improv - Farewell to Momoko - Jam Session
Maybe Trane's spirit enlightened me on last Saturday (his birthday), I let two of my 10 students to improvise over the cheesy piano chords (that's all I can play, so don't laugh!).
The first kid, Rohin, an Indian kid who's really greedy about learning so many instruments, started doing his own thing over the chords. He did some beautiful shit in there, though not very organized. But who cares? It's improv. Plus I told him he shouldn't care, just express himself in his own way. The main reason I asked him to do this was to make him play beautiful sound that he hears in his head, because he's got serious tone quality problem. Well, he didn't really quite make it, but it's OK, it will come sooner or later.
Second kid, Cathy, a pretty little Chinese girl, when I told her that I'm gonna play some shit on the piano and she can do whatever she wants over it, her eyes shined with brightness and excitement and said, "COOOOOOWOL~~~!" She really played some wonderful shit over it. TRULY wonderful. She's got a great sense of melody!
Now I have to say that I NEVER taught them how to improvise. But how did they do it?
Or maybe this question is more important: Why could they do it?
I think the answer I can give right now, is, they're kids.
Kids always have this flexibility that adults can't have, physically and mentally. They're open-minded, easy-going, care-free, and relaxed.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
I met up with Heun Jeung on Sunday to go to the jam session that J-O organized.
Before that, Momoko came to meet up with us so that she could bring us to get her remaining stuff.
Before we went off, we had a little jam with her.
This is the first time (hopefully not the last time) I ever jammed with Momoko. She's got some sick lines, she's good! She told me I improved so much since last year. She didn't hear me play jazz for a year. I'm glad that she found me improving!
We went to her house to pick up some stuff that she gave Heun Jeung, and we took a picture with her!
We will miss you Momoko! See you again in New York some time!
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Yeah, jam session in International House besides Manhattan School of Music.
So Brandon Wright was there, Barb was there, Bodek Janke, Antonio Miguel, and of course Jean-Oliver Begin, the organizer, was there too. And Heun Jeung brought Mike Bloch (?), the cellist of Mark O'Connor.
The players were in a very high level, that kicked my ass to play my ass off. I was glad that people cheered and clapped pretty hard after I played the tune of Kevin's choice, Sonnymoon for Two. It was a Blues, something that's very handy for me. I remember Master Ray Pizzi's teaching, "Blues is all about complaining! Frustrations!"
It was a great night. The music went till 1:30am. And I got home at 4am.
Amazing day.
The first kid, Rohin, an Indian kid who's really greedy about learning so many instruments, started doing his own thing over the chords. He did some beautiful shit in there, though not very organized. But who cares? It's improv. Plus I told him he shouldn't care, just express himself in his own way. The main reason I asked him to do this was to make him play beautiful sound that he hears in his head, because he's got serious tone quality problem. Well, he didn't really quite make it, but it's OK, it will come sooner or later.
Second kid, Cathy, a pretty little Chinese girl, when I told her that I'm gonna play some shit on the piano and she can do whatever she wants over it, her eyes shined with brightness and excitement and said, "COOOOOOWOL~~~!" She really played some wonderful shit over it. TRULY wonderful. She's got a great sense of melody!
Now I have to say that I NEVER taught them how to improvise. But how did they do it?
Or maybe this question is more important: Why could they do it?
I think the answer I can give right now, is, they're kids.
Kids always have this flexibility that adults can't have, physically and mentally. They're open-minded, easy-going, care-free, and relaxed.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
I met up with Heun Jeung on Sunday to go to the jam session that J-O organized.
Before that, Momoko came to meet up with us so that she could bring us to get her remaining stuff.
Before we went off, we had a little jam with her.
This is the first time (hopefully not the last time) I ever jammed with Momoko. She's got some sick lines, she's good! She told me I improved so much since last year. She didn't hear me play jazz for a year. I'm glad that she found me improving!
We went to her house to pick up some stuff that she gave Heun Jeung, and we took a picture with her!
We will miss you Momoko! See you again in New York some time!
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Yeah, jam session in International House besides Manhattan School of Music.
So Brandon Wright was there, Barb was there, Bodek Janke, Antonio Miguel, and of course Jean-Oliver Begin, the organizer, was there too. And Heun Jeung brought Mike Bloch (?), the cellist of Mark O'Connor.
The players were in a very high level, that kicked my ass to play my ass off. I was glad that people cheered and clapped pretty hard after I played the tune of Kevin's choice, Sonnymoon for Two. It was a Blues, something that's very handy for me. I remember Master Ray Pizzi's teaching, "Blues is all about complaining! Frustrations!"
It was a great night. The music went till 1:30am. And I got home at 4am.
Amazing day.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Trane / Daijiro
9/23 is John Coltrane's birthday, and 9/24 is Daijiro's departure day to go back to Japan, then Germany.
Such meaningful days.
One is the arrival day of one of the greatest musical genius in our time.
Another one is the day one of my dearest friends leaving New York.
So in the intersection between these two special days, I met up with Daijiro, one last time before he left New York.
We met in Dunkin' Donuts, talked shit, had drinks and donut for an hour.
It was fun, a happy moment. There's never a moment so precious than spending time with your good friend --- a true friend.
When his bus came, I saw his eyes rolling with tears.
Such a person is Daijiro, full of emotion and sentimental. I still remember him crying after the concert with Prof. Michael Beuerle, hugging the professor.
Man, I'll never forget you! Wish you a wonderful career in the future!
And I hope our musical paths will cross again one day, play some crazy shit together, or, simply, sprechen Scheisse.
Thanks for cheering me up when I first came back from LA. Do you remember your quote? Maybe you don't. Here goes:
"Look at the sky, it's so clear and beautiful. Your heart should be like that too."
Yes my man, I will never forget this and I am putting it in good use.
Thank you so much! ありがとうございます！！ You will be 私の友達 forever.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
The Drake Function
Had a session with Marcy Rosen today, playing the 2nd movement of Brahms 6tet no.2.
After that I rushed to Manhattan with Jung Yi on the E train. She went to Mannes, while I went to Madison Ave to play in POA for Drake Management's function.
The spot that we perform in was on the balcony of 16th floor --- yes, open air. We could see so much of the City from a view that we hardly get, it's quite beautiful up there.
We should have started rehearsing from 3pm, but the people in the office didn't like to have noise, so we had to cancel it and do photo session instead. The photo session took about 20 minutes and we were off until 5.30pm.
So Wu Tang and Shao Lin (me) went out to the 5th Ave to have a look in the Gucci shop, also, he introduced me to this boutique shop "Blanc de Chine" (源) which was based on the Chinese traditional design. Hey, I've never lay an eye on shops like these, this is like the first time, a GUY showed me this. I even tried a closed-collar designed jacket, I always liked this kinda design. Man, it was 100% silk, really comfy to wear! But of course, if you look at the price, you will run away.
Then we went to the Louis Vuitton shop to have a look, saw so many Japanese in there, actually in the whole of 5th Ave. So Wu Tang and me were wondering how could they be so rich?
The gig went pretty smooth, except I didn't have my music, and was reading off Wu Tang's stand, but it didn't really matter cuz I knew the music very well. I'm still wondering where the hell did they keep my music?
Anyway... we got our paycheck during the intermission, which was great! Should've ran off with it... :P
Attached are the pics that I took today, and you can see Shaolin and Wu Tang doing their Chinese thing...
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
I changed my poster!
So excited!
Went to QC today and saw a poster sale in the dining hall.
So I went to look for Miles Davis' poster, and guess what? I found them!
I chose one of the many designs, which is entitled "Miles Davis New York City 1948".
I really like the black n white layout, typical for jazz musicians. He's sitting on the chair casually playing his trumpet. He defines the word "Cool".
Still and calm. Not afraid of anything, but not hasty to show it.
In his own words, "Don't take shit from nobody."
That's the kind of characteristics Miles represented throughout his life. People said he is arrogant, but I would say that's not the only thing he has. His arrogance has a deeper or more transcended manner. It's hard to explain, but I think I hear it in his music.
So here we are, Miles replacing my Star Wars poster.
A change.
I need a change.
I need a metamorphosis.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
A brainless day...
Hung over... Slept at 7am...
Got kicked up at 1pm to eat hot pot (thanks HP...)
Then I wasted my time on my bed the whole day, talking to Ken. Still tired over the hang-over.
Then out of tireness, I cancelled the hang with J.O. We will be meeting each other on Sunday in a jam session in International House.
Then Ma Jie and I talked on the MSN voice chat for 2 and a half hours. CRAZY!! She's really fun to talk to. Taught her how to analyze chords in a jazz tune. She said she needs tons of time to learn shit like that.
That was a fun conversation.
But then....I got a call from Choi right after the conversation and I found out that I forgot about Zach Brock's gig!!!!!!!! SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel so brainless now... I can't go there, it's out in Brooklyn, too far for a train rider...
So I went to Liu He to have my pork chop rice and stinky tofu and came back, with LHP dancing with DDR...
That's my day...
Got kicked up at 1pm to eat hot pot (thanks HP...)
Then I wasted my time on my bed the whole day, talking to Ken. Still tired over the hang-over.
Then out of tireness, I cancelled the hang with J.O. We will be meeting each other on Sunday in a jam session in International House.
Then Ma Jie and I talked on the MSN voice chat for 2 and a half hours. CRAZY!! She's really fun to talk to. Taught her how to analyze chords in a jazz tune. She said she needs tons of time to learn shit like that.
That was a fun conversation.
But then....I got a call from Choi right after the conversation and I found out that I forgot about Zach Brock's gig!!!!!!!! SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel so brainless now... I can't go there, it's out in Brooklyn, too far for a train rider...
So I went to Liu He to have my pork chop rice and stinky tofu and came back, with LHP dancing with DDR...
That's my day...
Monday, September 18, 2006
華人=民族文化的走狗?
以前在大馬看到很多的華人不懂中文, 覺得很不以為然, 會認為可能是因為我們這裡的人隔了幾代, 所以民族情節薄弱.
來了美國才發現原來根本就不是這麼一回事. 因為剛來到美國幾年的中國與台灣人, 很多已經開始在洋腔洋調的互放洋屁. 明明是從說共同語言的地方來的人, 竟然像自己的語言不夠cool似的, 在對話的時候儘量迪溜迪溜的大說英語. 他們的下一代, 可想而知的, 當然也就不認識一個方塊字了. 我看過很滑稽的一個畫面 --- 街上, 中國媽媽在用華語罵自己上幼兒園的兒子, 兒子則以100%的美國口音英語反駁, 到最後媽媽屈服了, 開始用自己的瘪腳英語來繼續罵. 這很表面上看起來很好笑, 可是想深一層的話, 那其實很可悲.
有趣的是, 我們不難發現, 同樣是東亞人的日本人還有韓國人, 民族意識之強, 令人佩服.
我們可以看到這裡出生的韓國青年日本青年, 絕大部分都會講自己的語言, 會寫自己的文字, 即使英文再好再溜, 很多時候(甚至大多時候)都還是會用自己的語言交流對話.
我曾經教過一個學生, 是一對台灣夫妻的孩子, 姓王. 有一天我記出缺席表的時候, 忘了他的姓氏, 就問他幸甚麼來著. 他說:"W'a'ng", 就是把"a"唸成"欸"(ㄟ), 不是"阿"(ㄚ). 我就馬上更正他說中國姓氏裡面沒有"W'a'ng", 只有"WAHng". 我也不管他媽媽在旁邊聽了有甚麼感想, 反正我覺得身為一個華人, 自己的名字姓氏都唸不准, 那還算是甚麼?
還有, 同樣的這個孩子剛來上第一課的時候, 我就問他媽媽說:"他會不會說華語?" 他媽媽竟然很理所當然的說:"不會啊! 只說英語! 你看你說(華語)的時候他有沒有回答你??" 我聽了馬上就心裡在暗罵, 有這樣的父母, 還會出甚麼樣的孩子?
我不禁問自己, 到底為甚麼只有我們華人會摒棄自己的語言文化, 覺得無所謂, 甚至理所當然呢?
我覺得這跟華人根本的民族性有很大的關聯.
說穿了, 華人到海外生活為的是甚麼? 當然是為了找錢生存. 這本來不是錯事, 其他的民族都一樣. 可是我們華人是那種可以為了利益而不擇手段的民族, 所以我們才能夠在世界各地落地生根.
這種民族性可以是好事, 但如果不加控制, 就會變成唯利是圖.
當利字當頭的時候, 中國人本來崇尚的"忠義"兩德, 自然就拋諸腦後了, 誰來理你甚麼民族自尊? 反正這個世界本來就是誰有權有勢就會有人"尊敬", 有人巴結, 那又何需懂甚麼中文?
各位同胞們, 不管你從哪裡來, 為何而來, 政治觀點如何, 都不要忘了自己的根. 在海外立足的時候, 就只有我們的文化和語言能夠辨識出我們的身分, 我們的背景, 沒了根, 沒了民族意識, 我們就幾乎等同於空雞蛋殼, 一捏即碎!
來了美國才發現原來根本就不是這麼一回事. 因為剛來到美國幾年的中國與台灣人, 很多已經開始在洋腔洋調的互放洋屁. 明明是從說共同語言的地方來的人, 竟然像自己的語言不夠cool似的, 在對話的時候儘量迪溜迪溜的大說英語. 他們的下一代, 可想而知的, 當然也就不認識一個方塊字了. 我看過很滑稽的一個畫面 --- 街上, 中國媽媽在用華語罵自己上幼兒園的兒子, 兒子則以100%的美國口音英語反駁, 到最後媽媽屈服了, 開始用自己的瘪腳英語來繼續罵. 這很表面上看起來很好笑, 可是想深一層的話, 那其實很可悲.
有趣的是, 我們不難發現, 同樣是東亞人的日本人還有韓國人, 民族意識之強, 令人佩服.
我們可以看到這裡出生的韓國青年日本青年, 絕大部分都會講自己的語言, 會寫自己的文字, 即使英文再好再溜, 很多時候(甚至大多時候)都還是會用自己的語言交流對話.
我曾經教過一個學生, 是一對台灣夫妻的孩子, 姓王. 有一天我記出缺席表的時候, 忘了他的姓氏, 就問他幸甚麼來著. 他說:"W'a'ng", 就是把"a"唸成"欸"(ㄟ), 不是"阿"(ㄚ). 我就馬上更正他說中國姓氏裡面沒有"W'a'ng", 只有"WAHng". 我也不管他媽媽在旁邊聽了有甚麼感想, 反正我覺得身為一個華人, 自己的名字姓氏都唸不准, 那還算是甚麼?
還有, 同樣的這個孩子剛來上第一課的時候, 我就問他媽媽說:"他會不會說華語?" 他媽媽竟然很理所當然的說:"不會啊! 只說英語! 你看你說(華語)的時候他有沒有回答你??" 我聽了馬上就心裡在暗罵, 有這樣的父母, 還會出甚麼樣的孩子?
我不禁問自己, 到底為甚麼只有我們華人會摒棄自己的語言文化, 覺得無所謂, 甚至理所當然呢?
我覺得這跟華人根本的民族性有很大的關聯.
說穿了, 華人到海外生活為的是甚麼? 當然是為了找錢生存. 這本來不是錯事, 其他的民族都一樣. 可是我們華人是那種可以為了利益而不擇手段的民族, 所以我們才能夠在世界各地落地生根.
這種民族性可以是好事, 但如果不加控制, 就會變成唯利是圖.
當利字當頭的時候, 中國人本來崇尚的"忠義"兩德, 自然就拋諸腦後了, 誰來理你甚麼民族自尊? 反正這個世界本來就是誰有權有勢就會有人"尊敬", 有人巴結, 那又何需懂甚麼中文?
各位同胞們, 不管你從哪裡來, 為何而來, 政治觀點如何, 都不要忘了自己的根. 在海外立足的時候, 就只有我們的文化和語言能夠辨識出我們的身分, 我們的背景, 沒了根, 沒了民族意識, 我們就幾乎等同於空雞蛋殼, 一捏即碎!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Dizzy and tired...
I didn't really sleep last night. Went out with Harman for a long time until 2.00am. Then we recorded "Sub-Solitude" in my room, it sounded alright, but can be improved much more.
I decided not to sleep because I had to send Harman to the bus station in 7am. So I talked to HP, my housemate for a long time, talking shit about other people, just like how we used to be when we were together.
Then I finally went to sleep at 5.30am, just for an hour is better than nothing. Then by 7am Harman kicked me up to say bye to me and told me that I can go back to sleep because he knows how to get to the bus station. I crashed back immediately and slept till 11.30am.
I got a text message from Wen Han saying that she forgot what time are we supposed to rehearse. Only then I remembered that we should rehearse today!!
So I took a quick shower while I was still half asleep, and rushed out for Q65A, luckily there was one right away.
Subway system in NYC can be a mess during weekends, and unfortunately today was one of those days. Took me so long to get there.
I reached Manhattan School of Music by 2.30pm, and surprise! Wen Han was there walking towards MSM too!
5pm was the rehearsal for POA, till 8pm.
Went to Chinatown with Jing until 10 something.
Tired now... REALLY tired...
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
A bit disappointed with the gig, disappointed with the turn-up.
But I remember me saying in my previous blog, that a big turn-up in the first gig does not guarantee a big turn-up in the next one.
So maybe this is a good sign, my crowd could be bigger next time, who knows?
Always look at the bright side of life.
I decided not to sleep because I had to send Harman to the bus station in 7am. So I talked to HP, my housemate for a long time, talking shit about other people, just like how we used to be when we were together.
Then I finally went to sleep at 5.30am, just for an hour is better than nothing. Then by 7am Harman kicked me up to say bye to me and told me that I can go back to sleep because he knows how to get to the bus station. I crashed back immediately and slept till 11.30am.
I got a text message from Wen Han saying that she forgot what time are we supposed to rehearse. Only then I remembered that we should rehearse today!!
So I took a quick shower while I was still half asleep, and rushed out for Q65A, luckily there was one right away.
Subway system in NYC can be a mess during weekends, and unfortunately today was one of those days. Took me so long to get there.
I reached Manhattan School of Music by 2.30pm, and surprise! Wen Han was there walking towards MSM too!
5pm was the rehearsal for POA, till 8pm.
Went to Chinatown with Jing until 10 something.
Tired now... REALLY tired...
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
A bit disappointed with the gig, disappointed with the turn-up.
But I remember me saying in my previous blog, that a big turn-up in the first gig does not guarantee a big turn-up in the next one.
So maybe this is a good sign, my crowd could be bigger next time, who knows?
Always look at the bright side of life.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Gig in 169
We got there, a dude was starting to sing. Our stomachs were moaning for food. So we went to this Chinese-Malaysian restaurant across 169 Bar and had a decent meal. (The waitress was a bit rude though)
We got back after the meal, with our unfinished Yangzhou fried rice, seeing another guy ready to play. We're a little confused because we're supposed to be the 2nd group of the night.
But anyway, we started our long wait. With those cheesy teen-rock songs...
Only two of our audiences were here (HP and Firepower), so we decided to wait longer. Thus, another act.
Finally we had 4 more people here, namely, Nick, Choi, Josh and a friend of his.
We decided that we couldn't wait any longer, because the music was too overwhelming.
So we started to play our Riders on the Lost Track, people didn't really pay attention, they're making noise, talking, laughing and shit.
Then we started to do our crazy intro for Michael, with all that distortion and stuff, people started to focus on us a little.
By the time we played Get It, it was alright, there were some reaction, but not much.
I guess it's simply because we played in the wrong place with the wrong vibe with the wrong crowd.
But it's OK, it's a first time. It's always good to have a first time.
OK, time to crash, 9.30am student tomorrow, teaching till 6.30pm. Crazy life.
I hate Saturdays.
We got back after the meal, with our unfinished Yangzhou fried rice, seeing another guy ready to play. We're a little confused because we're supposed to be the 2nd group of the night.
But anyway, we started our long wait. With those cheesy teen-rock songs...
Only two of our audiences were here (HP and Firepower), so we decided to wait longer. Thus, another act.
Finally we had 4 more people here, namely, Nick, Choi, Josh and a friend of his.
We decided that we couldn't wait any longer, because the music was too overwhelming.
So we started to play our Riders on the Lost Track, people didn't really pay attention, they're making noise, talking, laughing and shit.
Then we started to do our crazy intro for Michael, with all that distortion and stuff, people started to focus on us a little.
By the time we played Get It, it was alright, there were some reaction, but not much.
I guess it's simply because we played in the wrong place with the wrong vibe with the wrong crowd.
But it's OK, it's a first time. It's always good to have a first time.
OK, time to crash, 9.30am student tomorrow, teaching till 6.30pm. Crazy life.
I hate Saturdays.
The Evil Twin in New York
Went to pick up Jeremy last night (this morning?) in Canal St.
It's time to rock.
I'm a little excited (nervous?) about the whole thing.
But I hope it will turn out OK.
I can't let my friends that support me so much down!!
"I will survive~~~!!"
It's time to rock.
I'm a little excited (nervous?) about the whole thing.
But I hope it will turn out OK.
I can't let my friends that support me so much down!!
"I will survive~~~!!"
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
RC CD
I mean, don't mean no respect to RC but I never really liked RC's playing so much.
Now that's not really the reason I didn't want the CD.
My only problem was that it's from Sctt. Why the fuck should I want that shit from him??
I mean, fuck it man, if you see yourself as a friend, just hide yourself in your little hut in the West and DON'T MAKE A SOUND, DON'T SAY A WORD, DON'T DO NOTHING, and I will be happy. Whatchu giving that shit to me for? You KNOW I didn't have good impression about the whole thing that happened, what the fuck you tryin' to prove? You think givin' me a gift can make me feel better? It's awkward in the first place!Damn... But I still want to say thank you no matter what, but I know the one who passed to me didn't pass on that message.
And you, yes YOU, the one who passed me that gift, you outta your mind??? Don't you know my temper??? You seriously think I will accept that shit??? And why did you have to tell him that I don't want it??? Just keep it to yourself and SHUT UP ALREADY! Hey, you have a new CD in your collection~~ Hello??? You fucked up your mind or what???
This whole shit is all fucked up. OK OK!! Blame it all on me!! Jeez...
Now that's not really the reason I didn't want the CD.
My only problem was that it's from Sctt. Why the fuck should I want that shit from him??
I mean, fuck it man, if you see yourself as a friend, just hide yourself in your little hut in the West and DON'T MAKE A SOUND, DON'T SAY A WORD, DON'T DO NOTHING, and I will be happy. Whatchu giving that shit to me for? You KNOW I didn't have good impression about the whole thing that happened, what the fuck you tryin' to prove? You think givin' me a gift can make me feel better? It's awkward in the first place!Damn... But I still want to say thank you no matter what, but I know the one who passed to me didn't pass on that message.
And you, yes YOU, the one who passed me that gift, you outta your mind??? Don't you know my temper??? You seriously think I will accept that shit??? And why did you have to tell him that I don't want it??? Just keep it to yourself and SHUT UP ALREADY! Hey, you have a new CD in your collection~~ Hello??? You fucked up your mind or what???
This whole shit is all fucked up. OK OK!! Blame it all on me!! Jeez...
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Monday, September 11, 2006
9/11 Musical day out
Yes, it's September 11th.
Some people are freaked out, fearing there might be some serious shit happening again.
But I went out anyway. At 12.30pm, I was in Carnegie Hall with Nick Ong singing Mozart's Requiem in the audience.
Then we had lunch in Hunan Park before he went to his accompanying gig in Bronxville.
So I loafed around Lincoln Center area, and finally made up my mind to watch a movie in Lincoln Plaza Cinema. But before that I went into Holy Trinity Church to meditate, cleared my mind a bit. That short moment of silence worked so well for me! My mind was suddenly so clear.
Anyway, the movie --- "The Protector" (aka Tom Yam Goong. Thai movie)--- was really bad. I mean the action was terrific, but the script was almost amateurish!! Can't believe it. They should find a balance...
Then, it was the highlight of the day --- The New York Voices, 'live' in Jazz Standard!
Best part is: IT'S FREE!! It's under something called the "September Concert", where many countries in the world organise lots of free concerts in the different parts of the land.
So me, Nick, Jido, and two other friends of Jido's went in and enjoyed a set of superior jazz vocal performance. Not to mention that both the male members in the group can play some mean instruments too!
After the gig, I went to lower east with Nick to see what's happening in The Stone. Stupid me, they're close on Mondays!! Fuck me!!!
Then we went to West Village and I showed him some jazz clubs there, and we ended up chatting in Starbucks.
It was a cool day!
Some people are freaked out, fearing there might be some serious shit happening again.
But I went out anyway. At 12.30pm, I was in Carnegie Hall with Nick Ong singing Mozart's Requiem in the audience.
Then we had lunch in Hunan Park before he went to his accompanying gig in Bronxville.
So I loafed around Lincoln Center area, and finally made up my mind to watch a movie in Lincoln Plaza Cinema. But before that I went into Holy Trinity Church to meditate, cleared my mind a bit. That short moment of silence worked so well for me! My mind was suddenly so clear.
Anyway, the movie --- "The Protector" (aka Tom Yam Goong. Thai movie)--- was really bad. I mean the action was terrific, but the script was almost amateurish!! Can't believe it. They should find a balance...
Then, it was the highlight of the day --- The New York Voices, 'live' in Jazz Standard!
Best part is: IT'S FREE!! It's under something called the "September Concert", where many countries in the world organise lots of free concerts in the different parts of the land.
So me, Nick, Jido, and two other friends of Jido's went in and enjoyed a set of superior jazz vocal performance. Not to mention that both the male members in the group can play some mean instruments too!
After the gig, I went to lower east with Nick to see what's happening in The Stone. Stupid me, they're close on Mondays!! Fuck me!!!
Then we went to West Village and I showed him some jazz clubs there, and we ended up chatting in Starbucks.
It was a cool day!
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Another lone Sake night
Hiding myself in my apartment has become my habit.
Night is deep. Sake is ice cold.
I'm sitting in front of the computer, a little buzzed, writing this blog, together with David Tao's breezy voice.
Do I like to be alone so much? Yes? No? Or maybe both?
I suppose my biggest problem is staying far away from the City, nowhere to go.
Maybe I should go to the Queens College campus sometimes, longing at the distanced city view, lights shooting into the endless night sky. Hearing car honks from miles away. Watching planes flying in bound and out.
Sometimes I feel that finding solitude while looking at business and crowdiness is an enjoyment.
Maybe that's what I am.
Like what I said earlier to a friend, maybe I do not deserve any love and care, because I'm simply cold and selfish most of the time. For people who don't know me, maybe I'm a nice guy.
When one really gets to know the real me, that might not be the case.
Who am I?
A complex organic machine who's too into his own world and couldn't care less what others think and feel.
Maybe I should be married to music instead. I'm already having fornication with her every single second, might as well.
Knowing myself is a hard thing, but all I can say is, I'm quite a fucked up person in general.
Selfish.
Unkind.
Fake, even.
Lustful for more and more musical satisfaction.
Breaking people's heart again and again.
I think before others reject me, I should learn to reject others.
Yeah, don't come near me, I'm dangerous.
Night is deep. Sake is ice cold.
I'm sitting in front of the computer, a little buzzed, writing this blog, together with David Tao's breezy voice.
Do I like to be alone so much? Yes? No? Or maybe both?
I suppose my biggest problem is staying far away from the City, nowhere to go.
Maybe I should go to the Queens College campus sometimes, longing at the distanced city view, lights shooting into the endless night sky. Hearing car honks from miles away. Watching planes flying in bound and out.
Sometimes I feel that finding solitude while looking at business and crowdiness is an enjoyment.
Maybe that's what I am.
Like what I said earlier to a friend, maybe I do not deserve any love and care, because I'm simply cold and selfish most of the time. For people who don't know me, maybe I'm a nice guy.
When one really gets to know the real me, that might not be the case.
Who am I?
A complex organic machine who's too into his own world and couldn't care less what others think and feel.
Maybe I should be married to music instead. I'm already having fornication with her every single second, might as well.
Knowing myself is a hard thing, but all I can say is, I'm quite a fucked up person in general.
Selfish.
Unkind.
Fake, even.
Lustful for more and more musical satisfaction.
Breaking people's heart again and again.
I think before others reject me, I should learn to reject others.
Yeah, don't come near me, I'm dangerous.
Short piece new title
After a few days of thinking, at last I found a real title for my short violin-cello duo piece, formally titled "JY". The new title will be "Sub-Solitude".
Since I wrote that in a subway train, and by myself (can't possibly write it down with somebody else besides me anyway), this is a more suitable title.
Yay, one more job done!
Since I wrote that in a subway train, and by myself (can't possibly write it down with somebody else besides me anyway), this is a more suitable title.
Yay, one more job done!
Why such a casual groove and feel for such a sad story?
I was listening to a song by David Tao, it's called "Susan said".
I never looked at the lyrics and thus never knew it was about, cuz you have to know, Tao is not so clear in pronunciation.
Anyway, I took a look at the lyrics just now, I was shocked by the crazy story happened in the words. I can't believe how could he put such a casual and happy groove and feel in to this bitter story of a poor woman.
The lyrics:
"Yeah 蘇三說 Susan 在那命運月台前面 再上車 春天開始落葉 轉接間 話斷了線 離台北 南京是多麼遠 Oh 那諾言 還會不會兌現 Yeah 不在乎愛情裡傷痛在所難免 一個人卻一個世界 Oh 你是否也像我 動搖過幾遍 愛之是個錯覺 Oh Yeah 蘇三說 思念 常常想念不常見面 她懷疑Sam是虛擬的臉 但愛情 還在上演 那是誰 在放古老唱片 那片段 像對未來留言 不在乎愛情裡傷痛在所難免 一個人卻一個世界 Oh 你是否也像我 動搖過幾遍 愛會不會實現 Oh "蘇三離開了洪桐縣 將身來在大街前 未曾開口心慘澹 過往的君子聽我言" 蘇三離了洪桐縣 掛了個牌子在那大街前 被那凶惡群眾包圍 稍微 等一下 過往的君子請你聽我言 哪一位去我南京轉 與我那三郎把信轉 就說蘇三把命斷 來生變一隻狗一隻馬 我當報還 不在乎愛情裡傷痛在所難免 一個人卻一個世界 Oh 我懷疑你像我 動搖過幾遍 是否愛本來善變 Oh..."
Looks like the story is about Susan from Nanjing who was living in Taipei, because she thought she moved in with a man who loves her, Sam. And apparently Sam wasn't as good as he looks, maybe she's his mistress (very common story). He didn't really give a shit to her after she got to Taipei, his face was almost like a computer generated image in her memories. She decided to end her life, and asked somebody to tell her husband/lover back in Nanjing that she will payback what she owed to him in the next life, to do so, she is willing to turn into a horse or a dog, she doesn't mind.
Sad story, but Tao used some really bouncy groove and major key and happy mood.
Isn't that ironic? For a great musician like Tao, I'm sure he did that purposely. It such a big contrast that when you find out what's in the lyrics, you would start to tear!
David Tao, man, he's something...
I never looked at the lyrics and thus never knew it was about, cuz you have to know, Tao is not so clear in pronunciation.
Anyway, I took a look at the lyrics just now, I was shocked by the crazy story happened in the words. I can't believe how could he put such a casual and happy groove and feel in to this bitter story of a poor woman.
The lyrics:
"Yeah 蘇三說 Susan 在那命運月台前面 再上車 春天開始落葉 轉接間 話斷了線 離台北 南京是多麼遠 Oh 那諾言 還會不會兌現 Yeah 不在乎愛情裡傷痛在所難免 一個人卻一個世界 Oh 你是否也像我 動搖過幾遍 愛之是個錯覺 Oh Yeah 蘇三說 思念 常常想念不常見面 她懷疑Sam是虛擬的臉 但愛情 還在上演 那是誰 在放古老唱片 那片段 像對未來留言 不在乎愛情裡傷痛在所難免 一個人卻一個世界 Oh 你是否也像我 動搖過幾遍 愛會不會實現 Oh "蘇三離開了洪桐縣 將身來在大街前 未曾開口心慘澹 過往的君子聽我言" 蘇三離了洪桐縣 掛了個牌子在那大街前 被那凶惡群眾包圍 稍微 等一下 過往的君子請你聽我言 哪一位去我南京轉 與我那三郎把信轉 就說蘇三把命斷 來生變一隻狗一隻馬 我當報還 不在乎愛情裡傷痛在所難免 一個人卻一個世界 Oh 我懷疑你像我 動搖過幾遍 是否愛本來善變 Oh..."
Looks like the story is about Susan from Nanjing who was living in Taipei, because she thought she moved in with a man who loves her, Sam. And apparently Sam wasn't as good as he looks, maybe she's his mistress (very common story). He didn't really give a shit to her after she got to Taipei, his face was almost like a computer generated image in her memories. She decided to end her life, and asked somebody to tell her husband/lover back in Nanjing that she will payback what she owed to him in the next life, to do so, she is willing to turn into a horse or a dog, she doesn't mind.
Sad story, but Tao used some really bouncy groove and major key and happy mood.
Isn't that ironic? For a great musician like Tao, I'm sure he did that purposely. It such a big contrast that when you find out what's in the lyrics, you would start to tear!
David Tao, man, he's something...
Exciting post-teaching Saturday
So I was out by 4.30pm from SOS, feeling so good!!
I am a viola teacher at last, never really taught a violist before. This viola student ain't so bad at all. I think she can be shaped.
Anyway, Nick Ong called me up and asked me if I wanna do some shit together, so I suggested DJR's restaurant.
So we ended up meeting each other at 8.15pm (he was late), had a fucking big meal until I could not tahan ("stand" in Malay) anymore. There is always this eggplant dish that makes me feel like puking... I felt so bad after eating just a piece of it, yuck... thinking of the taste still makes me feel like puking!
After the meal, I tried to go to find Martin and Min Jee in the Vanguard even though I was quite sure that I couldn't see them --- I had time anyway.
So of course, the 11pm set was almost started, and they disappeared from the scene.
So I shuffled around the Village and thought of finding out what's going on in 55 Bar, and guess whom I saw? JANELLE!!
That's just so random! She was standing right outside of the Bar, so we hugged and greeted each other and talked. I only heard she's gonna be moving in town, but never thought I would run into her like that.
So me, Janelle, and a friend of hers, Charlie, went to Daddy-O to drink. We went pass Sweet Rhythm on the way, Jeremy Pelt, Louis Hayes and some other people were playing in there. Man, were they killin'?!! We stopped there for a long while!
After the drink in Daddy-O, Charlie and me took a train home, wow! I talked to him so much! Looks like a guy who can get along, pretty cool!
I am a viola teacher at last, never really taught a violist before. This viola student ain't so bad at all. I think she can be shaped.
Anyway, Nick Ong called me up and asked me if I wanna do some shit together, so I suggested DJR's restaurant.
So we ended up meeting each other at 8.15pm (he was late), had a fucking big meal until I could not tahan ("stand" in Malay) anymore. There is always this eggplant dish that makes me feel like puking... I felt so bad after eating just a piece of it, yuck... thinking of the taste still makes me feel like puking!
After the meal, I tried to go to find Martin and Min Jee in the Vanguard even though I was quite sure that I couldn't see them --- I had time anyway.
So of course, the 11pm set was almost started, and they disappeared from the scene.
So I shuffled around the Village and thought of finding out what's going on in 55 Bar, and guess whom I saw? JANELLE!!
That's just so random! She was standing right outside of the Bar, so we hugged and greeted each other and talked. I only heard she's gonna be moving in town, but never thought I would run into her like that.
So me, Janelle, and a friend of hers, Charlie, went to Daddy-O to drink. We went pass Sweet Rhythm on the way, Jeremy Pelt, Louis Hayes and some other people were playing in there. Man, were they killin'?!! We stopped there for a long while!
After the drink in Daddy-O, Charlie and me took a train home, wow! I talked to him so much! Looks like a guy who can get along, pretty cool!
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Didn't get the gig
Didn't get the gig, no Social Security Number...
Where's my fuckin' OPT CARD?!!!!!!!!!
Where's my fuckin' OPT CARD?!!!!!!!!!
Friday, September 08, 2006
An exciting day...
I woke up this morning, around 11 something. (Slept at 5am ok? So shut up!)
I jotted down everything that I need to do today:
1) Send the signed contract to Barry Seroff
2) E-mail resume to the Brooklyn Queens Conservatory of Music
3) Return CD to Smaldone
4) Look for an amplifier
5) Copy out clean parts for my new song "JY"
I sat in front of the computer and added some new info into my resume and sent it out.
The contract I sent out on the way to QC, the CD I slipped into the key drop of the office.
Then I went on to Sam Ash to look for my amplifier. On the way, I got to know a pretty chick in the bus station, she studies in the high school besides Queens College. (Underage huh? I see) Anyway, after I got down from the bus, I walked to Sam Ash, when a lady called me up, telling me that she is a contractor from an opera company, it's a Union gig! I told her I was outside, I had to check my schedule before I can really answer her.
Anyways, I bought a 20 Watts Guitar Research amp, 119 dollars. Not bad. Quite loud.
So now I'm back, knowing that I can do the gig, called the contractor up twice on different numbers, no answers, left voice message, e-mail her my resume...
We'll see how it goes.
One last thing to do before I sleep: Copy out the parts.
By the way, Rachel, thanks for looking out, I hope I can get the gig! Thank you so very much!
I jotted down everything that I need to do today:
1) Send the signed contract to Barry Seroff
2) E-mail resume to the Brooklyn Queens Conservatory of Music
3) Return CD to Smaldone
4) Look for an amplifier
5) Copy out clean parts for my new song "JY"
I sat in front of the computer and added some new info into my resume and sent it out.
The contract I sent out on the way to QC, the CD I slipped into the key drop of the office.
Then I went on to Sam Ash to look for my amplifier. On the way, I got to know a pretty chick in the bus station, she studies in the high school besides Queens College. (Underage huh? I see) Anyway, after I got down from the bus, I walked to Sam Ash, when a lady called me up, telling me that she is a contractor from an opera company, it's a Union gig! I told her I was outside, I had to check my schedule before I can really answer her.
Anyways, I bought a 20 Watts Guitar Research amp, 119 dollars. Not bad. Quite loud.
So now I'm back, knowing that I can do the gig, called the contractor up twice on different numbers, no answers, left voice message, e-mail her my resume...
We'll see how it goes.
One last thing to do before I sleep: Copy out the parts.
By the way, Rachel, thanks for looking out, I hope I can get the gig! Thank you so very much!
Is this insomnia???
Oi, go sleep lar! What happened to you???
Are you crazy???
You slept for 10 minutes and you woke up and can't sleep anymore???
What's the matter with you???
Damn... oh I see Joyce is online... Lemme talk to her...
Webcamming...
Oh, Ken, that bastard is here too...
OK...
BUT WHEN AM I GOING TO GET TIRED?!!!!!!!
Oh damn... Guys, is this what you call an "insomnia"??
Are you crazy???
You slept for 10 minutes and you woke up and can't sleep anymore???
What's the matter with you???
Damn... oh I see Joyce is online... Lemme talk to her...
Webcamming...
Oh, Ken, that bastard is here too...
OK...
BUT WHEN AM I GOING TO GET TIRED?!!!!!!!
Oh damn... Guys, is this what you call an "insomnia"??
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Blah...
Just went up to read Joyceh's blog, suddenly felt an urge to write some shit here too. So here I am.
I woke up fairly early, BY MICHELLE'S PHONE CALL!! It's OK Michelle, thanks for making me a normal person --- well, not that normal, but at least I woke up earlier than I used to. Yeah you're welcome, it's OUR gig anyways, we work together, so I have a responsbility to do something. Plus, I got the gig.
Then I started some "mou lei tau" (nonsense in Cantonese) chatting with Ken and Joyceh. Yes, three ways on Skype, pretty cool huh? The function is called "conference", just go and click "Tools", and click "Create a Conference", you can have multiple people to talk to in the same time.
Anyway, I had been text messaging JY for a bit, she told me she really like what I wrote, and she had been playing it for the whole morning. I'm glad. Yeah, thanks for borrowing me your name.
Then I went out to have some buns in the Chinese bakery on Kissena Blvd, met Ming, had some usual guy's dirty talk and nonsense chatting. Then went to the music building and met Dong and Dae-il and talked to them for a long while before I went to see Irving (Yes, that's my original intention to go to the music building, but i dunno what I'm thinkin'). So I made him notice that I haven't get the check yet, once again.
Then I came home, finally had a long telephone conversation with JY, for the first time. Only problem was that the sound was too muffled, couldn't really hear her well most of the time. But yeah, it was a good chat.
...
I had been telling people about my upcoming jazz gig, got a lot of greetings in my e-mail inbox, mostly saying that "I wish I could be there but good luck", that tells a lot. But I'm still thankful that these guys/girls actually took the trouble to reply me and gave me their best wishes.
I'm not too worried about not too many people attending though, because if you get a full house on your first gig, it doesn't mean that you'll get a full house on your second gig. People will either think you're nothing special, or would simply like to spend some money for other bands that they like as well.
You can't get the same crowd in every gig.
And now I can understand why artist kept on promoting themselves non-stop, because they HAVE to reach a bigger crowd so that there will always be a steady number of audiences in every gig. And also, that's why we need to keep on improving our crafts.
(Ray, please tell me if I'm wrong or if you have something to add up in this statement, please hit the "Comment" below and let me know, you know you're my father-figure, I always respect your statements. I know you're reading, man, come on! Start bitchin' at me!)
Music, no, it's not an easy job. Those of you who think we live our lives easily, please think again.
In this business, we always have to think about "What's next?". There is NO settling-down --- well maybe yes, in the orchestra, maybe. (But you still have to practice just in case some assholes wanna re-audition you, right?)
p/s: Oh, by the way, this is Ray Pizzi's quote of the day: "I'm intoxicated by your indifference". Bitchin' huh?
I woke up fairly early, BY MICHELLE'S PHONE CALL!! It's OK Michelle, thanks for making me a normal person --- well, not that normal, but at least I woke up earlier than I used to. Yeah you're welcome, it's OUR gig anyways, we work together, so I have a responsbility to do something. Plus, I got the gig.
Then I started some "mou lei tau" (nonsense in Cantonese) chatting with Ken and Joyceh. Yes, three ways on Skype, pretty cool huh? The function is called "conference", just go and click "Tools", and click "Create a Conference", you can have multiple people to talk to in the same time.
Anyway, I had been text messaging JY for a bit, she told me she really like what I wrote, and she had been playing it for the whole morning. I'm glad. Yeah, thanks for borrowing me your name.
Then I went out to have some buns in the Chinese bakery on Kissena Blvd, met Ming, had some usual guy's dirty talk and nonsense chatting. Then went to the music building and met Dong and Dae-il and talked to them for a long while before I went to see Irving (Yes, that's my original intention to go to the music building, but i dunno what I'm thinkin'). So I made him notice that I haven't get the check yet, once again.
Then I came home, finally had a long telephone conversation with JY, for the first time. Only problem was that the sound was too muffled, couldn't really hear her well most of the time. But yeah, it was a good chat.
...
I had been telling people about my upcoming jazz gig, got a lot of greetings in my e-mail inbox, mostly saying that "I wish I could be there but good luck", that tells a lot. But I'm still thankful that these guys/girls actually took the trouble to reply me and gave me their best wishes.
I'm not too worried about not too many people attending though, because if you get a full house on your first gig, it doesn't mean that you'll get a full house on your second gig. People will either think you're nothing special, or would simply like to spend some money for other bands that they like as well.
You can't get the same crowd in every gig.
And now I can understand why artist kept on promoting themselves non-stop, because they HAVE to reach a bigger crowd so that there will always be a steady number of audiences in every gig. And also, that's why we need to keep on improving our crafts.
(Ray, please tell me if I'm wrong or if you have something to add up in this statement, please hit the "Comment" below and let me know, you know you're my father-figure, I always respect your statements. I know you're reading, man, come on! Start bitchin' at me!)
Music, no, it's not an easy job. Those of you who think we live our lives easily, please think again.
In this business, we always have to think about "What's next?". There is NO settling-down --- well maybe yes, in the orchestra, maybe. (But you still have to practice just in case some assholes wanna re-audition you, right?)
p/s: Oh, by the way, this is Ray Pizzi's quote of the day: "I'm intoxicated by your indifference". Bitchin' huh?
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
An e-mail to a friend
Hey,
I just ran back from the rain outside, soaked.
Thought of writing to you before anything else.
I'm listening to the duo performance of Kenny Barron (piano) and Stan Getz (alto sax) right now. So deep... full of soul... Makes you wanna lay down and not standing up anymore...
It's the last album made by Stan Getz. Right after he did this live performance, he died.
People say some can foretell their death before they die, I believe that. At least, I heard it from Stan's music. He blew out his sorrow, his low cry, his love, his... Life......
The album is called "People Time", a double-CD.
Go find it and listen to it and get drunk with it.
Love,
CH
I just ran back from the rain outside, soaked.
Thought of writing to you before anything else.
I'm listening to the duo performance of Kenny Barron (piano) and Stan Getz (alto sax) right now. So deep... full of soul... Makes you wanna lay down and not standing up anymore...
It's the last album made by Stan Getz. Right after he did this live performance, he died.
People say some can foretell their death before they die, I believe that. At least, I heard it from Stan's music. He blew out his sorrow, his low cry, his love, his... Life......
The album is called "People Time", a double-CD.
Go find it and listen to it and get drunk with it.
Love,
CH
Meeting fellow Malaysian
I feel so content, meeting a fellow Malaysian HERE IN NEW YORK!
Believe it or not, I never had a single Malaysian friend since I got here to New York.
It's pathetic and unbelievable I know, but that's how it is here.
One might ask me: What about them bitchin' Malaysian restaurants in town?
But I'm sorry, how am I suppose to get to know a waiter or waitress serving food, thinking about money and don't give a shit anything else in life, not even his/her own country?
Speaking of which, I thought of a mad story happened the other day.
It was August 30th here (already 31st back home), the eve of our Merdeka Day ("Merdeka" means "Independence" in Malay language). I went in to my favourite Chinese restaurant to ask the people if there's any Merdeka celebrations among our community. This one guy --- I CAN NEVER FORGET HIS FACE!! --- was looking at me like I'm a Martian or something and said, "Oh... that... no lah! We don't celebrate our National Day. US National Day we will celebrate!" I almost gave him a punch on this "fellow Malaysian"'s face. Motherfucker, no self-respect! He responded like a total stranger to the National Day of Malaysia, makes me sick!
Anyway, back to the topic. This guy I met is a piano performance PhD student in Juilliard, Nick Ong. Cool guy, looks so young, but never realize he's even older than my buddy Chong Lim! Wow!
Had a Sichuan dinner with him, some really spicy shit. Thus, I shat spicy too. hehe...
I've seen this guy playing the Liszt piano concerto no.1 with the National Symphony of Malaysia --- oh yeah, I was playing in there. Man, he's a motherfucker man, he can play like nobody's business!!! And now this dude told me that we should play together, you can imagine how fuckin' happy I am.
Nick also told me that he had never been home for 6 years... damn... I can't imagine myself staying outside for six years without them Malaysian food ...
If you are wondering what's so fuckin' special Malaysian food, just walk in to one of the Malaysian restaurants in town, and try ANY dish in the menu. Otherwise, you can ask Jeremy mah brotha. He will tell you how wonderful it is. Know why? Cuz he's a Malaysian now! That triggers another story...
While in LA, Ken and me brought our white boy Jeremy to a South East Asian restaurant, Noodle Planet in Westwood. They have like one of the best food down there. Jeremy had a Hainanese chicken rice there before and was diggin' it, so he didn't even think before he decided to go back.
OK, so there we were, two Chinese-Malaysians and one American dude. We started to recommend food on the menu and shit, and then suddenly we found out there's a special dish called "Durian with Sticky Rice". Ken and I, our eyes were like shining bright right away! (Durian is a kind of spiky fruit that only grows in South East Asian countries. The content is soft and slimy, the smell is too sweet for some people it stinks.) We wanted to order that shit, but we were worried that Jeremy can't take it.
So we asked him, "Dude, we gonna challenge you with somethin'. If you passed this test, you'll be officially accepted in the Malaysian gang. Are you willing to accept it?" He said, "Yeah man, I'm open to try", with his easy-goin', not-the-end-of-the-world tone.
Thus the dish came, we wanted him to try the DURIAN ONLY. So he had a small piece and put it in his mouth and bit it and ate that shit. Ken and I were watching his facial expression intensely, hoping to see some disgusted expressions.
But hell no! He didn't! He didn't show that typical look when Western people tried durians!! Then he said, "Why, I would say this is pretty good actually, I like it!"
We were both amazed like some kinda motherfucker and couldn't believe it.
So he's in. He's a Malaysian now.
Believe it or not, I never had a single Malaysian friend since I got here to New York.
It's pathetic and unbelievable I know, but that's how it is here.
One might ask me: What about them bitchin' Malaysian restaurants in town?
But I'm sorry, how am I suppose to get to know a waiter or waitress serving food, thinking about money and don't give a shit anything else in life, not even his/her own country?
Speaking of which, I thought of a mad story happened the other day.
It was August 30th here (already 31st back home), the eve of our Merdeka Day ("Merdeka" means "Independence" in Malay language). I went in to my favourite Chinese restaurant to ask the people if there's any Merdeka celebrations among our community. This one guy --- I CAN NEVER FORGET HIS FACE!! --- was looking at me like I'm a Martian or something and said, "Oh... that... no lah! We don't celebrate our National Day. US National Day we will celebrate!" I almost gave him a punch on this "fellow Malaysian"'s face. Motherfucker, no self-respect! He responded like a total stranger to the National Day of Malaysia, makes me sick!
Anyway, back to the topic. This guy I met is a piano performance PhD student in Juilliard, Nick Ong. Cool guy, looks so young, but never realize he's even older than my buddy Chong Lim! Wow!
Had a Sichuan dinner with him, some really spicy shit. Thus, I shat spicy too. hehe...
I've seen this guy playing the Liszt piano concerto no.1 with the National Symphony of Malaysia --- oh yeah, I was playing in there. Man, he's a motherfucker man, he can play like nobody's business!!! And now this dude told me that we should play together, you can imagine how fuckin' happy I am.
Nick also told me that he had never been home for 6 years... damn... I can't imagine myself staying outside for six years without them Malaysian food ...
If you are wondering what's so fuckin' special Malaysian food, just walk in to one of the Malaysian restaurants in town, and try ANY dish in the menu. Otherwise, you can ask Jeremy mah brotha. He will tell you how wonderful it is. Know why? Cuz he's a Malaysian now! That triggers another story...
While in LA, Ken and me brought our white boy Jeremy to a South East Asian restaurant, Noodle Planet in Westwood. They have like one of the best food down there. Jeremy had a Hainanese chicken rice there before and was diggin' it, so he didn't even think before he decided to go back.
OK, so there we were, two Chinese-Malaysians and one American dude. We started to recommend food on the menu and shit, and then suddenly we found out there's a special dish called "Durian with Sticky Rice". Ken and I, our eyes were like shining bright right away! (Durian is a kind of spiky fruit that only grows in South East Asian countries. The content is soft and slimy, the smell is too sweet for some people it stinks.) We wanted to order that shit, but we were worried that Jeremy can't take it.
So we asked him, "Dude, we gonna challenge you with somethin'. If you passed this test, you'll be officially accepted in the Malaysian gang. Are you willing to accept it?" He said, "Yeah man, I'm open to try", with his easy-goin', not-the-end-of-the-world tone.
Thus the dish came, we wanted him to try the DURIAN ONLY. So he had a small piece and put it in his mouth and bit it and ate that shit. Ken and I were watching his facial expression intensely, hoping to see some disgusted expressions.
But hell no! He didn't! He didn't show that typical look when Western people tried durians!! Then he said, "Why, I would say this is pretty good actually, I like it!"
We were both amazed like some kinda motherfucker and couldn't believe it.
So he's in. He's a Malaysian now.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Starry Sky
No, it's not about New York. I'm sure most of you can foretell.
It's Stowe, Vermont.
I was walking outside the resort, with Jing, talking about our ex-girlfriends. It was dark.
I looked up at the sky, I see millions of blinking stars in the endless dark backdrop.
Yes, Stowe is such a place.
A place with no excessive lights from the ground ----- not even streetlights on the streets.
I see a river of stars, flowing through the quietness of the night. It washed my heart clean.
Yeah... it's really been a while since I saw a sight like this...
It's Stowe, Vermont.
I was walking outside the resort, with Jing, talking about our ex-girlfriends. It was dark.
I looked up at the sky, I see millions of blinking stars in the endless dark backdrop.
Yes, Stowe is such a place.
A place with no excessive lights from the ground ----- not even streetlights on the streets.
I see a river of stars, flowing through the quietness of the night. It washed my heart clean.
Yeah... it's really been a while since I saw a sight like this...
Friday, September 01, 2006
珍珠奶綠 / Lunch with A-chan
難以相信,回來了快兩個星期,昨晚才第一次去買珍珠奶綠來喝.
通常經過Flushing都會順道買一杯來喝,這一次確實有點一反常態.
連羊肉串也不例外. 我到現在為止,只吃過一串.
看來人真的是會變的.
x x x x x x x x x
Lunch with A-chan didn't happen.
I got her message this morning while I was still in the bed, she said she didn't sleep at all last night, so she needs to catch up with some sleep.
Oh well... Guess we all have our lives to live...
I'm glad enough that there are always some friends here and there. It's always good to have friends. They might seem distanced in usual days, but when something big happens, they're still the ones to go to.
Not the ones that WERE used to be close to you. No way. Those very close ones, once you part with them, they will never turn back...
通常經過Flushing都會順道買一杯來喝,這一次確實有點一反常態.
連羊肉串也不例外. 我到現在為止,只吃過一串.
看來人真的是會變的.
x x x x x x x x x
Lunch with A-chan didn't happen.
I got her message this morning while I was still in the bed, she said she didn't sleep at all last night, so she needs to catch up with some sleep.
Oh well... Guess we all have our lives to live...
I'm glad enough that there are always some friends here and there. It's always good to have friends. They might seem distanced in usual days, but when something big happens, they're still the ones to go to.
Not the ones that WERE used to be close to you. No way. Those very close ones, once you part with them, they will never turn back...
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