Category Archives: Happenings
A Merry Murray Meditation
OK, I just sat through all 56 minutes of Bill Murray’s Christmas special on Netflix. Where’s my medal? Just kidding. To be honest, I enjoyed it. And I bet there’s not a lot of people who will be able to make that claim. I think the answer to knowing whether you are one of them happens …
Coming This Fall!
It’s that time of year again! Get set for: America’s Got No Concept of Talent–The latest crop of self-immolating yodelers eagerly ignite themselves for your viewing pleasure. New rule for this season: only one winner from each district will be permitted. This year’s Celebrity Judges include David Lee Roth, Vlad the Impaler, and Snooki. Sponsored by …
Are we not men? You be the judge.
I went to a DEVO concert last night. I had seen them once before, but it was 35 years ago. Gee, I wonder if they had changed. Sure. A couple of their guys had died. And the loss of Bob2 was a particularly heavy blow. But aside from all that, how was it? First of all, …
The Night Has 1,000 Eyes. Mostly Red.
Last night, I performed with legendary pianist/bon vivant/local treasure James Polk’s Centerpeace sextet at the Elephant Room. During one number, we had a surprise guest appearance by none other than ZZ Tap. No, not ZZ Top. We don’t let them into the Elephant Room. I said ZZ Tap, which is the stage name for tap …
Herding Cats for Fun, Not So Much Profit
Best thing about being leader of a professional jazz ensemble: the players are all accomplished enough to make their own musical decisions. Worst thing about being the leader of a professional jazz ensemble: same thing. But if you’re an easygoing guy like me <hey, quitcher laughing over there>, that’s not the worst thing in …
Time to pay the PIPA
Hi there! I don’t exist, actually. Back in June of last year, I was asked to attend a meeting in San Antonio at the office of Rep. Lamar Smith, the author of the infamous SOPA bill that he recently withdrew in a hailstorm of negative public opinion. At the time, I was serving on …
Dead, from New York!
Years ago, in an early season of Saturday Night Live, there was a phony ad for a concert featuring Elvis Presley’s coat. ‘The King’ himself had recently passed away, but the announcer cheerfully invited folks out to see the coat that started it all. Like a lot of early SNL, it was irreverent, tasteless, and …
Zappa Preys Zappa
Last night was a great musical treat in our fair city–the return of Return to Forever. This edition was not the original edition that appeared at the Paramount Theater two years ago, but an all-star lineup nonetheless–the nucleus of Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Lenny White were joined by Jean-Luc Ponty and Frank Gambale in …
Doing, Being, Creating, Becoming
Today I attended a press conference at Austin City Hall that brought together a handful of heavyweights–Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, City Manager Marc Ott, Austin ISD Superintendent Mariah Carstarphen, MindPop Executive Director Brent Hasty, and Darrell Ayers of the Kennedy Center–all assembled to announce that Austin is the seventh and newest partner city in the …
saxsalon 