Project Fourthstream video on YouTube

I recently posted an excerpt from one of our Project FourthStream concerts. What? You haven't heard Project FourthStream?! Well, here is a sample and you can always check up on us at our website: www.fourthstream.net.

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Ernie Adams Worldtet

Mar 30th and 31st I'll be performing at the Velvet Lounge with percussionist/drummer phenom Ernie Adams. Ernie and I have been talking about this project for a while and we're so pleased it's finally coming to life! Joining us will be a cast of creative musicians from Chicago: James Sanders (violin), Zvonmir Tot (guitar), Dale Prasco (guitar) and Josh Ramos (bass).

I'll be debuting my "new" vintage tenor and soprano saxophones. I'm letting my trusty (and much beloved) Selmer Mk VI tenor take a rest. For some reason, I'm really enjoying playing two Conn saxophones I recently acquired: a 1926 tenor and a 1927 soprano. I'm really digging the sound quality of these horns and as a result the music that comes out my horns has changed a bit too. I'll also be playing bass clarinet and assorted flutes (especially alto flute).

As always, I'll keep posting details about this project. Hopefully we'll get some video snippets I can post and share with you.

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Larry Price Quartet

Last Saturday, I played with the Larry Price Quartet in La Crosse. Larry's a fine pianist, Rich MacDonal is a powerhouse drummer with a really wonderful musical sensibility and Eric Graham is a chop monster of a bass player.

In fact, here we are:



We'll be playing at the La Crosse Jazz Festival later in the summer - in August. Stay tuned and I'll post details about that project as we get closer to the date!

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artisanal economics - part II

I a previous post I wrote a bit about a new-ish concept to me: artisanal economics. Call them "cottage industry," "entrepreneurial projects," "startups," or "some guy selling his wares out of the trunk of his car..." - whatever the name there's a great creative spirit in this idea.

Especially for artists. The closer we can get to our audience the better off we'll all be. Or at least I think so.

It does create a challenge for those of us dealing with a digital medium. Musicians, of course, have live audiences with which to connect. But most of our work is enjoyed via recordings. And the possession of these is often seemed to be just another item on one's iPod (or similar device).

I received an e-mail recently from a fan. I was extremely pleased to know my music was being enjoyed in a land so far from my home turf. However, I also found it interesting that he told me quite openly that he found my music because it was left on a used iPod he purchased. In a strict sense, my music should have been deleted from the device. But, at this point in my career, I'm far more interested in getting my music out in the world as far as I can. So, just this once I'll let it slide. ;-)

The point of this post is just to work out a few of my own feelings around this whole DRM issue. Who among can actually afford to actually enforce fair usage of our work? Even the majors have been unable to do it. So, why bother? Well, there's that utopian ideal of musicians actually making a living from their art. That would be nice. Until then, I guess we'll have to rely of alternative means of income to support our "musical habit."

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