My important ambassadorial duties for the Chapman Stick continue is steamy Singapore. Promise I won't post much more
New venue last night called The Artistry Space. Same core group of Jazz guys ( & girls) there as the other place last week . So I guess one benefit of this instrument is you walk in and it goes along the lines of " oh cool , you're back, these guys haven't seen it yet." etc etc .
Being a soloist primarily ( but not for much longer at this rate ) I stuck to the two things I know I can hold together & improvise with in a band setting. All different players this week, Girl on keys, 3 guys on Bass, Drums & guitar. Off we went , I started , went round a few times as the locked in and got going . I felt like the ultimate" amateur" band leader giving each the nod for their solo
Did this for two pieces, each went for nearly 10 minutes I guess.
This is seriously the best fun I've ever had and changed my outlook somewhat on how I can use the Stick and expand opportunities. One thing I have really enjoyed is the real time spontaneity of playing like this. I felt conscious of not doing the same thing too many times and enjoyed thinking ahead ahead a bit with the right hand about where to go and how to mix it up.
The players were fantastic when the " house band "were on, inspiring to watch their totally fluid grasp of music, pouring out of them like a seamless torrent. An American visiting from Japan was the standout for me going crazy on a clarinet.
So thats 5 down , should get a few more in I expect. Picture of a super satisfied Bruce attached from last night, none on stage unfortunately though there probably are some since Asia is a place where everyone has a smartphone permanently attached to their hand. Saw lots of filming going on.
Over & Out. Good news is we're keeping the ship at this dockyard for a few extra days which is not that far from town, operational gods assisting my mission.........