Half moon day! Left home, got everyone in the truck, the trailer attached and hit it...only an hour or so later than planned. We headed to our pre-arranged hit at the Green Valley Grill, hey, lunch is enough to get us serious about now. We went in and had to elevator it up to the restaurant, so we decided to try our hand at elevator music, good acoustics in there! (check out the blog for a play by play on that one). The door entered into a nice lobby that led to a fine eating establishment. It's strange, an elevator is like a transporter, you never know what reality or plane you will encounter when the doors open. I'm sure the people in the grill were more taken aback than us, although I'll bet they heard us coming.

We played in the restaurant before settling into our normal spot, the bar. There, we hung, played a bunch of tunes, told stories and were treated to a nice bounty of food and drink. Alot of fun, but just like always we knew we had to move on, although I think all of us could have just kept playing there, after all, as long as we're playing,all is OK and the world is comfortably rotating on the proper axis.

We met up with our pal Stan in Santa Cruz (after the first close call in the truck: a stall on the left, a downed tree on the right, in the middle of Santa Cruz traffic, got kind of gnarly, but the team of Dinah and Hank performed well. Stan took a bunch of video of us playing on the street in S.C., he said he was submitting it to KSBW, the local station on the Monterey Peninsula, I hope they aired it. I mean it's not your everyday story...what do we got to do to get everyone's attention here? And to throw down the gauntlet: do we care about the kids, can we support the cultural legacy and generational exchange that is the hallmark of our civilization. I know it sounds lofty, but think about it, it is how we have advanced and nurtured our species since recorded history, the people that have the knowledge share it with the upcoming generation, that is JazzMasters Workshop's core belief. (Sorry if I went too far there, but hey we're out living and playing on the street, I figure I have a 'get out of jail card' on that one?!)

Santa Cruz is an interesting town, unlike most others and a lot of fun. Walking down the street with my guitar and the rest of the band I was warned in no uncertain terms by some interesting (read eccentric) characters that I was entering their territory and I should keep moving. OK, the code of the busker, I can relate to that, but man, do more than smoke something, play!

Then to Half Moon Bay and the gig that we'd set up in advance. Those hits are nice, something to look forward to, and of course we can usually depend on a meal and some friendly faces. We played at Cetrella's a beautifully designed restaurant that was made out of an old grower's exchange for the local farmers--who still supply everything  from pumpkins and flowers to fruit and veggies--and what a job they've done, a really beautiful place. We played in the bar (where else? For Noah's mom: there were other kids in there and food was served) where many of the great players of the Bay Area work on weekends. We set up acoustic, Mikey playing the box and did our Cow Bop thing.
It It was a bit of a shock to some but they received it with open arms...hey, you never know. My mom and nephew made a surprise appearance always great to have family around, I just wish I'd gotten a picture of them for you. Oh well, maybe they'll be at the hang tomorrow.

Our friends from Dana St. Brewing Co, in Mountain View made their way over the hill to visit and brought provisions: coffee, chocolate chip cookies and chocolate-covered coffee beans, we'll be awake for the rest of the trip that's for sure. Armelle sat in for a couple of tunes...very nice!!


The gig was put together by Harold Fethe, JMW Board member and guitarist who graced us with his playing for the night. He played his Rodeo Girl Guitar, a nice compliment to the sound of my baby: Ruby.



Noah wowed everyone and is sitting deeper in the pocket with every passing day. Mike Lyons, one of our founding Board members was there as well, a real JMW turnout. Thanks guys, without you nothing would ever happen. I, the other mentors and the kids are filled with gratitude for your vision, expertise guidance and caring commitment to the mission of the organization. And Harold, once you go Cow Bop you can't go back, now that you've made two gigs you're in, might as well swing with it. I think we can fit you in the truck somewhere.

Well folks, early lobby call, wonder what'll happen tomorrow..stay tuned.