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What a day! Woke up in the trailer on a hill, Pammy rolling halfway to PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). A light knocking on the door, and young Matt with a sign that said: French toast...didn't take us long to rouse and hit the kitchen. A great breakfast had us feeling pretty optimistic about the day. The grim news on the TV was startling, but we were thankful that our travel plans were more rustic than the airport.
We needed a plan, after a long discussion (you know, democracy is not neccesarily the best way to run a band but thought I'd try it). We decided to check out USC, where Gabe goes to school and I teach. Even though school isn't in session, we were hoping for freshmen orientation, early arrivals, old friends, anything. We went and hung out by the Commons and played a set.
While some of the people passing by hung out, it was amazing how invisible we were to most of them. I mean, how often is is that you pass a western swing/bebop band playing their heart out actually living off the whole experience? And I know you can feel it when you see and hear it. Now I don't expect everyone to love it...or help out, but an acknowledgement (a nod, eye contact, pulling those ear buds out of your ears) makes more difference than you can imaigine. Sometimes it is hard to keep the whole thing in perspective, that and the pressure of keeping everyone on the same page...not to mention fed.
It all went right when Mikey did a special solo on the bells of a local vendor's pushcart, and he played the box at the same time! ding ding!
After an hour or so, and running into some friends, we got the most polite eviction I ever experienced (polite eviction, not two words you commonly hear tied to each other). It went like this:
MR X: You can't play amplified music here
Noah (in the most diplomatic, respectful and peaceful tone you ever heard come out of a teenager's mouth, he's very well-trained): We are playing acoustic, we aren't plugged in
MR X: I meant no drums
Noah: He's playing a box!
MR X (exasperated): You're playing outside the Vice President's office...
At that point I jumped in and explained that I'm on staff....blah, blah, blah, we actually knew many people in common,so, everything was hunky-dory, and it was time to split anyway. After that, we returned to the beach area, got the trailer (we'd left it behind) and headed to a where else? A wine bar.
Monique had this all taken care of...thanks Monique
The wine bar was fun, we played to a big crowd, Pammy was so inspired she took up the bass...nice try!! Hey we did well enough to fill the tank ...no, not with Bordeaux, Hank drinks a cruder vintage
Getting late now, got to get ready to blow this 20 million horse town. Was lots of fun, but now we're all looking forward to the open road. Hope it's cooler tomorrow, temperature I mean. Swing on folks, and please, remember why we are doing this. Your help (a pledge to JazzMasters Workshop) will go along way to ensure that kids get the opportunity to play with established pros, and it's a method that has over 100 years of success.
See you somewhere soon I hope, reservoir!
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| Posted by Bruce Forman at | | | |
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First thing a.m. (all right, around 10:30) we tried to get back on the tee at Aliso Creek and play some more, but the golfers weren't going for it. Hey man, let us play through!
Back to reality. I'll admit it's been a while since our last trip down Route 66, so I was rusty when it came to the 'instant hits'. I tried to teach the others how to spot a likely place: plenty of people, ample space to play, no TV or loud music, and most corporate-owned places have rules about that kind of stuff (yikes) and we need to talk to someone who can say yes or no. Well, we tried a few, no luck, and frankly I thought I'd lost my touch and was a more than a bit concerned. I know they say inflation is under control, but try and buy breakfast for five, and look at the price of gas (although we don't need it yet). OK, I was worried. But alas, we moved into Palos Verdes and found a cute place called Kelly's Corner, an old post office, deli and tack store (nice combo, tailor-made for Cow Bop), and I talked them into a set.
Lots of people went by and stopped to hang out with us. They threw down enough to replenish our stash, I could feel it, the magic was back! We even got some horse-ridin youngsters to sit in on the box...swingin,
This cardboard box-drum thing is a bit of a signature for the band, I think Mikey is working on an endorsement (all you beer companies need to send samples if you're interested, he requested that they arrive full so he can road test them all). Kelly's treated us to the tastiest root beer floats I think I ever came across, of course the heat and humidity might have had something to do with my opinion. We played at a party in Andy Patman's backyard, lots of supportive folks contributed to the fun and the program. Andy & Kathy set a splendid table and the merriment flowed freely into the late evening. Don & Sue Miller showed up all the way from Phoenix, they run the Paradise Valley Jazz Party (and how I met Andy & Kathy in the first place) it was really great to see them. The band is picking it up a notch, just goes to show when you hit the road and live for playing (in this case literally) it takes the level of commitment to a higher level and effects the music in great ways. Music, live in front of folks makes it all work and the JazzMasters Workshop method was in full view...just play man! I know we have some converts and I hope we can set something up in this area, Tomorrow is an empty canvass, but I'm sure we'll be fillin it up with lots of swingin grooves and plenty of eighth notes. In any case, it'll be in the moment, which is where I hope all of you are, it's a wonderful world out here, come on out and join us. PS> Any ideas of places to visit or play along Highway 1 (use the tracker to find us) are extremely welcome, just comment to the blog or email from the site, I'll get it. The trailer awaits, I bid you all fondue
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| Posted by Bruce Forman at | | | |
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Off to a rousing start! We found the beginning of highway 1 and went to the Dana Point Harbor to get our feet wet playing in the Pacific Ocean, sure glad we were unplugged. Hey, we've only started and it seems like 'On the Edge' has become 'over the edge'!
Then, of course we had the ceremonial surrendering of personal cash, one more explanation of the rules: we live on the first hundred and what we earn by impromptu gigs, any pre-set gigs funds go to the program, no exceptions! If we got to starve, sleep in the truck, or walk, that's the blues! After all the protestations and denying strange--but creative--loopholes that were argued at length (had me thinking it was LawyerMasters), I pulled out the road stake, this time supplied by our great friends and supporters Bob & Lisa. Some of us are a little more comfortable with the whole idea, the new recruits are gonna have to work into it. Five mouths to feed and gas prices going through the roof ought to make it a whole lot more challenging, so it means a lot more playing, I'm way down for that!
Headed north to Laguna, had a date with about a hundred little kids, a JazzMasters Workshop site at the Boys & Girls Club in Laguna Beach. It's been going for about three years, headed by Luther Hughes. We showed up and it turns out it was 'cowboy' day, what are the chances of that happenin? So, we set up in the gym and played for all the kids, not only the ones who play in the workshop. Of course, after a good set with plenty of encouragment and some tunes I explained what we were doing and why. They were just like all the adults we meet: 'you guys are crazy'
Naturally, in the spririt of JazzMasters we got some up to play, Denise rode the drums with a little help from Mikey:
and Ebag gave a bass clinic:
all in all, you can't ask for a better audience, the future of our music!!
We played an evening concert at Aliso Creek Resort, what a beautiful place, our stage was the first tee, perched high above the golf course, the backdrop a lushly palm and scrub populated desert beach cliffside, the creek meandering slowly back into the canyon as deer munched quietly on the dewy grass, not at all bothered by Cow Bop's syncopated gait.
Monique worked the crowd and let us concentrate on playing, telling our story and hangin with the great people who came out to hear us. The resort is putting us up, man, I hope the new guys don't get too used to this we are gonna be roughing it before they know it. Oh well, enjoy it while it lasts, eh? Ended the evening with a jam in the bar until they closed it down. Can't wait to hear what tomorrow brings. See you down the trail. Got a big day ahead, chow...
Quote of the Day: "Cow Bop, where great old tunes go to die" (you had to have been there I guess)
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| Posted by Bruce Forman at | | | |
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What a first day!!! For not even having ‘officially’ started, we are spurring the band into a hard gallop. The gig at the Crowne was spirited, we had Roger Kellaway sitting in riding the piano, man he swung us into some new spots along the trail. David Jackson came and hung, sang, played and brought his special brand of general jollification. Noah and Gabe--the youngsters--held in there, taught us a couple of things and I look forward to what we get into as the groove deepens.
We arrived in Long Bach last night a bit harried, a long drive from Big Sur, and if you haven’t navigated a trailer through LA freeway traffic, then I suggest you leave it to others. One thinbg I leanrnedl: Don’t use your turn signals, now I know the guy who taught me in traffic school is cringing, might even want the diploma back, but hey, when you use those things down here, all it does is give the other drivers the idea that you’re on to something, and they race to fill it in before you do. I’m serious!!!
We got to the hotel and all the parking spaces were full so with a team effort we disconnected and wrestled Dinah into a small area next to the ice machine…ha, the usual road grind. I got up early to do an interview at KKJZ, it was a lot of fun, once the coffee kicked in.
We downsized temporarily, leaving the trailer behind at Luther ughesHHuuHughes’ (JMW Regional Director, LA), we had rooms for this gig, thanks Merle Kreibich of In-House Music. It’ll be nice to sleep in a cushy bed…sort of fattening us up for who knows what?
Monique Bourin, (JMW Events Coordinator, Spiritual Guru and Mercantile Consultant) has come down, says she’s in for the whole trip…we certainly hope so. She makes it possible to keeps everything together, is a positive spirit and makes a big difference in so many ways. What did we do without her?
Tomorrow is the ‘official’ start date, I hope the guys don’t put up too much of a fight when I ask for their money stash…hey, I’ll give it back!!
Of course the real reason we’re doing this, to ensure that the living legacy of music and playing is treasured and protected. Our workshops have proven how important and effective the mere act of sharing your passion for life and art can make for a young life, and I ask all of you to consider supporting us with a contribution so that we can continue to do these trips and expand the workshops.
Until then, keep a swingin…or better yet, come down and caravan along, I’ll do my best to leave that tracker on.
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| Posted by Bruce Forman at | | | |
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Getting ready to hitch up the trailer and head south. A bit of a change was made in the plans: due to an interview at KKJZ in Long Beach and our Kick-Off party in LA at the Crowne Plaza LAX, we have decided to depart from Dana Point (the southern terminus of Highway 1) on Tuesday. A lot of excitement is generated by the fact that we have a great gig on the deck at Big Sur River Inn on the way down and that Roger Kellaway, star of the piano, is gonna hang at the gig Monday night.
Just looking forward to meeting new people (sometimes very out of the ordinary, as witnessed by Duane Lee, who we met at an arch bridge on Route 66 in Kansas, that's his invention I'm playing, the 'panjo') 
or see some truly historic American icons (such as the world's largest ketchup bottle in Collinsville, IL)
Never know what you'll come across out there, I highly suggest you come along for a piece of it. Use the 'band tracker' to find us. Until then, swing on, and remember a pledge--no matter how small--ensures that kids get a chance to play with the great musicians in their community and really makes us feel like our efforts are duly rewarded.
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| Posted by Bruce Forman at | | | |
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well, here we go again folks. i must admit, this one has some extra baggage attached (not including the extra person, past trips were a quartet). going through home territory, getting a chance to visit friends and programs, taking a trailer along (now i know some of you think it might be a bit cushy for a challenge but let me remind you that it makes mobility tougher, increases the gas factor-- and let’s be frank <what instrument does he play?> did we ever think that filling the tank would be more than a room?) it also means the five of us are cramped into my pickup truck, so those who might want to accuse us of luxuriating while all of you are at home or on your summer vacation, I suggest you come along for a day or two…ha.
we go to the first going away party this afternoon, a chance to stuff our bellies’ and find out how many people are glad to get rid of us, of course food and wine sort of tilts the whole quotient. we also do our first packing and unpacking dry run, for our route 66 trips this was done in Chicago, so this time if we jettison cargo we won’t have to pawn it.
now would be a good time to introduce the cast of characters:
I’m Bruce Forman, leader of this aggravation called Cow Bop and founder of JazzMasters Workshop (JMW), the program we are supporting through this madness, tour narrator..oh yeah, I also play the guitar
PintoPammy is our vocalist, band aesthetic, and photojournalist
Mike McKinley is riding the drums (never seen him bucked off once!) he is also Regional Director for JMW, he runs four or five workshops a week
Gabe Noel is our bass player, a new recruit, fresh from USC where he is still in school, awesome young player, he’ll teach us a few things
Noah Freedman, fiddle, soon to enter 11th grade at Carmel High, a JMW participant for the last few years, multi-talented, plays all styles, he’ll be in charge of technology and podcasting. He’s also an astro-physicist, but we already knew there were violinists in outer space.
Monique Bourin is events coordinator for JMW, she’ll caravan along, be our advance person and probably bail us out of jail if we stray in that direction. at least I hpe she will…please!!!
Hank is our pickup truck, part Hank Williams part Hank Mobley, down home, soulful, tasty and swingin
Dinah is our trailer, she’s a 53 Westerner
gotta go now, i’ll let you know how the shin digs…chow
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| Posted by Bruce Forman at | | | |
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| Posted by Bruce Forman at | | | |
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