November already?
So much has happened since the last entry.
Last week I rehearsed with and played with Pop Latin Diva Gloria Trevi for the second time. We did a sold out show in a huge West Hollywood venue with thousands of screaming fans. It was pretty crazy. People would sing entire songs thru from top to bottom and be louder than 100's of thousands of watts of club power. She is really huge in the Latin Market, and there's another white, non-Spanish speaking dude playing sax. I really wish I had a few languages under my belt.
Well, from Gloria to the Temecula Jazz Festival. I was in the house band Saturday night and played with Sax Legend Ronnie Laws and the old singer from Ambrosia, David Pack. Working with Ronnie is pretty cool. I knew all his set already because his music is that cool. I was thinking a sax player in the house band would not see much action, but Ronnie had me playing a lot. It was very cool to share the stage with him again. Last time was about 8 years ago and then about 8 years before that we were on a road gig together.
David Pack is really an amazing musician. His set covered 3 decades of hits and many great opportunities to blow. I brought everything out for his set, with Sop, Alto, Ten, Bari, Flute, full electronics and sound. The show was great!
From Temecula Jazz to Saddleback Church Sunday morning - Weekend guest was the Back Street Boys', Brian Littrell. Young girls and camera's flashing marked a slightly different start to the services Sunday morning. Some of these young girls I saw at every service - 4 in total on Sunday. It was within 48 hours and there was already posts on You Tube. Brian sang pretty good, but the funny thing was the dang Guitar he held while he sang. Can anyone say Elvis?
As a musician, I love the variety. This started on Wednesday with my oldies club gig, Thursday jazz gig with my jazz quartet that just killed it, the instrumental rock band rehearsals, Latin Diva gig, all star jazz festival with Ronnie Laws and a pop icon, David Pack, boy band hero from a #1 band, and a week is done. If you are only as good as your last gig, I was pretty good for a minute.
SO... In 1 week I added some bigger names to the Who's Who list. The important thing was the money. A week that has that little sleep in it really needs to pay well and this week paid well. Yeah!
Monday was, and then Tuesday too - major recovery days. Club dates have been coming in very last minute; 3 last week. Rehearsals and gigs really cut in to my work schedule. What's that? Shannon's CD needs to get finished. I have 3 more songs done since the last post but more to do and little loose ends to finish too.
I'm out of time for right now. Gotta get to rehearsal - Adam Watts Band is leading and featured at Saddleback Church this weekend and I am on Sax for the services.
Peace out...
SAXBOY
Greg Vail
Last week I rehearsed with and played with Pop Latin Diva Gloria Trevi for the second time. We did a sold out show in a huge West Hollywood venue with thousands of screaming fans. It was pretty crazy. People would sing entire songs thru from top to bottom and be louder than 100's of thousands of watts of club power. She is really huge in the Latin Market, and there's another white, non-Spanish speaking dude playing sax. I really wish I had a few languages under my belt.
Well, from Gloria to the Temecula Jazz Festival. I was in the house band Saturday night and played with Sax Legend Ronnie Laws and the old singer from Ambrosia, David Pack. Working with Ronnie is pretty cool. I knew all his set already because his music is that cool. I was thinking a sax player in the house band would not see much action, but Ronnie had me playing a lot. It was very cool to share the stage with him again. Last time was about 8 years ago and then about 8 years before that we were on a road gig together.
David Pack is really an amazing musician. His set covered 3 decades of hits and many great opportunities to blow. I brought everything out for his set, with Sop, Alto, Ten, Bari, Flute, full electronics and sound. The show was great!
From Temecula Jazz to Saddleback Church Sunday morning - Weekend guest was the Back Street Boys', Brian Littrell. Young girls and camera's flashing marked a slightly different start to the services Sunday morning. Some of these young girls I saw at every service - 4 in total on Sunday. It was within 48 hours and there was already posts on You Tube. Brian sang pretty good, but the funny thing was the dang Guitar he held while he sang. Can anyone say Elvis?
As a musician, I love the variety. This started on Wednesday with my oldies club gig, Thursday jazz gig with my jazz quartet that just killed it, the instrumental rock band rehearsals, Latin Diva gig, all star jazz festival with Ronnie Laws and a pop icon, David Pack, boy band hero from a #1 band, and a week is done. If you are only as good as your last gig, I was pretty good for a minute.
SO... In 1 week I added some bigger names to the Who's Who list. The important thing was the money. A week that has that little sleep in it really needs to pay well and this week paid well. Yeah!
Monday was, and then Tuesday too - major recovery days. Club dates have been coming in very last minute; 3 last week. Rehearsals and gigs really cut in to my work schedule. What's that? Shannon's CD needs to get finished. I have 3 more songs done since the last post but more to do and little loose ends to finish too.
I'm out of time for right now. Gotta get to rehearsal - Adam Watts Band is leading and featured at Saddleback Church this weekend and I am on Sax for the services.
Peace out...
SAXBOY
Greg Vail
i think you are bragging a little. ego.
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I guess any mention of good or cooler gigs could be called bragging. I will not edit or delete a less than positive post here.
I do think that 'opinions' are invalidated when thrown out as Anonymous.
If your thoughts are worthy of posting and being read, they really should not be a blind slap in the dark.
Anyone can do that.
SAXBOY
GREG VAIL
My opinion....
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I dont see how it is bragging mentioning that one is appreciative of getting a lot of playing time when your not expecting it. I see nothing here that sounds like bragging.Saying that your as good as your last gig and he was very good for a minute sounds more like being humble to me. The whole point to this blog is to find out what's going on. If you dont want to know, dont read it.
Greg, keep smiling. Jealousy abounds, prayer works.
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