I am typing at the neighborhood internet cafe...so glad it is here as my laptop died. Not good timing...less than two weeks before we begin rehearsals for the new CD...the computer guy says all the info on my hard drive will be there when he fixes it...so glad. (of course I had most...MOST of it backed up anyways)

It really is nice to not have the computer in the house...feels a bit like a holiday although, I must get home and boot up the banjo...

The challenge continues...spending lots of family time each day the kids are home for the holidays while trying to get lots of work done too...possible but challenging.

Oh yah...breaking news; It was just confirmed that I will be on the "jazz writers" panel at IAJE about Jazz and the Internet. I think it is being moderated by Howard Mandel. That should be fun as he knows his stuff and is a great guy. (check out his new book on Cecil, Miles and Ornette!!)

Saturday January 12 at noon (see the IAJE website for details)

Hopefully that will give us all time for a bit of lunch before our 3pm show at the Constellation Ballroom at the Royal York Hotel.

tim
416 530-0688 (old school baby...I am not getting my email right now!)

Hi Folks,

happy Holidays! If you are one of those people who always wanted to improvise but didn't know where to start or your were curious about the difference between Jazz and Improvised music or you are just looking for some fun folks to jam with, please check out my pal Victor Bateman's improv workshop below:
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Creative Improvisation Workshops
Led by Victor Bateman

Four 3-hour sessions, starting Monday January 7th,
running each Monday in January, from 7 to 10p.m.
Recital February 4th at 8pm.

The focus of the workshop is to encourage musicians to experience the combination of latitude and discipline that distinguishes free improvisation, and to provide them with information about the resources available to them as improvisors. Emphasis is placed on the development of listening skills through playing and the material covered considers music in a comprehensive manner. Open to musicians of all levels and backgrounds, the workshop gives a clearer understanding of the process and a greater appreciation of the art of improvisation.

The workshop is organized into four 3-hour sessions, which culminate in a hour-long recital. The recital is professionally recorded, and copies made available to participants.

Participation is open to musicians at all levels. You should plan on attending all four sessions and playing the recital. Cost is $100 per person. All sessions and recital will be held at Somewhere There, 340 Dufferin St., Toronto.

To register, or for more information, Contact:
Victor Bateman- tel: 416-534-7918
email- v.bateman@sympatico.ca

Presented in affiliation with the Association of Improvising Musicians, Toronto.

I would like to wish all the friends (and even the complete strangers...here's hoping you drop me a line to say hi in the New Year!) who read my blog a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Really, I just hope you are with someone or lots of people who you love and who love you back.
I am fortunate to be at home with my wife and kids this year and we are reminded in many ways how fortunate we really are.

Unfortunately, I have a lot of work to do over what people refer to as the holidays. I know, again...I am very fortunate that my work is making music but even knowing that, sometimes I would really would rather be drinking an eggnog with the rest of the gang upstairs.

Having the kids home from school fulltime and having much music on my mind and on my plate has got me thinking about the paradox of raising kids as an artist again.

An artist is often quite selfish for a large part of their waking hours. I know there is room for debate on this one (but I have work to do!) But, there is not much room for debate that a parent must be selfless for a big chunk of their children's lives.

Striking the balance between these two is remarkably challenging. I found it a bit amusing today how grumpy I was as I was trying to partake in whatever activites we had going in the house but my mind was on my new music, my banjo the details of the upcoming concert etc. Then, I picked up my banjo for a few minutes while my boys played some hotwheels around my feet and my mood changed instantly.

Perhaps I will pickup this topic again later when I have more time (feels like that will never happen again).

I am a lucky guy, just very confused during these holiday times.

Joyeaux Noel,
tim posgate