I haven’t written a blog in quite some time. I was motivated to write about the “Now Tour” and road trip. Our first leg of the trip was a six hour drive to Sedona, AZ, our old hometown. It was a pretty smooth trip except for almost getting accordioned by two semis at the NM, AZ border. I won’t go into the details, but it was a heart thumper. Fortunately, we survived without a scratch.
Our stay in Sedona was a whirlwind of meeting up with friends, parties, tennis, hiking and music! Our week ended with one of the most fun trio concerts I have ever had the good fortune to perform. It was at Sound Bites Grill. The piano was tuned the day before the concert. Blake, the sound guy, did a great job, and Troy Perkins, bass and Eddy Barattini, drums propelled the music to new heights for me. So much fun. It was a full house and the crowd loved it.
The Sound Bites trio concert in Sedona might be some of the best music I have ever performed live in the 57 years I have been a professional musician! Definitely the most fun I have ever had playing piano. I just reviewed some videos of the evening and it wasn’t just my imagination.
Here’s a live trio version of “Green Chiles” on YouTube
Sound Bites Grill is a venue without an outstanding red rock view. If you go to Sedona, don’t miss the music and food at this place.
Cathedral Rock, Sedona, AZ
Our good friends, Rolf, Edith, Tony and Betty in Sedona.
From Sedona, we drove to Fallbrook, CA, “the avocado capital of the world”. We booked a four day stay at an airbnb that was called a treehouse. It had an outstanding view and it was walking distance to the town of Fallbrook.
Here’s a view from the treehouse.
The treehouse was also about ten minute drive away from the Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve. We took an outstanding hike along the river.
I played a solo piano concert the Fallbrook Library.
The Fallbrook Library concert piano was originally owned by Steve Allen. Steve Allen was a wonderful pianist. It’s a beautiful Mason & Hamlin. Enjoyed a most excellent concert there.
The Piano
Steve signed his piano.
Here’s a video from the concert – “Playa Santa Catalina” Check it out on YouTube.
I also played a solo piano concert at Schulman Auditorium in Carlsbad.
Here’s a video of “Life on the Open Range” from the concert at Schulman Auditorium in Carlsbad, CA.
Schulman Auditorium at the Dove Library, Carlsbad, CA
Not only is this a fantastic venue, but the Steinway they have there is an actual work of art. It also plays like a dream.
From Fallbrook and Carlsbad, we went through LA, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, Atascadero and Paso Robles for family meet-ups. Such great re-connection after Covid.
Dinner at Nature’s Grill in Ventura, CA.
10,000 Steps, Santa Barbara, CA.
Santa Barbara, CA with my daughters.
House with a view! Santa Barbara, CA
Thousand Palms, CA
Winslow, AZ “The Corner”
Christine on the corner.
If you get to Winslow, be sure to get Dan to give you a tour of Snowdrift. Outstanding!
One of Dan’s wooden creations.
Snowdrift panorama. Dan over on the left side.
We got home to a beautiful sunset over Cabezon.
Music News, Concert Photos and Videos
New Mexico Piano was released on May 24, 2023
You can buy the CD HERE
Available for streaming on Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music.
It is also available for downloading at Amazon, iTunes, and Bandcamp.
This is my 44th album and recorded very differently than all my other albums.
New Mexico Piano Cover
New Mexico Piano Back
My mission is to create music
that calls attention to the present moment.
Solo Pianist for Peace 