…played an improv show in Sacramento last night at the trusty Java Lounge with my friends Ross Hammond and Shawn Hale and also with the talented Devin Hoff. I used to play in Anton Barbeau’s band with Shawn back in 2002 and had not seen him since then, so it was good to play.
Funny thing these gigs. Maybe 15 or so guys in attendance. Don’t women like wacked music? Yes, of course, but there is a skew toward the male in my experience. Not good music if you want to meet girls, I guess.
Anyway, Devin played an amazing solo set – his improvisations are so compositional. And his facility, awesome. Very inspiring. Devin was kind enough to join us for a two standup bass, two electric guitar (telecasters!) sound improvisation that went on for quite some time. Funny, I really wanted to slam into some blues, but felt like it wouldn’t fit or something – but it would have. Next time. It wasn’t much of a night for capture – the lighting was terrible for photos and I forgot my Edirol recorder. Dammit.
And Happy Belated Birthday to Phillip Greenlief, who recently reminded his fellow improv musicians that we are warriors of art – out on the road, laying it down. As I was driving home in a torrential downpour and witnessed three cars spin out a half mile in front of me, I was reminded of this charge. Onward.