Music News You Can Use - March 2014

Hi Ya -- Is February the shortest month of the year or something?   Where did it go?!!

I saw two fine songwriters at the beginning of the month.  Christopher Smith and Steve Key are such fine songsmiths and performers, and the Bazaar Cafe is a wonderful place to hear music up close and personal.    Check them all out.

The next day I had a fun time with my Don't Look Back pals at Cafe Leila in Berkeley -- and what a turn out!!  Thank you loyal fans -- even in the pouring rain!!   We are going to need to upgrade our sound system if this keeps up -- hmmm, Kickstarter?

What else happened in February?  A lot of work on the FAR-West 2014 conference, and some for the Freight.  And, two fun music parties!!   Thank you Phil and Melissa, and Jackie and Fred for your hospitality and bringing together so many nice people and fine players, yourselves included.    Jackie and Fred have a band to check out here -- Jackie has an amazing voice and Fred is a guitar monster.   The Bay Area is overrun with talent -- like about everywhere else these days -- just do a random walk through YouTube.

Which brings me to my latest YouTube discovery:   Kenichi Ebina doing his Michael Jackson tribute.   Beyond his very cool moves, his  flexibility and stamina amaze me.  I am still learning how to tap my feet and play guitar at the same time.   Check out his other videos too.

Big news:  I am recording some new songs -- long overdue, I know.  I am working with Kevin Harris, a veteran producer and writer who I chased down after hearing records he had done with Larry K. Potts and Laura Zucker.     He is very good at helping me sound good -- here is a preliminary mix of the first one we've been working on together.   More coming.

Coming up on March 14th, I will be playing at the Ruth McGowan Pub  in Cloverdale with some friends, which is always a treat.  If you are up that way, I would love to see you.   (If you are not up that way, go see Claire Lynch at the OCA -- she is one of the best!!)    Oh, and please do put April 26th on your calendar if you haven't already.  I'll be playing with Dulcie Taylor and Steve Key at Studio 55 in San Rafael -- it will be a very special evening.

That's a bit of my story.   It's raining now and California is very happy.

all the best,

John
Roy Zat
Croizat
Whatever