Dear Friends, we were up late into the evening completely digging on the blend factor of strings and, well, more strings mixed with cymbals and drums. My latest sonic adventure is a group with string quartet — 2 violins, viola, and cello, living alongside a jazz trio — guitar, bass, and drums. I figure collectively we’re 26 strings strong. Together we’re playing a body of music that lives somewhere between two different worlds — jazz improvisation and the pristine clarity of the classical tradition. But because I’ve written most of the music, my fondness of the Brazilian samba makes it’s way in along with the one and only Beatles influence in my song aptly called “The Beatles”. We’re also playing an updated spin through Bach’s “Prelude Number 9” from the Well Tempered Clavier, an East Indian raga quest inspired by John McLaughlin called “Mahavishnu”, Chick Corea’s gorgeous compositions “Day Danse” and the edgy “Isfahan”, and really, no concert could be complete without some raunchy blues elegantly played by a string quartet.

The band is myself along with Bob Magnusson on bass, Duncan Moore on drums, Bridget Dolkas and Jeanne Skrocki on violins, Pam Jacobsen on viola, and Carter Dewberry on cello. And what a band it is! I’m completely thrilled and inspired! All of the players have taken the insane details of this music and made magic with them. What a sound!

I sure hope you can make it out to hear our group. We’re playing 2 shows this week. The first one is in L.A. so I’m hoping the San Diego version works easier into your flow. The details are below.

Also up for this week is a gig tonight at Parioli’s in Solana Beach. Leonard is in the house along with Trippster, Gunnar and hopefully our Dad too. We’ve been having some good times over there — Piero and Antonio who run the place are huge music fans and they make all the details come together nicely. Can’t wait to play and to eat some pasta too…

That’s it for now. Stay well, Peter