Hi Friends, I’m back in one piece from an inspired adventure in NYC. Starting with a long flight launching from innocent and quaint little Carlsbad airport, Stef and I arrived late in the evening at JFK to the sight that none of us musos ever want to see—a beaten up guitar case coming out of the baggage conveyor belt. I’m thinking, bummer, my case is going to need to be replaced but upon opening up the case I then realize that the guitar has had a rough ride to New York. My Ibanez Pat Metheny model is sitting there with the headstock broken clean off. Either some big piece of luggage must have hit hard in the perfect spot or a frustrated baggage dude was working on his Pete Townsend moves. Mmmm…I then take the guitar to the baggage guys and they seem cool and say that they’ll either pay to have it fixed or replaced. Maybe they’re on their best behavior after the YouTube revolution of “United Breaks Guitars”. In any event, we leave the guitar at the airport and I then work on how I’m going to get an instrument for the gigs with Diane. Paul, the tour manager, calls in a favor and scores a classic Gibson L5 from guitar hero Russell Malone. It turns out Russell’s a gem and the guitar is top notch. From there it’s a wonderful blur of rehearsals, soundchecks, cab rides, lots of walking, supreme restaurants, meeting up with old friends and making new friends. We played a show at a private benefit concert for Blue Note Record’s Bruce Lundvall and then 2 nights at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The venue at Lincoln Center has to be one of the most amazing places I’ve ever played. From the sound perspective it’s absolute top notch and then you mix in the visual magic of the glass wall behind the stage looking out onto the evening light dance of Columbus Circle. Breathtaking! What a great trip and I can’t wait to return…

For this week I’m looking forward to some Roxy solo guitar transcendence on Thursday evening. On Friday night my brother Tripp along with Fred Benedetti will join me for a concert at the Arts Hall at Cal State University San Marcos. Our group is called Blurring the Edges and our music combines elements of jazz, classical, flamenco, samba and the blues. We’ve recorded 2 CD's (Blurring the Edges and Sombra) and won the Best Jazz Group award in the 1994 San Diego Music Awards. Last night Tripp, Fred and I rehearsed the music and had some great stories to share. I hope you can join in for the good times.

On Sunday night I’m meeting up with Holly Hofmann, Mike Wofford, Bob Magnusson and Jim Plank for a concert at the Presbyterian Church in La Jolla. We’re all good friends and we have a long history of making music together. It’ll be fantastic! Hope you can make it out.

That’s it folks. I’m in town for this week and then heading out again next week with Dianne for a couple of gigs in Anguilla. I’ve never been there but I’m told it’s a beautiful island in the Caribbean with warm water. I went surfing yesterday and the water here has turned cold. I think I’ll add this detail to my gig contracts from here until summer — “artist must only play in places where the ocean temperature is 70 degrees and above”. Do you think that’ll fly?

Stay well, Peter