It is exciting to announce the beginning of a new weekly jazz gig at Caffe Mela in downtown Wenatchee on Tuesdays from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.  They have just remodeled and are now serving dinner and adult beverages along with their award winning coffee.

This opportunity will allow for local jazz fans to have a home.  The finest players in the area are featured in a variety of settings, and other "guests" and students will sit in as well.  Darren Reynolds, owner of Caffe Mela is a supporter of live music in a big way.  Since the opening of his coffeehouse there is a sense of real vitality growing within the local music scene.

Among the musicians who will be regular performers are:

• Erin Smith - trumpet/flugelhorn
• Jeff Sandberg Jr. - saxophones
• Tom McNair - trombone
• Sammy Choman - clarinet/saxophones
• Tracy Warner - clarinet
• Glenn Isaacson - piano/bass
• Pat Thompson - piano
• Owen Megelssen - guitar
• Mike Choman - guitar
• Steve Sanders - bass
• Roger Vandivort - bass
• Mike Conrad - drums
• Todd Snyder - drums

There is no cover charge, and all ages are welcomed.  See you there!

The 2011 Wenatchee Jazz Workshop was a great success.  We're now in our 2nd decade, and the workshop continues to grow both in scope and in quality.  We have had the same group of 6 musicians in our community for several years now, and getting to know them and becoming friends has truly been one the great joys of my life.

Ira, Clay, Jeff, Rich, Tom and Dick are amazing players, and they always inspire me and our students with their terrific musicianship.  In addition, they are all spectacular human beings and are genuine teachers as well.

We all look forward to our time together and know that the workshop is changing lives.  Beyond the great musical experiences, the workshop communicates a strong message about how to succeed in life regardless of what endeavors people pursue.  The ideas shared regarding hard work, integrity, kindness and discipline are not lost on any of us.  What a fabulous program this is.  I'm honored to be a part of it and can't wait until next year, when we do it all again!

Michelle's mother Lillian Auwerter passed away on October 7th, 2010.  She was very dear to our family, and will be greatly missed.  She had more than her share of struggles, and after a summer of difficulty, finally passed away.  Lillian had been recovering from a stay in the hospital when it was discovered that she had lung cancer (her 4th cancer).  While it was her heart that gave out, the cancer complicated things and added to her discomfort.  Michelle was heroic and loving, giving everything she had to make the last weeks tolerable and valuable for her mom.

Kimberly was very close to her Nana, and was also very brave throughout the process.  We tried to keep Kimberly "in the loop" all along, but losing a loved one is especially hard for someone so young.  The picture here is Lillian with Kimberly at 6 months.

Michelle's sister Rene' and her husband Chuck came up from Florida, and have been very helpful in taking the load off of Michelle.  We'll all miss Lillian very much and are sure that she is with God and her late husband Dale.

After a very hectic summer of assisting Michelle's mom with things, it is good to get back to school.  The band students at Eastmont Junior High School are a pleasure to work with so far this year.  While there are many students who have not learned much of what they need to succeed at a high level, all are attentive and very nice.  That really is all I need.  I've been showing them how to play their instruments with proper technique and many are showing results immediately.

It is always fun to see a kid who wants to play well actually do it.  We don't have many what I would call "superstars", but that is only temporary.  I've got my claws in them now and it is only a matter of time before magic starts to happen.  Music is such a powerful thing, and kids are starved for success.

Since moving from Seattle and giving up my previously busy playing schedule, maintaining "chop" strength has been difficult.  Without the steady performance demands of my previous life, I find myself consistently frustrated by my lack of endurance.

I have recently started an official practice regimen that includes:

• Long Tones
• Lip Slurs
• Tongue Studies
• Isometrics
• Repertoire Practice

Knowing what to do to rebuild to my former abilities is the easy part.  Finding the disciple and time to follow through has been the challenge.  My desire to play has returned with the passage of time since my "burnout" before moving to Wenatchee.  Time will tell, but playing has become fun again.  Stay Tuned!

My wife Michelle, daughter Kimberly and I just returned home from a short trip to the Seattle Area. We stayed in our pop up camper in Monroe on the Skykomish River and took day trips to the Pacific Science Center, Seattle Underground Tour, Pike Place Market and Bellevue Square.

The highlight of the trip for me was a meatball hero (no surprise to those who know me) at a little pasta bar in the Post Alley part of Pike Place Market. This was BY FAR the greatest culinary specimen I've ever had the pleasure of consuming. I will plan future trips around consuming another.

Kimberly enjoyed all of our activities, adopted a cow, experienced shopping as never before, and once again proved herself to be wonderful in every way.

Michelle enjoyed the well deserved break away from her stack of work.

The trip was a success and we all relished the time to just be together. Time moves quickly and the more we can spend in each others' company, the better.