Performing

If you are not gigging on Sunday, June 4, 2023 and can get to Birdland at 5:30 PM I would love to know that you are taking my place in the audience I cannot make it as I'm in Baltimore. Jay is 82, a fabulous bassist and song writer, and I love that guy! He has scored his songs for piano, bass, drums and 4 horns, and it will be wonderful. Here's a link in case you can make it: https://birdlandjazz.com/event/jay-leonhart/

One thing that I do is look around the room regularly. Now, in a small venue this is not an issue because you can see everyone. But on a bigger stage (or on television), it's more abstract. I have played many shows where there are very bright lights, and I really can't see anything. Maybe the first few rows, but that's it unless the house lights are up. So I imagine that I can still see everyone, and I look at different places in the room on a regular basis, smiling and emoting to that black space. Some of these were recorded, and when I look at them now it's strange because I can see myself engaging with the room - but I remember very well that I could not see a thing! I think that's the right thing to do.

Carnegie Hall, 2018

On television it's weirder, because normally…

Hey guys...over the years in order to step through the crowd, you need to have the "show" in performing.

This goes beyond staring at your fretboard. We have little bits worked out, the piano player plays with butt at the height of a solo, also with his foot. I put the harp in my mouth and play with no hands. When the guitarist is soloing I goof on him making punching swings and pointing, covering my ears etc... I also have a wireless and walk the crowd on the "big ending". Of course dress to the 9's. Last year we added a bungie T-shirt launcher where we put Mardi Gars beads and free T-shirts in and launch 'em in the crowd. Yeah....add a little vaudeville in and folks will dig it much more than just the music. Anyone else have some show biz in there performance? I know even professional ac…