Last sunday I decided not to watch the Bengals game. I decided to do something else. I heard that one of the greatest living musicians was in town, Wynton Marsalis. He is an amazing trumpet player. You probably saw him on the news talking about Katrina. Hes from New Orleans. Here is why he is great

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Most musicians who are on the virtuoso level specialize in a specific kind of music. There are few exceptions allthough some do play in other genres. Eric Clapton is a good example of a crossover artist. Most world class musicians play classical OR jazz those being the most challenging(in my oppinion) to play. Wynton Marsalis plays both like he was born to.

I took my sister for her birthday. Got  mom and dad to go too. So I got the envelope from will call and noticed it had 6 tickets instead of 4. The two extra tickets were 8 rows back. Well we watched the first half from the balcony and the second half my sis and I went down and sat right next to John Lomax from channel 5. We had the seats right next to his box and he was the MC! So thank you dumb will call clerk. And thank you Wynton. The concert was awesome. My mother (who is a very accomplished pianist) proclaimed it "the best music she has ever heard". No alcohol involved.

Here is Wynton playing Hummel trumpet concerto in E flat 3rd movement. It gets insane at 2:43

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fRf1_K6mPo&feature=related

This is what I like to call a "slutty" jazz song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fRf1_K6mPo&feature=related

Here he is with local opera singer Kathleen Battle. SILF?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GdTJ1wi2IQ

Here are my acoustic guitars. Nothing special really here but I think I got a few cool pics anyway. This is my faithful Takamine G-240. Its a cheap guitar and its ten years old, but its like an old baseball glove. Its just broke in.

This is my classical acoustic guitar. My uncle bought it for me in mexico. It showed up under the christmas tree one year. Its pretty much garbage. It wont even stay in tune with itself, let alone another guitar or a piano. I keep it around for fun really. Its nice to drop the guitar pick every once in awhile. As you can see this guitar is chewed up a bit.

Here is my 6 string banjo. Its tuned like a guitar. I found it in some crappy pawn shop and thought it was cool. Its made by some no name foreign manufacturer. Its definately fun to play, but I havent quite got the technique down.(Bluegrass is tough)

More back of guitar reflection photos.

Really. The Giants are the best team in the NFL. Here are last weeks  offensive stats and some cool pics. No commentay needed. They rule. Here is proof.

Eli Manning    19/25    267yds    2tds   

David Carr?    1/1    5yds    1td

B. Jacobs    15att    136yds    2tds    !!!!9.06ypc!!!!

Bradshaw    11att    65yds    !!!!5.9ypc!!!!

Ward             7att     40yds    !!!!5.7ypc!!!!!

Seahawks Linebackers and DBs will be having nightmares the rest of their lives. I mean 9 yards per carry? Thats freaking scary.

Hixon    4catches    102yds    1td    !!!!25.5ypc!!!!

Toomer    4catches    64   

Moss    4catches    45yds    2tds

The Giants play in Cleveland next week. It may turn out to be a good game, but I am confident the G-men can pull it out in the dogpound.

With the Giants moving to 5-0 this weekend and the Bengals going to 0-5, the time is right to jump ship. Meanwhile, there is plenty of room on the Giants bandwagon for any of you the frustrated of cincy. Not only are you welcome on the bandwagon, but if the Bengals start winning you can jump right back off. We probably wont notice, but at least you will. Its a good feeling rooting for the best team in the NFL, period. These guys are waiting....

The real 85?

Wheh the Bengals start pissing me off and life seems like its out to get me, I just pick one of these babies up and tear into some tastey riffs. Ive been playing 15 or so years and teaching for 4. I have 5 students every week and a few that take lessons less frequently.

This is my 1996 American Fender Stratocaster. It plays like a dream and sounds like one too.

And here is my 1997 Corvette Standard Warrick bass guitar. It is a sweet piece of wood. Long scale neck, but only passive pick-ups. I can slap, pop or tap my way out of any bad mood with this one.

So thats how I release a little steam. How do you?