Benefit

Today was great.

Slept in late.

Went and played for a benefit organized by my friend Andrea Palesh.

Proceeds went to The Breast Cancer research foundation.

Wonderful show: great performances, and choreography by Dana Foglia, Olutayo, and more

They rolled out a grand piano for me and I sang "Even So" and "Warning Shot"

and it went well! The crowd gave me some great support,

and I really enjoyed performing for them.

Sold a couple CD's, handed out some flyers, and got a few names on my mailing list

A successful showing for sure.

Yesssss........

And I was able to be there for some friends who needed me to listen. I love bein a listening ear.

Woke up last night suddenly, feeling like I was choking.

I had some fluid in my throat, and a really horrible taste in my mouth.

It was pretty frightening. I hope that doesn't happen again.

Lifted + Yvette Rovira

I did a Story Pirates show today, with very talented FUNNY actors, who I love working with....

Then tonight I went to Bitter End to see Yvette Rovira & Lifted. Yvette went to Berklee College of Music with me, and is a very talented pop/R&B singer & songwriter. I hope to write with her at some point. She has an amazing voice. Effortless high belt and awesome tone. GREAT instrument. She also sings in Lifted, which is comprised of full band + MC + horns + Erin Boyd, who I went to Boston Conservatory with. They all sounded amazing!! I would go back to see them again!

Exercise

Today was a beautiful day.

I slept in (much needed).

Woke up, had some coffee and headed to Soul Cycle on W. 72nd St.

My friend (and web designer) Anton Briones was doing teacher training there.

It was free for me and others because he was training,

but usually the class is $32

Crazy! For only 45 minutes

BUT, if you have the money,

it's totally worth it.

Amazing class, high energy, you sweat alot

to good music, and good vibe

Anton:

So for now the class is free I believe on Fridays at 1 pm. 

Call to reserve a bike. You won't be sorry!

Then I headed over to BDC to take class from my friend

the amazing Joanna Numata.

We did a routine to a Meshell Ndegeocello song.

Beautiful.

I was loving my life today.

Got a couple groceries...

Now doing absolutely nothing lol.

It's all happening

Gotta love that line from Almost Famous.

I love when stuff seems to be coming together.

Got band lined up for my gig in a couple weeks at Crash Mansion. Rehearsal is booked.

Had a good day.

That's about it.

Sitting (naked) in front of my fan, lol....

Life is good.

Hot one

Today was a hot day, and I loved it!!


Slept in (which was really nice due to my extremely long day yesterday!) and taught some kids music classes. Met this girl Lara Janine who is doing some cool stuff musically, has been in and out of some music deals, working on a group concept right now. 


I took Joe Buffa's dance class at Chelsea Piers, and I really love it there. It's beautiful down by the pier!


Wheeee!!


Waiting to hear back from some people about my upcoming gig.


Fun!

Longest day ever

Woke up a little before 6 am today to do a Story Pirates show....It was in this beautiful school in Connecticut, and the weather was so ideal.....SO nice to be around trees!

I love hanging out with the people in Story Pirates, and I had actually gotten in bed last night before 11pm. GASP!!!! LOL.....

Had kids music classes, and then Bikram....today I was dying in Bikram....kind of a struggle to stay in the room. I really took it easy for the last part of class, as I was feeling weak and overheated. Felt pretty good afterwards though.

Had a short rehearsal for another Story Pirates show, and then headed down to Crash Mansion to see Amy Crawford play. She was a Berklee student who I am just getting to know, and she sounded great! Full band, including Iakov Kremenskiy, who plays guitar for me. She is really talented, and super hot, tall girl.

I was also able to scope out the venue which was nice, since I just booked a show there for Monday, June 14 @ 10:45 pm. It's a great space, and I'm psyched for it!

Posting in the evening

What? I'm posting a blog in the evening?

Yes, my friends, because I'm hoping to go to bed REALLY REALLY early.

WHY?

Because I HAVE TO BE UP AT 5:45 AM!

AAAAHHHH.....

for a Story Pirates performance in Connecticut.

Other thoughts:

-Trying to book a gig in June (have a couple coming up in July)

-Thinking of moving to Nashville?!?! Maybe?

Nashville?!

I slept soooo much this weekend, it was kinda wonderful.

I wanna play more gigs! Chomping at the bit to play again.

I'm thinking of moving to Nashville for a little bit?!?!?

I don't know what to do with my life!!!!

One day at a time.....

Paranormal Activity

Slept in reallllll late today......that's why I'm still up. Don't judge me!

Played for Allison O'Connor's midnight yoga class at Laughing Lotus. It was great. I play instrumentals for a two hour yoga class....tonight I was getting into a Lady Gaga medley....haha....and I even played Taylor Swift. Haha, my bro will kill me! It was Allison's last midnight yoga class, so I will kinda miss not doing it again, but hopefully I will catch some comedy with Allison....She is a lover of improv comedy, and taking classes herself.

Now I'm about to eat a torta de carnitas, drink some horchata, and watch "Paranormal Activity." Yikes! I'm excited.

Release Show

So.....

Release Show was GREAT!!

It ended up being a very rainy/windy day...and I got ALOT of texts / messages saying that people couldn't come, so my expectations were extremely lowered as far as turn out...However, I was quite pleased with the energy/vibe of the people that were there, and so appreciative to those who came out!

AND.....the band was amazing! I was using a lot of new musicians, and everyone killed it....were so professional...looked great in their black and gray....and I thoroughly enjoyed my set.

Wish I would've sold more CD's and gotten peeps on the mailing list...but all in all it was a great event, and I would love to play at the Bitter End more.

Click here to get a copy of my album from CD Baby.

Tonight, I went and saw old college friend Trish LaRose in her new cabaret-type show, "Bulletproof," directed by Emily Swanson.

She did a great job, and I also ran into old co-star from "Big River" in Massachusetts, Joshua Heggie! I had been looking for him the last couple of years, and SO glad I ran into him!

Dreaming of release parties

Good night tonight with my parents...

We went to Lime Jungle & Holey Cream, a great Mexican food / ice cream combination, introduced a few weeks ago by my friend Cara. They are both on 9th Ave by 54th & 53rd, respectively.

Had some great conversation.

Now about to sleep. Release party is tomorrow!

Hottttttnessss

Went to the casting today for Bravo's "Hitmaker." I think it went well. I played a short cut of "Warning Shot" and met some cool people, but I didn't get a callback. Not too upset, because you never even know what's gonna happen with some of these shows....how they will pan out, if it really is the right opportunity for you. I know that "big breaks" are sort of a myth in a way, because it's really all about the consistent hard work, and doing what you love, and the rest is gravy (hopefully, ha)

My afternoon was MADE though with a hot full band rehearsal. So grateful for the new guys that Iakov brought in, and my background singers + Heightz, who will be rapping. They all are helping to make it a great show. It's gonna be a great set, and I'm so excited for Tuesday!!!

Now I gotta get some sleeeeeep......
BYE!!!

Oh no!!!

Aaah, didn't write in my blog last night.....

And the world didn't end!! All is ok...

Went and did a kids party today in Rye, NY, and it was a beautiful day....Gorgeous weather....

Did some Bikram....

Getting ready for "Hitmakers" audition tomorrow, and then 2nd rehearsal with the band. Woo-hoo!!

Good rehearsal

Had a great rehearsal today with the guys for my CD release show.

I have:

Drums - Jeffrey Villanueva
Guitar - Iakov Kremenskiy (who has played MANY gigs with me)
Bass - Jordan Scannella
Keys - Evgeny Lebedev
Flute/sax - Carras Patton

Background vocals - Nick Boddington & Jade Bartlett

I was really impressed with Jordan, Jeffrey, and Evgeny, the "new" guys. (did one little gig with jeffrey before) They all did a really good job. I was especially impressed with Evgeny. He came totally prepared, knew the parts by heart, and had all the sounds programmed into his keyboard. I was thrilled. Looking forward to the gig!

Leave Right Now

Listening to Will Young's "Leave Right Now" on loop....You may know this as the exit song on American idol, haha....I really love it.

I'm getting super pumped for my release party on Tuesday. Woohoo!!

Today I had kids music classes, then I picked up a new pedal for my keyboard at First Flight Music, then I met with this girl Breanna at my apartment to go over some music with her. I'm trying to pick up extra work coaching/accompanying people.

So yeeeeea that was my day.....

Over and out!

P.S. I'm a little obsessed with Glozell on YouTube. She has almost 900 videos I think. She makes them daily obviously....She's really funny! Click here for her YouTube page

Less than a week till my CD release party

Yes, that's right!!

Click here for more information on my CD release party! I'm excited!

Today I did music for kids, got some pictures printed, went to therapy,

Took DANA FOGLIA at Broadway Dance Center. Oh my god, this girl is a beast and one of my favorite choreographers. She has danced for Beyonce, Rihanna, Janet, to name a few and is an amazing teacher.

Then I went to Bitter End to drop off some flyers & poster for the show next week, and caught Olamide's set. He is awesome, and he will also be playing there next week after my show. Yay!

Wonderland Robbers

First day of the summer semester for my kids music job...Good to be back with cute babies....

And had a great rehearsal with Nick and Jade for my CD release party. They are singing backups and they sounded fantastic! They do their own music which is really nice, and they go by the name "Wonderland Robbers." They have an AMAZING apartment on Riverside Dr. It was beautiful!!

Nightmare on Elm Street

Last night I saw the new nightmare on Elm Street....OOOOOH it was scary! I love scary movies!

Siiirens

Sirens After Dark went good. I felt pretty good about the performance, though I heard that in the room the sound wasn't that great. I think I pulled it out.

I love dancers.

I just had the biggest torta and horchata....yum....FULL...

Blow me awaaaaay

Great rehearsal today
with Yvonne, Brian, Scott & Nekai
Neil Schwartz choreography

These kids are my life right now...4 of my favorite dancers
and a choreographer that has inspired me alot

Here's a funny picture of the twins with Neil

Hahahha....

Tonight I went to a metal show...

Yes, believe it!

My friend Hugo sings in a metal band,

and it was actually really good!

There was a wind machine on stage, 

and one of the guitar players was totally living

with his long hair blowing in the wind

AHHHAAAA

Vacation?

Vacation is so confusing....

I'm off from work at my kid's job.

But of course trying to do a million things.

Procrastinating.

Then doing a couple things.

More procrastination. Relaxing a little.

Performing "Warning Shot" on Saturday, and still feel like I have so much to do to get my act together.

Took Joanna tonight which was amazing.

Registered my songs with BMI.

Gaaaaahhhhhh ok, I'm gonna go over choreography for a little bit then go to bed.

Night!

Nothing to see here!

Nothing really to report...

More bikram...more sweat...

LOTS of sleep.... (It's my week off from my kid's music job)

Jonte, Warning Shot, Intervention, etc....

Had a rehearsal today for "Warning Shot" this Saturday at Sirens after Dark. I'm a little nervous about it. I need to get my shit together lol...There's time it will be ok. I got days. :-) Choreography is looking great thanks to Neil Schwartz, Yvonne, Nekai, and Scott & Brian.

Took class with Jonte. It had been awhile. I took 3 t-shirts and soaked through all of them. His class/choreo always does that to me! In fact, I could've used 4! LOL.

Here is Jonte outside of BDC rockin another onesie.

Still reading this great book about networking in the music business,

and was reading some success stories about people in the industry

some of whom achieved the most in their 30's/40's, after working hard for many years in different avenues

The people who stayed in the game, and figured out a way to make it work for them

Because they love it

That inspired me.

Gotta be one of the last men standing,

still striving, and never giving up

Now watching an episode of Intervention, ha. 

Is he going to treatment??

I hope so!

Back in NY

Took the megabus back to NYC from Boston today, in time for a therapy appointment, and some bikram.

The end. Thanks for reading.

Nephew time

Today was pretty relaxing....Woke up and played with my nephew.

Click here to see a cute video of me and Gus.

Hung out with bro for a little bit... went into Boston to take a yoga class at Back Bay yoga, which has a beautiful new space...I'm like, oh it's not bikram, so I probably won't sweat much. WRONG....I was drenched....Mission accomplished....felt good....and then I had my favorite wrap from Boloco....yum!!!!

Wake up the Earth

Today I had major family time with Jeremy, Bridget, and the nephews, Gus & Cal (newborn)

We went to a really cute street fair-parade in Jamaica Plain called "Wake up the Earth." So JP/hippie....I loved it. Lots of little kids in costumes. We met some of their friends who also had kids, and they had little instruments for the kids, and we all marched in the parade. There was also some kind of contest where people were dressing up as roosters, and I was obsessed with this guy dressed as a fancy rooster in a tux, lol....See pics below...

Ate some yummy street food, and had a nice day...Came back and relaxed...played lots with Gus. LOL he was buck naked after he took his bath while we were playing in his playroom....Wish I could just walk around like that haha....feels so free....

Boston!

Woke up this morning on VERY little sleep,
to catch a bus to Boston.
I was running late, big surprise, and took a cab, realizing I was not going to make the bus, but hey, when I got there, I found out I was in luck and the bus was running almost an hour late.

Slept on the whole bus ride....zzzzzzz........
Jeremy picked me up at South Station, we picked up the keyboard I was borrowing, and went back to Roxbury to freshen up.
Saw my newborn nephew who was sleeping, and my 3 year old nephew Gus, who is as talkative as ever, and such a funny little bundle of joy.

I found out the guy who was going to play percussion on my Boston gig was stuck on a bus back from New York, and maybe wouldn't make it, so I was flying solo for the gig.

GIG was AWESOME!

I played at the new b. good across from Berklee College of Music, my alma mater.
They had a cute room upstairs with couches, and a little stage with an amp and mic.
I ended up having a good amount of people come out to the show...some old friends, and a bunch of my brother's friends from work. I played new & old songs and I was offering the new + old album in a combo pack for $12, and a bunch of people bought CD's. I videotaped the show, and just generally had a good time. So glad I did it!

After the show, I got to spend some good quality time with my friend 

Stephen Buslovich. We were thick as thieves when I lived in Boston,

and I've missed him greatly.