Genie lamp

Clementine Cafe

Performed tonight in my hometown of Harrisonburg, VA on Main St. at Clementine Cafe. Cool space!

My mom did a great job of inviting lots of people out from church, work, etc, and I had some friends come out as well, some of which I hadn't seen in a long time.

It's been good to chill at home in Virginia -- sleep, nap, watch movies ("Whip It" and "The Changeling" so far), spend time with parents, & eat (Indian American Cafe, my favorite!)

Not too much going on tomorrow, just hanging with some friends, and then leaving for the beach on Tuesday. Good late summer plans!

Baby wants Candy

Thats the name of this improv show I played for tonight.

We drove to Loretta PA to do the show at a college called St. Francis...I was filling in.

It's an improvised musical. Pretty awesome. I was playing piano and helping to lead the band - bass, guitar, and drums, and the singers just make up lyrics. I mean its completely improvised....So fun.....

Now I'm home in Virginia. It's nice to be back here. I'm playing a show on Sunday at a club in town called Clementine Cafe.

Looking forward to it!

banshee

That's my new favorite word.

Banshee - is a female spirit in Irish mythology, usually seen as an omen of death and a messenger from the Otherworld

But I like to think of "banshee" as crazy or wild.

Here is a picture that popped up on google for banshee:

Took Shyrelle Kalilikane at Broadway Dance Center tonight. We did an Aaliyah combo, since it was the anniversary of Aaliyah's death.

Class was great. Love Shyrelle!

SHOW at Crash Mansion

WOW......

What a great night......

so much.....

I feel blessed and grateful.....Of course there are always things that could be better, but overall I had fun and we put on an entertaining show, with the help of:

-4-piece band + horn + backgrounds
-guest rapper Heightz
-guest tapper Cartier Williams
-dance performance from the choreography of Joanna Numata
-duet with singer/dancer Joe Buffa

I feel great about bringing together awesome talent and energy and putting on an entertaining show. We'll see how the footage comes out (I had someone taping)

After my gig I went to Rockwood to see my bass player Jordan Scannella kill it with his band!!

Wood/ Bowery Electric

Doing a lot of preparing for my show tomorrow...

Got a piece of wood to take to the gig for Cartier to tap on... shout out to Prince Lumber ...ha...

Went tonight to Bowery Electric to see my friend Lisa Sansouci with her band This Hollywood Heart, and I ran into my drummer Jeff Villanueva who was playing there with his band. Both groups were really great!

Always love to see live music and get inspired :-)

Now trying to get some sleep for tomorrow...Wish me luck!

Parks & Recreation

Watching episodes of "Parks & Recreation" on my DVR.....

Love a good sitcom.

Today I had GREAT dance rehearsals with Yvonne & Emily....they are gonna kill on tuesday!

Tonight I went to see a bunch of friends play music:

The Amazing Jellies (Eli Bolin & Alison Posner) at the Googie's (above the Living Room)
&
Andrea Setaro w/band at Sidewalk Cafe.

Got to hang with some awesome peeps and enjoy some great live music!!!

Sun Gold tomatoes

Went for my first workout today at East 54th Recreation Center, where a 6 month membership is only $37.50!!!!

Works for me!

Went shopping and got some nice t-shirts at the Barney's Warehouse Sale

and Brooklyn Industries

Then I stumbled across the Union Square Farmer's Market,

and I strongly felt like I should get some fresh produce,

so I stopped to get cherry tomatoes,

and the young guys at the stand, farmers from upstate NY,

told me to try the sun gold cherry tomatoes,

and said it would change my life.

AND....

It is freakin delicious! Sweeter than the regular tomato....

sooo goood

So he hooked me up with some of those...

Definite highlight of my day.

Nice guys.

Went and saw Emily Greene at The Living Room
and she was so great!!

Great songs, and gracious performer!

Eat Pray Love

SO today I had GREAT rehearsals:

Rehearsed background vocals with Nick & Jade at their awesome apartment on Riverside Dr.,

and then later that afternoon I had band rehearsal with Jeffrey, Jordan, Evgeny, and Iakov. It went really well, and I can't wait for the show on Tuesday!

Then I met up with my good friend Stephanie Jaggers and we saw Eat Pray Love. It was pretty good, I got some awesome tidbits from it. Definitely recommend going to see it!

Adam Shenk day

My friend David E. Cano, who works on the LA Council, got this resolution passed:


RESOLUTION
Adam Shenk Day
August 20, 2010
WHEREAS, Adam Shenk has become a musical sensation; and
WHEREAS, Adam Shenk’s musical destiny has been evident since his youth; and
WHEREAS, Adam Shenk parents, after observing their three-year-old singing original songs into a tape recorder, found ways to encourage his musical talents; and
WHEREAS, Adam Shenk, at age 11, earned a slot at prestigious American Boychoir School in Princeton, N.J.; and
WHEREAS, Adam Shenk’s education continued and flourished at Michigan’s Interlochen Center for the Arts, Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Songwriting; and
WHEREAS, Adam Shenk’s performances include New York’s Rockwood Music Hall, Cutting Room, The Bitter End and Bowery Poetry Club; and
WHEREAS, Adam Shenk has headlined a series of live gigs at pianos; and
WHEREAS, Adam Shenk scored an audition for the semi-finals of MTV’s popular “Making the Band 4,” in New York in 2007, performing for host P. Diddy; and
WHEREAS, Adam Shenk, served as songwriter, producer and singer for his first EP, “If Ya Like This” in 2007; and
WHEREAS, Adam Shenk’s firmly established New York roots is apparent in his second album, “Suitcases,” which focuses on transition and change. Produced by Ayhan Sahin with music and lyrics by Shenk, the 14-track album meshes pop and contemporary R&B with old-school soul and shades of jazz; and
WHEREAS, Adam Shenk and his brand of Neo-Pop, R & B, jazz and soul is designed to stimulate the senses of his many fans and engage their emotions:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that by adoption of this resolution the Mayor, City Council and City Clerk of the City of Los Angeles does hereby declare ADAM SHENK DAY in the City of Los Angeles, commend him on the success of his newest album and his many outstanding accomplishments, praise his musical talent and thank him for bringing joy to the hearts and ears of his many adoring fans.

Adam Shenk day

Thanks to my friend David E. Cano, who works for LA councilwoman Jan Perry, August 20 has been declared Adam Shenk day!

Today I celebrate me!

Jersey Shore

Nothing much to report today.

Did some much needed napping....

Watching Jersey Shore now.....YUP!!!

Greenhouse

LoveJones show at Greenhouse was tonight. I performed "That Thing" with Nemiss, a female singer/rapper. It was fun!

My favorite performance was from Ant Taylor who did his song "I Love You Too," an awesome song, and he even played a hot white Roland key-tar.

Yeah!!

And special thanks to my friend Ryan James who helped me hand out flyers for my upcoming show, and took some pictures.

It was a great night!

That Thing

Great day today

Full of therapy, 

kids, 

getting a new haircut, 

working with Neil Schwartz (choreographer),

& rehearsing with Nemiss (rapper/singer who I'm collaborating with for the Love Jones showcase) in Bedstuy, BK

We are singing "That Thing" by Lauryn Hill.

Hope it goes well!! I think we'll have a lot of fun.

I'm taking my friend Ryan James as my guest,

and my number is first,

so then we can sit back and relax,

and enjoy the show.

Woop!

Jones in my bones

Had a great meeting today with a talented songwriter named Ron Gerald. I may be referencing some material with him or doing some collabs.

Took a great Bikram class & then went to rehearsal for LoveJones. (Show on Wednesday at the Greenhouse)

Should be fun. Big day tomorrow too.....wishing myself luck!!

Over & out

Holding You Down

Kinda obsessed with that new Jazmine Sullivan song:

Etcetera

Went out to Orange, NJ today to record a song called "Yesterday" with rapper Etcetera and producer Johnny Velvet.

It was a good session. Really enjoyed working with those guys and looking forward to more!

Took the 2 train home, but they were running shuttle buses after 96th St. I mistakenly got on a bus that would've taken me express to The Bronx-149th St. (I live on 116th) but luckily a friend saw me and told me to get off and get on a different bus. Thank God for that!! Very serendipitous, and it was good to see him and his new wife and their roommate. Very thankful!

Crazies, cockroaches, cranberry + soda

I feel so weird....

Was feeling SO sore and under the weather, and today I haven't eaten in 12 hours, wasn't hungry all day, and feeling weird. About to get into a burrito....I hope it doesn't upset my stomach...Riskin it...lol...

Rehearsed today with Joe Buffa at Chelsea Piers for a number we're doing in my upcoming show. Gonna be hot!!

Went to see Robbie Gil play a solo show at Rockwood Music Hall. It was really good.

Check out the hot flyer for my upcoming show!

P.S. I found a flying cockroach in my apartment last night. Aaaah terrifying!!

Googie's eyeballs

Was soooo tired today and sore from Joanna's class yesterday,

and.....
my eyeballs hurt!


Random.

Managed to get through kid's music classes & a party and then took a NAP

Then went to Googie's to hear some excellent musicians.

Amy Crawford & Taylor Greenwood, accompanied by two of my favorite musicians Adam Tressler & Nick D'Agostino.

Amy:

Taylor:

                          

DANCE & LIFE

Wonderful day today.....

Taught music classes,

then went to an audition. LITERALLY walked into the building, changed my shirt, was called in to audition, then left, probably all within 5 minutes. AMAZING!!

Took 2 of Joanna Numata's classes.....Hadn't danced in like weeks....maybe months aaah. Classes were amazing. We danced to "Click Click Click" by Nasri and "Say Yes" by Floetry......

Vibed with my bud Joe Buffa. We are working up a cool number for my next show at Crash Mansion.

In addition, I will be performing this coming Wednesday at the Greenhouse in NYC as part of the LoveJones showcase. It's gonna be great!!

Hamlet + Sydney Wayser

Went to audition today as a keyboard player for a new artist on Interscope. I think it went ok. I'm just glad I went and I keep putting myself out there.

Spent some time in Washington Square Park today running lines with my friend

He is playing Hamlet in Utah....

So much respect for someone who can learn all that! And Shakespeare at that!

Went and saw Sydney Wayser for the first time at Rockwood Music Hall. 

She has a beautiul voice & demeanor...very pure, and the band sounded great!

Best things in life

I came across this picture in Derek Sivers blog (He is the founder of CD Baby) and I really like it:

Audition, radio spot

Yeeee-hah!!!

Great day....

After sleeping an insane amount yesterday, today was pretty eventful.

*Work

*Laundry

*Conversations with mom & Janet

*Audition for Extraordinary Ordinary at the Equity Center  - this made me realize how fun auditioning can be. I didn't have to wait for very long (I went later in the day and I was the last person they saw), and I just went in there and performed - I was able to live in that moment & share my talent - it felt great!

*I had an on-camera radio interview at Shovio w/ Leslie Gold & Jorge Marte. They made me feel so comfortable. Hopefully I'll have a clip up here soon - They played some of my music and I also sang a bit of "End of the Road" for them live. I had a lot of fun!!

*Great Bikram class.....always good, even if I have to take a lot of breaks like I did today :-)

Awesome day. Woo-hoo!!

Soul Summit

Went to Soul Summit in Ft Greene Park in the afternoon to meet up with Al and a couple of his friends.

DJ was spinning house/tribal music and lots of folks were just dancing....It was awesome....good people watching times....

Awesome summer thing to do....

Here is a video that I'm kind of obsessed with. Been seeing a lot of videos from Berklee students who are who are recording in the practice rooms....Reminds me of long nights writing and singing my heart out in the practice rooms there....I LOVE this video:

Weekend

has been pretty uneventful. Lots of sleeping/relaxing.

Hung out with my friend Demond Nason at his awesome apartment in Astoria.

He cooked some salmon and we watched "Inglorious Basterds," awesome movie! I love Quentin Tarantino!

Saturday I went to see my friend in a play at the Cringefest at the Producer's Club. Silly fun!!

American Idol + John Legend

Well the American Idol journey ended for me already today.

I did not get passed through to the judges.

Ken Warwick (executive producer) was on the fence with me.

They thought the first song was theatrical,

and then after the second song,

said I was good and they were sure I was great at what I do,

but lacked the charisma they were looking for for the show

(or something to that effect)

Of course I disagree when it comes to charisma.

I think I have plenty of that.

But it's out of my hands now.

I try to do a lot of praying lately,

which helps.

I only have so much control

and then I have to go with the flow.

So with this, I need to move on for now.

I have good things happening in my life.

I feel I am better equipped to hear "no" and take rejection.

More and more every day, 

stronger and stronger.

And I am GRATEFUL for that.

                                                         

I picked myself up and went to see John Legend in Coney Island.

Met my friend Charles Wood.

It was a free outdoor show and it was amazing....

He did a new song called "Dreams" (watch it below)

and some of my other favorites, including "Quickly," "Green Light," "Everybody Knows." 

The whole show was just so great....I had never seen him live.

Whether he's playing or just standing/sitting and singing, his voice and musicality is just tremendous.

And his presence.

And he's not bad looking. Not at all.....nope....

The band was awesome, and the way they weaved in some covers.

It was all seamless.

My FAVORITE moment was when he went into a bit of "So High." 

I love that song....so amazing...they really took it there!

And of course, for his first encore song, he did "Ordinary People" 

and had everyone singing along.

It was a beautiful night....I wandered around Coney Island a bit,

did some "food therapy" lol.... (ate my feelings)

and headed home.

Now watching So You Think You Can Dance.

Goodnight!

Brussel Sprouts

and mushrooms

grilling on top of my stove

Water & diet cream soda

Had a good talk with rapper Etcetera tonight.

We are going to be working on a song together.

Must sleep....

Goodnight!

Had a great audition for AMERICAN IDOL & then took a LONG nap.......

This is why I'm
          up
             till
                 the wee hours
                          of morning

Gonna watch Intervention and go to sleep.........

Money (that's what I want)

I think I am going to go with the old standby "Money" (thats what I want)" for my audition song tomorrow for American Idol, along with backups like "End of the Road," "What You Won't do for Love" and "My Cherie Amour."

Wish me luck!

Not sure who's reading my blog these days, so if you are, give me a shout. Leave me a comment now! Thanks!!!!! :-)

Ready for a new week

I feel like last week was a blur....
With tonsilitis.....lots of sleeping....relaxing... it was kinda nice
But I can't believe it's Monday again!!

Getting ready for American idol audition Tuesday. Hope it goes well...
Would really like to get through since I only have 2 more years that I'm eligible before I'm too old.

Took a nice Bikram class today...was pretty sedentary last week so it was good to get my heart going again.

Over & out

(Here's a new YouTube video)