White Holland

As you all know the Netherlands is below sea level in almost all its territory, but that does not mean you can not see snow. Today it started snowing and one hour later was all white. Nice, eh? …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was born in a mountainous area near the coast and in my lifetime I have seen snow there almost every year, but never at sea level. So I never thought I could see the beach snow white. Well… it is possible. I saw in Scheveningen. Really Nice.

The only thing I dislike about snow is that it makes difficult the use of bicycles. I love cycling because you are going much faster than walking, and here in Holland all the streets are ready to move. Then…. I have to buy a sled!

Session at NRC

Yesterday I went to a new Session in Rotterdam in the “Nieuw Rotterdams Cafe”. A very spacious and nice place. Apparently the building was an old newspaper of Rotterdam that has been renovated four months ago to build this Cafe.

Is very large and has a restaurant, covered terrace, and even a disco-pub downstairs.

They are currently doing a jam session on Wednesdays. Also on Sundays, but only live music, without jam session.

I find it very interesting and important to see new sessions and meet other musicians because I think this is part of our work as musicians.

Playing with MEMO

This month I’m playing a lot with this project, which I spoke a bite last month.

This is the website of the project; www.memorabelemomenten.nl
Here you can find some videos to check out, if you feel like.

It basically consists of a project where children aged from 0 to 6 years old are visited weekly by different artists.

During the visit, about twenty minutes, children can hear different repertoires and listen how each instrument sounds. This “performance” is given the opportunity to have fun, learn and even try to play.

For me it is very enriching because the kids are always honest and with their expressions and feelings always I get positive feedback.

When I arrive at the school where I play, I give to the teachers a sheet with educational activities from my performance.
I find great this initiative and I think it’s an initiative that should be implemented in all countries.

Open Session in Rotterdam

Last Thursday Carpar van Wijk invited me to open the session on “Le Vagabond” in Rotterdam. It was a good session, with a good band. I realized that every city plays a different repertoires and it is very good to play with different people.

 

Xmas Holidays in Spain

Time flies. We are at Christmas. It’s amazing!.
It’s time to see and enjoy family and friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, here are some pictures of where I used to live. One thing I love is seeing the deep blue sky and the sun shining. Who does not ?….
I was born in this city (Alcoy), which is surrounded by mountains 50 km from Alicante and 100 km from Valencia. Therefore, this is very close to the beach, which is fantastic.

 

Spain celebrates the Procession of the Wise Men (Los Reyes Magos), instead of Santa Claus. The Wise Men brought gifts to Jesus and the children in the 5th of January.

Attached so you can see another video of the celebration. There you will see how the men go up the stairs to the balcony with gifts for children. It seems a very beautiful and magical celebration for all children. I’m always excited to see how children live this celebration.

My New Guitar

After some time trying many guitars, I decided to buy the guitar D’Aquisto DQ-JZJazz line. Sounds great! .. Almost gives the feeling of playing an acoustic guitar. I even think that you can play classical guitar pieces getting a nice sound. I bought a cable also very good, the VOVOX sonorus, which makes a big difference because it highlights more frequencies.

 

Sushi Dinner

Last Sunday some friends invited me to celebrate Christmas. We ate very tasty sushi. I have not tried many Japanese specialties, and I have to say that the sushi was very good and it was worth a try.

Benjamin Herman Quartet

Benjamin Herman is a good Dutch saxophonist and played in the Bimhuis on Saturday night. He played with his quartet: Hammond B3, drums, saxophone and guitar.

I expected to find Jesse van Ruller in the guitar, but instead played with a guitarist who I did not know, who also played very well.

Benjamin amazes me how he manage the band and his personality in the stage. I think it’s a good leader, who always leaves his musicians to show them in their solos.
I also realized that Benjamin has enough fans who will see it wherever act. Music to move with a lot of rhythm, nice!!

Simon Rigter Playing with students

Today I had a background music concert of guitar and saxophone in Amersfoort, and after we went  to see another concert in coffee Cremers. Simon Rigter played, a saxophonist quite famous in the Netherlands, with students from the conservatory.

I think it’s great that teachers play with students and share their experience. I think it is easier to play with people who have a higher level than oneself, and it is also very motivating.

Jonathan Kreisberg Quartet

Last Saturday I went to see a concert by the New Yorker guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg in the Lantaren in Rotterdam. He performed with his quartet / quintet. I say quintet because the saxophone also played piano. Incredible!!!
Jonathan is very much in the current New York scene and it was interesting to hear his compositions and his wonderful sound.
Personally is not my favorite guitarist, but I have to say that his harmonic concepts are very interesting. In some ways reminds me to Kurt Rosenwinkel when he improvise.
After  the concert he sold some cd´s in the stage, so I could talk a little with him. He told us he was doing an European tour, and was being exhausting because they can not sleep for most concerts, flights, trains, etc..
It is curious that many people think that musicians do not work hard. I guess that’s why we do what we like, but that does not mean we do not work, true?…