Thursday, December 28, 2006
Christmas was a wonderful time!
My son Michio painted this painting,
had it matted and framed,
and presented to me as a Christmas gift.
© 2006 Michio Yves Ueda
Swallowtails Rest
15 X 20 cm. tempera on paper
This year was different from Christmases in the past.
I had a lot more time to shop, cook, bake,
make fudge, and create some seasonal digital art,
in preparation for the holidays-
Time that was spent in the past years traveling,
running frantically to catch last trains,
carrying heavy costumes, make-up, & music,
for my Christmas Shows,
was substituted this year,
with a decidedly less tense time...
Not that I don’t like the performing, I do-
But, I enjoyed the spontaneity of something new for me this holiday season:
A lighter agenda.
There was an impromptu jam session
at a neighborhood Christmas party I attended...
It featured a lovely pianist of the jazz persuasion,
Nao Suzuki,
myself on Resonator guitar and vocals,
my son Michio played the recorder,
and, a guy I didn't know was playing a shamisen.
We did "Greensleeves"...
Funny, when things are more relaxed,
you can see more clearly the things and people who are truly important in life,
and the friends you do have.
I had a good year in 2006.
It started with my birthday, on January 9th.
I shared my day with Michio,
as on the same day my son was declared an “adult” in Japan,
at his Seijinshiki event in the townhall...
I entered the 2006 Annual Art Print Exhibition,
at Lessedra Gallery in Sophia, Bulgaria, by invitation.
BIG thanks to Hiroshi, for helping me print my prints
I also painted my son’s portrait,
Michio is 20 this year,
as a gift to him on his birthday
to celebrate him becoming an “adult” in Japan.
My gig at B-Flat Akasaka in June was a success!
Colin Grafton, a fabulous blues harp man joined us up on the bandstand ...
I created 3 new Digital Art pieces in 2006.
I will enter them in the 2007 Art Print Show coming up next year.
Then, there was the gig at Getsuyokan,
that had me teamed up with some of my favorite musicians;
Keisaku Takahashi on piano,
Akio Ueda on tenor sax,
Canadian bassist Brent Nussey, ( who was for me a very pleasant surprise to finally get to work with)
and of course, the fabulous, Cecil Monroe on the drums.
We shared a lot of good music and laughs at that little place in the middle of nowhere.
Then, my trip to Los Angeles...
Meeting my new friend,
Young Hee, in person,
and staying with her and her family, is a nice memory!
Also, re-meeting Billy Mitchell, after many years,
and having a great show together at Cavallino’s.
It was such a pleasure to work with Billy, as well as with Kenny Elliot on drums, & Tomas Gargano on bass, Tony White on tenor.
I hope we will perform together again in 2007!
I also met Glenn Mitchell, from the LA JAZZ Scene
monthly newspaper.
Meeting some old friends in Southern Ca. while in town
was also a big event for me.
My dear Marilyn, drove all the way up from San Diego.
Also Pedy & Mike, & Debby & David, in Los Angeles.
It was a chance to catch up;
and find how out how we’ve changed,
and stayed the same.
My gigs at Half Tone Tachikawa...
I hope the owner of this club, Inada-san & myself,
continue to have a great working relationship.
He is a cool guy.
Of course, Halloween was a blast!
Thanksgiving, too!
I am thankful for my son Michio
for helping me keep afloat through the year!
Thanks to my family back home, who continue to support me
with their love through emails, phone calls, gifts, and cards.
Hopefully in the next year, we will meet !
Thanks to all my dear friends, you all know who you are!
Thanks to my readers, for giving a hoot ...
Which brings us to here, almost...
There are still 2 days left to this year!
Thanks to God,
for His love and guidance.
Please bring us continued good health,
and Bless the souls we've lost this year...
And if it wouldn't be too much to ask,
howsa 'bout throwin' a few gigs my way, next year?
Till next time... 'Mela
9:35 PM
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Merry Christmas!
Till Next Time... 'Mela
5:47 PM
Saturday, December 09, 2006
I received in the post my Art Prints,
and catalogue,
from my participation in the
2006 Annual Art Print Exhibition,
at Lessedra Gallery in Sophia, Bulgaria.
Georgi Lessedra owner, curator.
There were 525 artists shown this year.
I entered 3 pieces in the 2006 Art Print Show:
Tehani
Tian-mu, and Moss.
I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the work
submitted by the artists, and presented in this catalogue.
Every piece is important, separately,
but as a body of work, it is quite impressive.
I am proud to have been a part of it.
I was invited to participate next year, as well.
I look forward to one day going to Sophia, Bulgaria, to see this show in person...
Till next time... 'Mela
10:28 PM
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Just a short note
to my sister Debbie,
whose birthday just happens to be today...
Happy Birthday, Debbie!
Till Next Time...'Mela
12:40 AM
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Today I have some news...
First, my son Michio just finished his fall semester
at Temple University Japan.
He took two history courses as well as his major subjects
in Communications.
American History, and African American Studies.
I am very proud of his academic accomplishments,
of course.
But I am very happy to report that Michio's artwork,
along with 11 other students
will be featured on TUJ's 2007 desk calendar!
This will be his first printed art work!
I published his work here this past April,
when he created it.
Next news:
Billy Mitchell; pianist, composer, producer & teacher,
was in Tokyo for a quick look around.
Mitch and I performed together in Los Angeles,
at Cavallino's in Huntington Beach this past October.
photo : Glenn Mitchell of LA Jazz Scene
It was nice to see Mitch again...
Till next time...'Mela
8:00 PM
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Photo: Michio Yves Ueda
