I thought I’d be off and running with the start of the New Year, but I find myself thinking and moving in slow motion on these first days of January 2006. I don’t know whether that’s good or bad, but that’s how it is. I have much to do this week, too. John and I leave Sunday for New York City where we will attend the 33rd Annual IAJE Conference (International Association of Jazz Educators) and during which John will become one of the 2006 NEA Jazz Masters. The conference is huge (over 7000 people attend) and the NEA award is a tremendous honor.
The festivities will begin on Wednesday evening when John’s longtime client, Nancy Wilson, hosts the Gala dinner. Panels and such begin in earnest on Thursday — I’m especially hoping to catch Billy Taylor talking about his life with AB Spellman, and Ira Gitler’s onstage interview with Sonny Rollins.
Friday, the big NEA day, includes the Jazz Masters’ Luncheon, the invitation-only cocktail reception and the NEA Jazz Masters Awards Concert honoring Ray Barretto, Tony Bennett, Bob Brookmeyer, Chick Corea, Buddy DeFranco, Freddie Hubbard, and John Levy, MC’d by Ramsey Lewis and Nancy Wilson. If I can manage it, I’d also like to hear Dan Morgenstern interviewed by Steve Schwartz (before lunch) and Clark Terry interviewed by Nat Hentoff (between lunch and cocktails).
Saturday will be another big day for John as he will be attending the rehearsal of Vocal Legacy (his latest project – I will post more about that tomorrow), participate in a Jazz Masters Panel from 1-3 and then move onto the exhibition hall for a book signing hosted by MCG Jazz (3 pm in booth 358-359). Nancy Wilson, who also records on the MCG Jazz label will also be on hand to sign CDs. And then we will all be at the 6pm Vocal Legacy show featuring vocalist Clairdee and guitarist/singer Henry Johnson.
I guess I’d better rev up my engines.
Happy New Year to everyone, everywhere.