Posted on Nov 30, 2015 in Updates
This post’s a bit lengthy, but if you’re really into it, subscribe to my newsletter. I get much more personal in those.
Resi
dency Ending
All good things must come to an end. We will be finishing out almost 3 years in residence at Pearl Wine Co. this month. You only have one more chance to hear us on December 18.
I cannot express what a joy it has been to explore my music there and grow as a musician. Many thanks to the owner, Leora, for such an incredible run!
Project Overcome Fear
Remember my 2015 “Project Overcome Fear” video series on my Facebook page?
A few people asked me why I opted for Facebook over YouTube. YouTube now claims perpetual ownership of any content uploaded, so no.
Plus, this is Project Overcome Fear, not Project Exhibitionist. If you wanna see it, like my page. Likers gonna like.
I’m Finally Recording!
Thanks to all of you who contributed to my campaign to raise money for my album. Because I did not reach the minimum amount I needed for it to be worth offering the perks (daughter of an accountant), I took a few months to recalibrate.
In that process, the song list and theme changed to be more honest with the here and now. I’ve decided to separate this album from Convert Augustine. A lot has happened in one year, and I think now is the time to express it without tagging on to a much older story. We will begin December 18th!
Of course, if any of you who offered to help before still want to contribute financially, I won’t turn it down… 😉
Liturgical Psalm Project
In June of 2014, I gave myself a compositional and devotional challenge: to musically set every Responsorial Psalm on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation for the entire 3-year Catholic liturgical cycle.This comes out to about 65 settings a year, so I figured I could use it as a means of personal prayer 1-2 times a week. I started mid-way through Year A, and I’m so amazed to say I just finished the entirety of Year B!
So into Advent of Year C and continuing the fruitful exercise. There’s something to be said for discipline on weeks I feel I have nothing, only to listen back a month later with understanding that I couldn’t hear it at the time, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t there.
New Orleans Vocal Arts VOCE
One of the most surreal and ecstatic moments of this year was when I was accepted into the small ensemble of VOCE, a subset of the New Orleans Vocal Arts Chorale. As Loyola Artists in Residence, NOVA Chorale is under the direction of conductor, Dr. Meg Frazier, whom every choral singer and conductor I’ve met aspires to be.
We will have a few concerts next year, including one that is sure to lift the spirits in this horrible time of world and national conflict, entitled Pace, or “peace/respect.”
Read More
Posted on Apr 15, 2015 in Campaign, Media, Updates
I rarely post twice in 2 months, but I have some big news that I’ve got to reiterate. If you’re short on time, please just click here to watch the 58 second video.
For those of you who don’t know, I am raising money to record the fully composed and orchestrated sequel album of Convert Augustine, I’m calling Consummate Augustine. It’s been done for a while. I just need to get it recorded. So guess what? I’m crowdfunding.
For those of you (super generous) who have already given THANK YOU! I only have another month to reach the minimal recording cost (for musicians, producer, studio, etc.) that will allow me to get started.
That means, if I don’t reach the minimum goal by May 17, those who are counting on receiving their chosen “perks” will not be able to receive them, and I will have to refund them. BUT, if we reach it early, I can start sending out the perks early…
Here are some of the “perks”:
- Choose-Your-Own Adventure Video Series
- Singing Telegram
- A full song I write just for you
- Personalized Tour of New Orleans.
- Music Lessons
- Bound Scores of the Albums
- Time in the Studio
- Thank You and Executive Credit
- Home Concerts
- All people who contribute $25 or more will get the dual, digital album of Convert Augustine and Consummate Augustine.
Asking for money is never easy, and I know you’re not all busting at the seams. So if you can’t give, keep it on the tip of your tongue to others we know? I don’t have everyone’s info.
It’s weird and humbling to not be in control over the fate of this album. I hope you can help.
Read More
Posted on Mar 17, 2015 in Media, Updates
Finally a New Album?
I bit the bullet and started an IndieGogo Campaign with lots of stuff to buy to fund a new album (including presales of the actual album).
I will finally record this long-awaited sequel only if this campaign reaches its goal in the next 2 months. So check it out, and tell your generous friends ASAP!
Fridays at Pearl Wine Co.
Thanks to the generosity of the owner, in addition to my regular Friday-night residency at Pearl Wine Co. (8:30-10:30pm), first Fridays of the month now feature my Rhythmic Tricks.
We’ll still do my originals and arrangements every week, but the first Fridays bring a heavier version. Up-and-comer Brad Webb is the steady rock on drums, while we experiment with new sounds for the layers above him.
The 2nd week of Jazz Fest, Jason Isaac will be coming in from New York to sub for him while his old pal from Afroskull, Bill Richards, holds it down on bass.
Video Series on Facebook
Some of you are familiar with my aversion to cameras. To conquer my fear, I have launched a video series on Facebook. Once a month I put up a home video of me performing.
To witness this year-long transformation from ‘fraidy cat to maybe just cat, like my Facebook page.
(Shout out to my piano teacher, Meghan Swartz!)
Read More
Posted on Oct 8, 2014 in Updates
Exciting news!
My full band will be taping live at the Old U.S. Mint on Saturday, November 8 from 8-9:30pm. I need you to come be a part of it: make some noise, and keep us upbeat.
My love for the early ’60s lounge movement will shine through my use of jazz harmony, syncopation, groove changes, and odd meters and phrasing.
It will be primarily my compositions (new stuff!) with a few of my signature arrangements to ground the listeners in a bit of the familiar.
With the help of Cori Walters and Brad Webb, our percussion section will be so groovy, your socks might fall off.
Joe Ashlar‘s extensive synth library will make up for the fact that we don’t have an orchestra to play with as the big budgets allowed back in the day. Don’t worry. It’s tasteful, and he’ll play some real piano.
If you haven’t heard Georgi Petrov yet, you will be searching him out after hearing him on this show. He and Trey Boudreaux (whom I play with every Friday) lay it down as if they were one.
Essentially, what I’m saying is this show will be really special. Come out and see for yourselves.
Buy Tickets Here
Read More
