It always amazes me about performing in Europe that one can present the most outside and challenging sounding music in a setting that in completely bucolic, country-like and at least on the surface, seemingly unsophisticated. Playing duo with Austrian drum master, Wolfgang Reisinger in towns that I cannot even pronounce in his country, it is heartening to see the local folks enjoy the music so much. Try that in America!!

IASJ MEETING:UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
For the 16th meeting of the International Association of Schools of Jazz, we were in the States for the third time at the University of Louisville. (Previous meetings held at the New School in New York and the Berklee College in Boston.) With representatives and students from 20 countries including Argentina, Russia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Israel, Australia, the U.S. and all of Europe, the level was incredibly high as was the camaraderie. We had excellent ensemble concerts and jam sessions, with one of these jams taking place on a boat cruising the Ohio River on a beautiful southern night. It is absolutely astounding to see how the high the level of creativity and energy is coming from everywhere these days. It’s hard to not take it for granted, but the power of this music is very strong indeed. I want to thank mo old friend Mike Tracy for doing such a wonderful job of organization. Since this is also the home base for Jamey Aebersold’s annual workshops and enterprises, we had the pleasure of having David Baker, Jamey and pianist Harry Pickens deliver very lively and interesting lectures. Next summer we will be in the beautiful medieval city of Siena, Italy hosted by the Associazone di Siena for the third time which also coincides with their 30th anniversary. If you are interested in more info on the IASJ, go to my web site and click on that section appearing on the menu page: www.davidliebman.com/lieb

PLANE TICKETS-BEWARE!! WATCH
Two things just happened to me concerning airline tickets that I should’ve been aware of and want to tip my fellow travelers to.
1-I received a ticket upon checking in at Louisville airport which included a transfer in Philadelphia. I didn’t look at the ticket but when I got to the gate in Philly, it was brought to my attention (and great surprise) that the ticket was actually a receipt and not the actual ticket. The clerk could’ve barred me but she was cool. Lesson: look at your ticket when you receive it to check they gave you the correct one (even if it is 5AM !!)
2-I went to pick up a pre paid ticket in Paris upon my arrival there, even though the flight was a few days off. Yes, the ticket was physically at the Austrian Air counter but they wouldn’t give it to me (security they said) without the following from the person who paid for it: copy of passport, copy of credit card and a letter authorizing me to receive the ticket. Of course at 7AM I couldn’t contact the person who paid for it to fax that material at the time. I did get it done the next day and picked up the ticket before the flight but imagine if I hadn’t gone earlier to pick up the pre paid and waited till I got to the airport. They could’ve said that without these documents, I can’t get my ticket and that would be that. Lesson:pick up pre paid, or whatever is waiting for you at a counter in the airport BEFORE the day of departure.

RECOMMENDED
Movie:Keeping Up with The Steins This is truly a hilarious movie about the rite of passage that most Jewish boys take at age thirteen which is their Bar Mitzvah. I remember aspects of mine like it was yesterday. In fact it was the first time I played tenor, sitting in with the band, playing “I’m in the Mood For Love” which I had learned through the old combo orks book in the neighborhood school where I took my beginning lessons, Bromley Studios in Brooklyn. The Bar Mitzvah is a big thing for the family and this movie absolutely pins it down with passion and warmth.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
July-August: Chromatic Workshop at East Stroudsburg University, PA; performance with Quest (Beirach, Hart and McClure) at the Marciac Festival in France; “Live at the Lighthouse” (Elvin Jones) concerts with Petter Wettre, Gene Perla, Scott Newman at the Oslo Jazz Festival, Tromso and Vadso, Norway; Celebrating Elvin Jones with Delfayo and Jason Marsalis at Yoshis, Oakland, California; performance with McCoy Tyner at the Caramoor Festival, NY; lecture and performance at the Asia Society commemorating Hurricane Katrina, New York.
(Go to local sources for specific dates)

Peace
Lieb