I love this one. They were so energized, and the audience was right there. It’s a Pat Metheny chart: Song for Bilbao
Technorati Tags: csun, jazz, performance, live, video, canon, patmetheny, song for bilbao

Sticks let me tag along to a performance he did yesterday. This is Cerulean Sky, one of the more progressive and interesting pieces I’ve heard him play. I recorded the audio and video on my Canon camera and then transcoded it for the iPod touch before uploading it to Blip.tv. For a camera that’s mostly featured around still photos, I’m really happy with the audio quality. It’s certainly not comparable to running audio recordings through a mixer and recording directly to disk, but for a live performance in an auditorium, it is quite nice. Yes, the white balance isn’t quite the best, but it was, after all, live. Click through if you want to watch any of the other pieces they performed, or wait..because I’ll probably post them.

Technorati Tags: jazz, video, CSUN, big band, live performance

sneaky recording of rehearsal monday night.
Mobile post sent by Karoli using Utterz.  Replies.  

This is a jam, not a concert, so it’s looser and just the rhythm section. But still kind of nice and relaxing.

Dear Mommybloggers,

When I first started blogging, two groups emerged for me immediately: tech bloggers and mommybloggers. The first because I had no clue as to what I was doing and so looked to the ‘big blogger names’ as a guide; the second because their topics at least touched on my ADHD theme, despite the fact that I was actually a little bit apart from their demographic — older with a teen and preteen.

At the time, I had no idea that there was any kind of negativity attached to the term ‘mommyblogger’, and I use it in this post as a complimentary, not derogatory term, though there still seems to be a sense that the term is too limiting, too pigeonholed. Tonight on Twitter that very subject came up in this question:

“Tell me, is ‘Mommyblogger’ still a negative term in the Social Media space? Has it changed? Do you still look down? Be truthful.”

Your responses were swift and forceful, ranging from surprise that the term has ever been viewed negatively to yes, there still are those who view it as a negative term. And honestly, my surprise comes in the form of incredulity that anyone can put a negative to that term.

Jenn Satterwhite wrote a great post on BlogHer tonight, placing the question in the context of two other mommybloggers who have a high and respected profile in the blogosphere and the Momocrats’ smackdown of racist pigs yesterday. She applauds. So do I.

The value of a term like mommyblogger is this: It identifies a very powerful and vocal demographic — a group of thinking, tech-savvy, engaged women. Women committed today to raising their kids, but also raising their kids in the context of what it means to live in today’s world. Working moms, stay at home moms, self-employed moms, writer moms, political moms, religious moms, moms coping with autism, moms knitting, military moms, moms coping with their own illness while raising their kids — the gamut. Moms committed to community, both virtual and ‘real-life’, to others, and to service. That’s who you are, that’s who mommybloggers are.

The real benefit of being part of a larger community called ‘mommybloggers’ is the power that comes with the rise of collective voices. Power to change things. Power to be heard. Power to have a direct positive impact on the world, on products, on the environment, on the world our kids live in, the world we live in. It’s not a name; it’s a community and one you should be proud of.

So take it out and wear it, show it off, love it, own it. Isn’t it cool to have influence?

Technorati Tags: community, blogher, mommyblogger

Newsgang just Twittered Buddy Miles’ death of congestive heart failure at age 60. Buddy Miles was a rock and roll drummer with a distinct R&B flavor, who played with Jimi Hendrix back in the 60’s.

He was also the lead singing voice of the California Raisins, one of the best Claymation commercials ever (at least, in my humble opinion). He also sang with Carlos Santana’s group in the 80’s.

Drummers rarely take center stage, yet they can make or break a band. Listen to what Vinnie Coliauta does on Herbie Hancock’s “River” album with a pair of brushes and subtle licks. Buddy Miles was an excellent drummer and singer, yet remains unknown to almost everyone, except those who know drummers, or have aspiring drummers in the house. Another drummer’s heartbeat gone. May he rest in peace.

A little plug for NewsGang if you’re into political crystal-ball gazing…you can download the most recent show here, where we all speculate about which Democrat will win Ohio, who the running-mate might be, and whether or not it’s a good idea for Clinton and Obama to run on a joint ticket.

Technorati Tags: buddy miles, california raisins, drummers, jimi hendrix, santana

It’s time for something mellow to slide into the long weekend. At least, it is for me. The past few weeks seem to fly by but leave me breathless by Friday, as if time accelerated but everything else stayed in the same place. This is one of Joni Mitchell’s finest, at least, it is to me. Falling into the rhythm of the music slowed me down, put less urgency on everything, less frustration. I hope it does the same for you if you’re having that kind of week.

Technorati Tags: joni mitchell, night ride home, stress reduction

Sticks backstage with Herbie Hancock

Originally uploaded by drumsnwhistles

No one deserved that Grammy more than you, despite the quality of the others. Great music, incredible musicians and vision put together a classic. First time for any jazz album in 43 years, and no one better than you to win it.

Technorati Tags: herbie hancock, grammy, album of the year, river, joni letters

This is wild, I tell you! Instruments made from car parts, forged into what I think is one of the most innovative car commercials I’ve seen. Props to The Car Music Project!

h/t: Make Magazine