Where did we leave off ... end of August. Since then NJT (New Jazz Trio) has been playing fairly often. 2 gigs at Oryana a local "cafe" one of which was a wash out and we ended up inside with our outside pa system. It was not good. The next time we played went much better the weather co-operated and played for 2 hours. Dave and I played played the Trio as a Duo we did not have a drummer. After much discussion we decided not to use a drum machine turns out we didn't need one. As long as Dave gave me a solid "1" on each measure we were good to go. From that gig we also got a good paying private Party. Dave and I did play Rollin' Hills as Duo. In addition to our Trio, that really was a Duo, was contacted by the Cancer Society and asked NJT to play at there event. The first set we tried a drum machine that will be the last time. I use to kid Pete Murphy(drummer with Blue Shadow) about replacing him with a drum machine. A pretty hollow threat. September came along and NJT was asked to play the Fall Festival in Acme Mi. We still did not have a regular drummer so we thought we could bring a small kit an enlist a drummer from one of the other bands that were performing. As luck would have Pete was playing keys for a trio and Mark (played a couple of gigs with us) was playing drums. We were in good hands and played the set.
A Trio means 3 so we asked Fred Guetschow to play drums for us as a regular member of the band.
Fall turned to winter and with that a nice little gig at Espresso Bay. They were having a Ladies Night for downtown Christmas Shoppers. What made this different is that along with the regular sets there was to be Christmas Songs mixed in. So picked up a Christmas song book. Each song Dave (bassist) would ask what key do you want it in? I would tell him a key and off we would go. I suspect Dave wasn't looking at the music anyway. He sometimes just amazes me.
Our next performance was the Traverse City Opera House. OK we weren't headlining but we were the live music for the Starlets! I have always wanted to play at the Opera House so needless to say how excited I was when asked.
In addition to playing our sets we also backed Scott Para on a few Blue Brother Tunes. Someone in the balcony shot this on there phone. This was a great time. We held two practices and covered a bunch of songs that maybe done in the future.
We played Mr. Magic for the first time in a set it went well again a different friend in the crowd. Took this Video. Really just being a live Band its nice to get Emails from people in the audience.
Until next time .....
