Saturday, March 22, 2008

Gig at Q's 3/21/08

Last night I performed with Kymberly Jackson at Q's Lounge in Oakland, CA. Kymberly played flute and sang, I played keys, Mark Daniels was on guitar, Dante McClinton on drums and Dewey Tucker on bass. It was so much fun! It was a very freeform performance; meaning, we played music with freedom and spontaneous fun, listening to each other and creating a musical experience. I had a great time and the audience appeared to as well.

I'd started the day feeling a bit fatigued (I've been staying up way too late and yet still getting up relatively early... gotta break that habit). But as the day went along, my energy level rose, definitely a good thing!

It may be time to get a new gig rig. I currently do local gigs with a Roland keyboard controller and sound module, but whenever I play the controller, it feels so wimpy! I'm used to playing a great acoustic piano at home, so playing a keyboard with only modestly weighted keys just doesn't feel good. I bought the controller simply because it weighs less than a standard keyboard, yet gives me the 76 keys that I require as a minimum (for when I need to play classical music on the thing). I really, really, really don't want to lug around a big, heavy keyboard for local gigs, but I have to do something. Maybe there's a super lightweight keyboard out there (or controller that I can use with a laptop or sound module) with weighted keys that truly feels and sounds good to a dedicated pianist, like myself. All of the best keyboards I know about are very heavy. Any suggestions?

Thanks to my friends and family who attended the show:

Carla and William P.
Darlene C.
Tony W.
David A.
Leo R.
Phil W.
Charles B.
Vernon & Empress H.

I hope to see YOU at the next show! : >

Happy Easter and Spring Equinox!

Victoria
Music, art, education, prosperity, well-being, compassion, peace, joy and love!

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

March Performances

Hello friends,

March already??? Wow!! Today was a clear indication that spring is approaching: blue sky, warm temperature, bright sunshine. It was a Capri pant and sandals kind of day! I hope you're enjoying the weather where you are as much as I am here in lovely Northern California! : >

I've finally started composing music again! I hope to have a project completed before the end of summer. Wish me luck! I love what I've got so far! : >

I've got a couple of gigs coming up and another television appearance. Check it out!

Sat, Mar 15 7pm
"Antonia Venezia" at Pasta Gondola Restaurant Jazz / R&B
664 San Ramon Valley Blvd. Danville, CA 94526 | 925.820.1144

Sat, Mar 15 9pm HGTV
Victoria's music room gets a makeover on HGTV's "Color Splash"
In June of 2007, my home was selected for a room makeover by celebrity designer David Bromstad. Shortly after, I was hired to tour with Stevie Wonder, so that fact was incorporated into the show. David did a brilliant job with my music room, as you'll see if you watch the show!

Fri, Mar 21 8pm
Kymberly Jackson at Q's Lounge Jazz / R&B
Everett & Jones Barbeque • 126 Broadway Oakland, CA 94607 | 510.663.2350

Remember, I'm available for hire and have open slots in my teaching schedule! Please keep me in mind if you're looking for a pianist, keyboardist, accompanist, music coach or piano instructor.