Hey Fam...
I've been meaning to write more but the days are going by with lightening speed. We've been in Tokyo since Saturday with one night off. Sunday night we played Blue Note Yokohama and I found myself getting antsy at soundcheck. Why? Because I am performing with this AMAZING Italian band and the stage crew was Japanese. So I'm trying to listen to the band for my cues while trying to figure out the proper sign language for the sound engineer. I felt like a deer in headlights...lol...but it got much better after I got over feeling like the "unworldly" American. (Gotta make sure my children know more than one language because this world is SOOOO big!!!).
But here's the thing...I was more nervous walking up on that stage, given the legacy. Found myself holding back tears a couple of times because it was just too much. I felt completely overwhelmed...but I also felt at home. Tears of joy are simply an acknowledgment of how long and hard the journey has been to get here.
So while everyone at home in the States is celebrating Thanksgiving, I'll be performing our final 2 sets at the Blue Note Tokyo with Nicola Conte, Flavio Boltro, Pietro Lussu, Paulo Benedittini, Andrea Nunzi and Gaetano Partipilo, after a 5 night run. A world class band with international flair and a deep love for jazz. I will be thanking God, the Ancestors and Nicola for blesSING me with this opportunity and experience. To quote an ol' Spiritual..."Lawd knows I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now!!!"
Many blesSINGS and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
~ NP
I've been meaning to write more but the days are going by with lightening speed. We've been in Tokyo since Saturday with one night off. Sunday night we played Blue Note Yokohama and I found myself getting antsy at soundcheck. Why? Because I am performing with this AMAZING Italian band and the stage crew was Japanese. So I'm trying to listen to the band for my cues while trying to figure out the proper sign language for the sound engineer. I felt like a deer in headlights...lol...but it got much better after I got over feeling like the "unworldly" American. (Gotta make sure my children know more than one language because this world is SOOOO big!!!).
But here's the thing...I was more nervous walking up on that stage, given the legacy. Found myself holding back tears a couple of times because it was just too much. I felt completely overwhelmed...but I also felt at home. Tears of joy are simply an acknowledgment of how long and hard the journey has been to get here.
So while everyone at home in the States is celebrating Thanksgiving, I'll be performing our final 2 sets at the Blue Note Tokyo with Nicola Conte, Flavio Boltro, Pietro Lussu, Paulo Benedittini, Andrea Nunzi and Gaetano Partipilo, after a 5 night run. A world class band with international flair and a deep love for jazz. I will be thanking God, the Ancestors and Nicola for blesSING me with this opportunity and experience. To quote an ol' Spiritual..."Lawd knows I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now!!!"
Many blesSINGS and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
~ NP