GIG #59 - The Smell of Twelve Shofars

GIG #59 @ Auditorio Nacional de Música, Madrid, Spain. Select repertoire:
Patagonia - Ward-Bergeman
Tekiyah - Golijov
Ayre - Golijov

GIG #58 - Spaceship Chandelier

GIG #58 @ Auditorio Nacional de Música, Madrid, Spain. Select repertoire:
Youth Without Youth Suite - Golijov
Agonia - Golijov
Azul - Golijov

GIG #57 - Choir Girls

GIG #57 @Auditorio Nacional de Música, Madrid, Spain. Select repertoire:
Youth Without Youth Suite - Golijov
Agonia - Golijov
Azul - Golijov

GIG #56 - Reconnecting with Joey

GIG #56 @Auditorio Nacional de Música, Madrid, Spain. Select repertoire:
Youth Without Youth Suite - Golijov
Agonia - Golijov
Azul - Golijov

GIG #55 - Temp Trax

GIG #55 @ Cine Dore, Madrid, Spain. Pre-show for screening of Francis Ford Coppola's TETRO. Select repertoire:
Cherogape - Barboza
Federal - Ward-Bergeman

GIG #54 - Two Chords and Great Energy

GIG #54 @ Hospital del Nino Jesus, Madrid, Spain. Select repertoire:
Hey Good Lookin' - Williams
Come Back - Ward-Bergeman
Feira de Mangaio - Sivuca

GIG #53 - The Lungs of Madrid

GIG #53 @ El Retiro "The Lungs of Madrid", Madrid, Spain. Select repertoire:
Jeanette - Viseur
Federal - Ward-Bergeman
Besame Mucho - Velasquez

GIG #52 - Seven Seas

GIG #52 @ Seven Seas Restaurant, Milford, CT. Select repertoire:
The Wind Cries Mary - Hendrix
Train Take My Pain Away - Ward-Bergeman
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #51 - The Surreal Forest

GIG #51: John Luther Adam's Inuksuit @ Park Avenue Armory, NYC, New York.

GIG #50 - In the Likeness of a Human

GIG #50 @ Westfield Connecticut Post Shopping Center, Milford, CT. Select repertoire:
Last Call - Ward-Bergeman
Chamame Parisien - Barboza
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #49 - Elementary

GIG #49 @ Pheasants Landing, Hillsborough, NJ w/ CTP. Select repertoire:
Must Be Time - Ward-Bergeman
Candy from Strangers - Ward-Bergeman
Fools I Love - Ward-Bergeman

GIG #48 - Groupies

GIG #48 @ Black Bear Saloon, Milford, CT. Select repertoire:
Drinkin Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee - McGhee
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #47 - Sesame Street Plus

GIG #47 @ Westfield Trumbull Shopping Center, Trumbull, CT. Select repertoire:
Federal - Ward-Bergeman
When You're Smiling - Shay/Fisher/Goodwin
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #46 - Turtlestein

GIG #46 @ Genesis Multimedical Center, Towson, MD. Select repertoire:
Country Roads - Denver
When You're Smiling - Shay/Fisher/Goodwin
Strange Loop Improvisations

TURTLE

GIG #45 - Letting Go

GIG #45 @ Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD. Select repertoire:
One More Step - Carter
Chamame Parisien - Barboza
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #44 - Oh My Darling

GIG #44 @ Clementine Cafe, Harrisonburg, VA. ; Select repertoire:
Flambee Montalbanaise - Viseur
Dan Tucker - Trad.
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #43 - Here to Play

GIG #43 @ Floyd's Country Store, Floyd, VA. Select repertoire:
Precious Lord - Dorsey/Nelson
Cotton Fields Back Home - Leadbelly
Hobo Heaven - Ward-Bergeman/Seznec

GIG #42 - Conducive to the Nature

GIG #42 @ Madd Corner's Coffee, Tea and Me, King, NC. Select repertoire:
Last Call - Ward-Bergeman
Libertango - Piazzolla
One More Step - Carter

GIG #41 - Cutting the Vanderbilts

GIG #41 @ Luella's Bar-B-Que, Asheville, NC. Select repertoire:
Come Back - Ward-Bergeman
Wham Bam - Ward-Bergeman/Seznec
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #40 - Take Your Guitar to Clarksville

GIG #40 @ Natalie Jane's Cafe, Clarksville, GA. Select repertoire:
Must Be Time - Ward-Bergeman
Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Armstrong/Green Day
Prelude II, Book I, WTC - Bach

GIG #39 - Bo, Horatio, and Alpine Helen

GIG #39 @ Cafe La Piazza, Helen, GA. Select repertoire:
I'm in the Mood for Love - McHugh/Fields
When You're Smiling - Shay/Fisher/Goodwin
Over the Rainbow - Arlen/Harburg

GIG #38 - The Road Changes a Man

GIG #38 @ Good 'Ol Days Irish Pub, Cumming, GA. Select repertoire:
Little Wing - Hendrix
Candy from Strangers - Ward-Bergeman
Sultans of Swing - Knopfler

GIG #37 - Tomorrow is Cumming

GIG #37 @ Signature Health Care, Gainesville, FL. Select repertoire:
Has Anybody Seen My Gal? - Henderson/Lewis/Young
Hey Good Lookin' - Williams
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #36 - Good Friends and Good Beer

GIG #36 @ Chiappini's, Melrose, FL. Chili cook off fundraiser for Melrose Public Library w/vocalist Yulene Velasquez. Select repertoire:
Wine Spo-dee-o-dee - McGhee
Yo Soy - Piero
Nostalgia - Petit

GIG #35 - Simple Isn't Easy

GIG #35 @ Kids Safe Zone, American Legion 194, St. Augustine, FL. Select repertoire:
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #34 - Turning Off The Lights

GIG # 34 @ San Marco Terrace Rehabilitation And Care, St. Augustine, FL. Select repertoire:
Let Me Call You Sweetheart - Friedman/Whitson
You Made Me Love You - Monaco/McCarthy
April Showers - Silvers/De Sylva
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #33 - Standing On Doors

GIG #33 @ The Old Library, Jacksonville, FL. Select repertoire:
Strange Loop Improvisations
Federal - Ward-Bergeman
Feira de Mangaio - Sivuca

GIG #32 - Dancing In The Streets

GIG #32 @ St. Francis House, St. Augustine, FL. Select repertoire:
Sassie Mae - Memphis Slim
Precious Lord - Dorsey/Allen
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #31 - After Hours Drop

GIG #31 @ Shands Hospital, University of Florida, Gainesville. Select repertoire:
Sonatina in C, 1st Movement - Clementi
Take the "A" Train - Strayhorn
Flambee Montalbanaise - Viseur
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #30 - The Slave Ship

GIG #30 @ Gainesville Correctional Facility, FL. Select repertoire:
Amazing Grace - Newton
Must Be Time - Ward-Bergeman
One More Step - Carter
Strange Loop Improvisations

Check out The Slave Ship: A Human History by Marcus Rediker

GIG #29 - Raccoon Chili

GIG #29 @ Keystone Heights Farmer's Market, FL. Select repertoire:
The Wind Cries Mary - Hendrix
Onde Estao os Tamborins - Caetano
Trenzinho do Caipira - Villa Lobos

GIG #28 - Zenith

GIG #28 @ Zenith School, Kissimmee, FL. Select repertoire:
Strange Loop Improvisations
Little Wing - Hendrix

GIG #27 - Kick That Devil

GIG #27 @ Kickin' Devil Cafe, Gainesville, FL. Select repertoire:
St. James Infirmary Blues - Trad.
Chamame Parisien - Barboza
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #26 - Hare Krishna Bo Diddley

GIG #26 @ Union Street Farmer's Market, Gainesville, FL. Select repertoire:
Dan Tucker - Trad.
Last Call - Ward-Bergeman
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #25 - Lightning Salvage Tornado

GIG #25 @ Lightnin' Salvage, Gainesville, FL.  Select repertoire:
Strange Loop Improvisations
Wham Bam - Ward-Bergeman/Seznec
Y Tu Que Has Hecho? - Delfin

Satchel's Pizza / Lightnin' Salvage is one of the most unique places I have ever been to. There are bells hanging from the ceiling, magical doors, colored lights, a junk fountain, a tree house and a host of other things right out of my dreams. There is also a lite-brite. I was truly at home with my GIG 365 stage.
Earlier in the day I clanged some of my cowbells at the Coalition to End the Meal Limit NOW! protest during the mayor's speech at the hippodrome in Gainesville. I met one of the organizers at GIG #24 @ 8th Ave. Bike Shop & Cafe. It was a thought provoking scene as two men inside an art gallery with their dog (who was also in one of the fine art photos hanging in the window) watched the homeless being served food on the sidewalk, most of who then took their food under the steps on the side of the hippodrome to take shelter from the rain...further on in the view from the gallery the protest was chanting and marching away in the front of the hippodrome in a very orderly fashion, and was made up of what I assessed to be very few homeless (because they were too busy eating!!!)

GIG #24 - To Be Amazed

GIG #24 @ 8th Ave. Bike and Coffee House, Gainesville, FL.  Select repertoire:
Cotton Fields Back Home - Leadbelly
Candy from Strangers - Ward-Bergeman
Prelude II, Book I, WTC - Bach
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #23 - $23.23

GIG #23 @ Waldo Farmer's and Flea Market, Waldo, FL.  Select repertoire: 
Dan Tucker - Trad. 
Federal - Ward-Bergeman
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #22 - The Other Side of Orlando

GIG #22 @ Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.  Select repertoire:
Strange Loop Improvisations 
Jingle Bells - Pierpont

GIG #21 - Tuning In

GIG #21 @ Devereux, Melbourne, FL. Select repertoire:
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #20 - Buddha Stick

GIG #20 @ House of Joe, Melbourne, FL. Select repertoire: 
Flambee Montalbanaise - Viseur
Come Back - Ward-Bergeman 
One More Step - Carter
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #19 - Loud Enough To Be Heard, Quiet Enought To Be Ignored

GIG #19 @ Brewbabies, Cape Coral, FL. Select repertoire:
Bring Me Flowers While I'm Living - Wheatstraw
April Showers - Silvers/De Sylva
Take Five - Desmond
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #18 - Lite-Brite

GIG #18 @ Sacred Grounds, Tampa, FL. Select repertoire:
Strange Loop Improvisations 
Peasant Under Grass - Ward-Bergeman

GIG #17 - Donuts and Dancing

GIG # 17 @ Love Bugs Donuts and Bakery, West Melbourne, FL. Select repertoire:
Jump in the Line - Kitchener
Paisanito - Flores 
Georgia On My Mind - Carmichael
Happy Birthday - Hill

GIG #16 - Wheelchair Willy and Krip

GIG #16 @ Churchill's Pub, Miami, FL. Select repertoire:
Strange Loop Improvisations 
Los Suenos - Piazzolla

GIG #15 - Giant Lobster Capsizes Canoe

GIG #15 @ Rain Barrel, Islamorada, FL.  Select repertoire:
Minute Waltz - Chopin
Prelude II, Book I, WTC - Bach
Cotton Fields Back Home - Leadbelly
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #14 - Wet Camera

GIG #14 @ Sweat Records, Miami, FL. Select repertoire:
Federal - Ward-Bergeman
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #13 - Pooped Out

GIG #13 @ the Rum Barrel, Key West, FL with Tony Roberts. Select repertoire:
Centerfold - Roberts
Recitation of The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
Train Take My Pain Away - Ward-Bergeman
I played in Tony's band Mindflow when I was living in Boston during the 90's. Check out his website here: Mindflowmusic.com

GIG #12 - Shaman

GIG # 12 @ Mallory Square/Coffee Plantation/The Porch, Key West, FL. Select repertoire:
Feira de Mangaio - Sivuca
Libertango - Piazzolla
She's Too Fat - MacLean/Richardson

GIG #11 - Good Friends and Good Times

GIG #11 @ Island Dogs, Key West, FL with Tony Roberts. Select repertoire: 
Better Place - Roberts
Taste of Alcohol - Roberts 
Scarbelly (Strange Loop) - Ward-Bergeman
I played in Tony's band Mindflow when I was living in Boston during the 90's.  Check out his website here:  Mindflowmusic.com

GIG #10 - Frolicking with the Spaniards in the Swamps

GIG #10 @ Little Bar Restaurant, Goodland, FL.  Select repertoire:
Fools I Love - Ward-Bergeman
Come Back - Ward-Bergeman
Orange Blossom Special - Rouse
Closed the show backing up Raiford Starke performing Orange Blossom Special.

GIG #9 - ESTA in Caracas

GIG #9 @ Joanie's Blue Crab Cafe, Ochopee, FL. Select repertoire:
Lena - Ward-Bergeman 
Hey Good Lookin' - Williams 
Under the Boardwalk - Young/Resnick
Strange Loop Improvisations

GIG #8 - Virgen Coromoto

GIG 8 @ the wedding ceremony of Miguel Angel Serrano Jacono and Liseth Yereli Laguado Iturrate, Caracas, Venezuela with vocalist Yulene Velasquez. Select repertoire: 
Bridal Chorus - Wagner
Wedding March - Mendelssohn
Ave Maria - Bach/Gounod

GIG #7 - Guitar God

GIG #7 @ Taima Pizzeria Cafe Concert, Caracas, Venezuela with Biella Da Costa and band. Select repertoire:
Candy from Strangers - Ward-Bergeman/Omar/Barrett
Mystery Train - Parker/Phillips
Think - Franklin/White
Little Wing - Hendrix
Band: Alvaro Falcón - guitar
Carlos "Nene" Quintero - percussion
Victor Mestas - keyboards
Miguel Antonio de Vincenzo - drums
Edwin Arellano - bass

GIG #6 - Blowing Up Balloons

GIG #6 @ Hospital Domingo Luciani, Caracas, Venezuela with vocalist Yulene Velasquez. Select repertoire:
Trenzinho do Caipira - Villa Lobos
Venezuela - Herrero/Armentero
Choo Choo Ch'Boogie - Darling/Horton/Gabler

GIG #5 - A Dose of Venezuela

GIG #5 @ Hogar Abuelos Virgen de Coromoto, Caracas, Venezuela with vocalist Yulene Velasquez. Select repertoire:
Federal - Ward-Bergeman
El viejo puente en La Pastora - Gerry Weil
Ingrid's journey towards opening up the house she grew up in to care for seniors began when her father became ill with Alzheimer's disease years ago.

GIG #4 - New Friends

GIG #4 @ Hogar Edad de Oro, Caracas, Venezuela with vocalist Yulene Velasquez. Select repertoire:
Y Tu Que Has Hecho? - Delfin
Flambee Montalbanaise - Viseur
Los Suenos - Piazzolla

GIG #3 - Pasta Shakers

GIG #3 @ Hogar Bambi, Caracas, Venezuela with vocalist Yulene Velásquez. Select repertoire:
Trenzinho do Caipira - Villa Lobos
Chamame Parisien - Barboza
Onde Estao os Tamborins - Caetano

Hogar Bambi, a non-profit private Venezuelan Civil Association, is focused on the total care of under nine year old children who are deprived of their family environment. Click here for more information. Donation information at the bottom of their page.

GIG #2 - One More Step

GIG #2 @ Santuario de Betania, Miranda, Venezuela with vocalist Yulene Velásquez. Select repertoire:
One More Step - Carter
Soy Yo - Piero
Yawheh, the Faithful One - Schutte
Nostalgia - Petit

GIG #1 - Welled Up

GIG #1 @ Corpus Christi Church, La Urbina, Caracas, Venezuela with vocalist Yulene Velásquez. Select repertoire:
Ave Maria - Bach/Gounod
Esta Bella Noche - Galián
Precious Lord - Dorsey/Allen
Venezuela - Herrero/Armentero

"Warm Up" GIG

MJWB performing Candy from Strangers on a "warm up" gig for GIG 365 at Hog Heaven Bar & Grill in Caracas, Venezuela, December 30, 2010.
Featuring the Biella da Costa band:
Alvaro Falcón - guitar
Carlos "Nene" Quintero - percussion
Victor Mestas - keyboards
Carlos Sanoja - bass
Miguel Antonio de Vincenzo - drums

Gig 365 Statement

Short is the little time which remains to thee of life. Live as on a mountain.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

The journey of creating music with people in a live setting is the closest I have come to experiencing a universal truth on a consistent basis. While the music usually has a personal meaning for each person involved in experiencing it, everyone shares in the witnessing of its creation through the act of collective listening.

I have reached a point in my life where it is time to take deeper and more mindful steps along the road I have been traveling since I first started creating and performing music as a child. For me, music has become a vehicle and facilitator in the search for a greater truth about ourselves.

Almost everybody walks around with a vast burden of imaginary limitations inside his head. While the burden remains, personal success is as difficult to achieve as the conquest of Everest with a sack of rocks tied to your back.
J. H. Brennan, author

So why 365 days?

24 hours is one day. A day represents one complete rotation of our planet earth on its axis. 365 days represent one complete revolution of the earth around the sun. We call this complete orbit a year. All of our lives are measured in years. The seasons, birthdays, and holidays come around every year, without fail. Perhaps we live in circles of 365 degrees, not 360?

I believe that we carry meaningful experiences within our flesh, our words, our actions. We carry meaningful people within our hearts. Creating music in diverse settings with people from a wide variety of backgrounds over 365 consecutive days will be a journey of discovery. The music will reflect the experiences and cumulative energy gathered over the year. My hope for the audience (whom I consider collaborators), other musicians who participate, and myself is that this journey will lead to an increased understanding of the nature of music, humanity, and individual identity.

It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.
Edmund Hillary (first to successfully climb Mount Everest in 1953)