http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:10:53 GMT http://bandzoogle.com http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=2012487 The internet is an amazing resource for musicians like us to be able to share our music. &nbsp;One of our latest ventures is <a href="http://www.jango.com" target="_new">Jango Radio. &nbsp;We have been gaining new fans from all over the world with three of our original tunes that Jango has approved for airplay. &nbsp;It is very cool to see who is listening and becoming fans from all over. &nbsp;We will still be plugging away trying to sell CD's online and at our shows, but it is great to be able to &quot;distribute&quot; our music via the web. &nbsp;Thanks for the support. Jango Radio.  We have been gaining new fans from all over the world with three of our original tunes that Jango has approved for airplay.  It is very cool to see who is listening and becoming fans from all over.  We will still be plugging away trying to sell CD's online and at our shows, but it is great to be able to "distribute" our music via the web.  Thanks for the support.]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:10:53 GMT 377B96C227A999A01969334BDB30D06B http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=1858096 &nbsp;It has been a little over a month since we put together a CD compilation of original tunescalled &quot;Out and About&quot;. &nbsp;We are thrilled that so many people have downloaded the CD. &nbsp;Lots of you have told us you like the CD and have been sharing our download link with your friends. &nbsp;We have decided to extend the free download offer until the end of March and look forward to sharing our music with more friends, old and new. Sat, 10 Mar 2012 10:08:51 GMT EDFD4164F61CEE869C6CFD818552D677 http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=1749329 We felt it was time to say thanks to our fans and hopefully gain some new ones this year with a &quot;free or pay what you like&quot; <a target="_new" href="./freedownload.cfm">album download. &nbsp;We know alot of artists have gone down this path and we wanted to jump in too. &nbsp;Digital downloads have some legal and licensing implications, so all the tunes on our download page are ones that we own the rights to because we wrote them, except for Amazing Grace, which is in the public domain. &nbsp;We encourage you to &quot;help yourself&quot;, but we sure would appreciate it if you would spread the word on our behalf. &nbsp;Of course we would be thrilled if everyone checked out our latest CD <a target="_new" href="./cds.cfm">&quot;Quintesential Coffee&quot; while they are at it. &nbsp; album download.  We know alot of artists have gone down this path and we wanted to jump in too.  Digital downloads have some legal and licensing implications, so all the tunes on our download page are ones that we own the rights to because we wrote them, except for Amazing Grace, which is in the public domain.  We encourage you to "help yourself", but we sure would appreciate it if you would spread the word on our behalf.  Of course we would be thrilled if everyone checked out our latest CD "Quintesential Coffee" while they are at it.  ]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:55:00 GMT 2734030EFB697AD7ABA7D0263EE75486 http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=1433101 &nbsp;We played an intetresting gig last night. &nbsp;It was a <a target="_new" href="http://www.fveventshow.ca/">gala for about 125 professional event planners. &nbsp;The theme for the evening was that of taking a flight and the ballroom was decked out with all things airplane. &nbsp;The MC for the evening played the role of a pilot making a series of inflight announcements. &nbsp;He repeatedly talked about having great live jazz &nbsp;during the flight. &nbsp;The name of our band was mentioned over and over again. &nbsp; It was defintely airtime deluxe. &nbsp; gala for about 125 professional event planners.  The theme for the evening was that of taking a flight and the ballroom was decked out with all things airplane.  The MC for the evening played the role of a pilot making a series of inflight announcements.  He repeatedly talked about having great live jazz  during the flight.  The name of our band was mentioned over and over again.   It was defintely airtime deluxe.  ]]> Wed, 26 Oct 2011 06:30:19 GMT 64729EAF6863D1AA6E09AFB67B7BD467 http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=1148947 We are amazed that our website had visitor number 20,000 today (August 1, 2011). &nbsp;Google analytics lets us know where all of our site visitors are from and how long they stay when they visit our site. &nbsp;The average length of a visit is just over four minutes. &nbsp;We get visitors from around the world, which is one of the cool things about the internet - we can share our music anywhere people are online. &nbsp;Just to be clear, we are not trying to be a big online marketing machine, but we do like the idea that if people come to visit us online they would be interested in our music and stick around for a while. &nbsp;Thanks to everyone who has stopped by over the years. &nbsp;


]]> Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:55:00 GMT D6C1EA7A37B7EA5421A04C0E0E052952 http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=1130419 The harmonica is not usually considered much of a &quot;high brow&quot; instrument - it is the inexpensive instrument of the street. &nbsp;And most people would not consider it to be a prime candidate for jazz. &nbsp;But that all changed when Toots Thielmans got his hands on one. &nbsp;There is no denying his amazing soulful playing. &nbsp;His most famous song is Bluesette, a tune I love to play. &nbsp;Here is a sample of many from You Tube. Enjoy! ]]> Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:55:00 GMT ECA89F8121466A09E4DCDEA466825C0B http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=986310 This past Wednesday (May 18) we were hired for our first ever Harbor Cruise gig on the <a target="_new" href="http://www.vancouvercharters.com/virtual-tour.html">Pride of Vancouver. &nbsp; We &nbsp;have had a cool, wet spring in Vancouver this year, but the day of the gig was gorgeous - sunny and warm. &nbsp;It was a bit of a challenge to get our gear from the parking area to the boat and up on to the lounge deck, but it all worked pretty well. The crew on the boat were very helpful and in no time we were set up and ready to play for about 60 people from around the world who were here to experience the fabulous city of Vancouver. &nbsp;It took us a few minutes to get used to the motion of the boat on the water. &nbsp;Once we got cruising it was pretty smooth, except for when we crossed the wake of a large container ship! &nbsp;We played jazz standards and originals for about three and half hours, although we did get a 45 minute break. &nbsp;I have to admit that it required more concentration to play than usual because the scenery was so spectacular. &nbsp;Seeing Vancouver from the water was amazing. &nbsp;It was cool as we passed other vessels because we were playing right beside a big open door and the sound of our music was carrying across the water. &nbsp;The would look at us and give us a wave. During our break the guests were on the lower deck having supper so we just kicked back and relaxed. &nbsp;The chef was kind enough to save us supper, which we enjoyed once the cruise was done. &nbsp;We all agreed it wouldn't be hard to get used to gigs like this one. &nbsp; This past Wednesday (May 18) we were hired for our first ever Harbor Cruise gig on the Pride of Vancouver.   We  have had a cool, wet spring in Vancouver this year, but the day of the gig was gorgeous - sunny and warm.  It was a bit of a challenge to get our gear from the parking area to the boat and up on to the lounge deck, but it all worked pretty well. The crew on the boat were very helpful and in no time we were set up and ready to play for about 60 people from around the world who were here to experience the fabulous city of Vancouver.  It took us a few minutes to get used to the motion of the boat on the water.  Once we got cruising it was pretty smooth, except for when we crossed the wake of a large container ship!  We played jazz standards and originals for about three and half hours, although we did get a 45 minute break.  I have to admit that it required more concentration to play than usual because the scenery was so spectacular.  Seeing Vancouver from the water was amazing.  It was cool as we passed other vessels because we were playing right beside a big open door and the sound of our music was carrying across the water.  The would look at us and give us a wave. During our break the guests were on the lower deck having supper so we just kicked back and relaxed.  The chef was kind enough to save us supper, which we enjoyed once the cruise was done.  We all agreed it wouldn't be hard to get used to gigs like this one.  

]]> Sun, 22 May 2011 01:15:00 GMT 5A423B0B8808E51E08CC7E52339F402E http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=877540 Last Saturday we were invited to play at <a target="_new" href="http://www.themosaic.org">Mosaic, in downtown Vancouver.&nbsp; Mosaic is a faith community for everyone, but especially for the marginalized and disadvantaged.&nbsp; They have a great gathering space and a really interesting mix of people who participate.&nbsp; We were asked to provide a jazz concert along with a presentation about the creative aspect of improvisation as being a reflection of the creative nature of God.&nbsp; We also shared how different types of jazz tunes serve well as expressions of the human heart, ranging from despair through to joy.&nbsp; We played the very sad Angel Eyes as a reflection of heartache and the very happy St. Thomas as an expression of happiness.&nbsp; The vibe, interaction with the crowd, and pre/ post concert conversations with people were really meaningful.&nbsp; It was one of those times when the music really provided a great way to interact with people.&nbsp; Very enjoyable. Mosaic, in downtown Vancouver.  Mosaic is a faith community for everyone, but especially for the marginalized and disadvantaged.  They have a great gathering space and a really interesting mix of people who participate.  We were asked to provide a jazz concert along with a presentation about the creative aspect of improvisation as being a reflection of the creative nature of God.  We also shared how different types of jazz tunes serve well as expressions of the human heart, ranging from despair through to joy.  We played the very sad Angel Eyes as a reflection of heartache and the very happy St. Thomas as an expression of happiness.  The vibe, interaction with the crowd, and pre/ post concert conversations with people were really meaningful.  It was one of those times when the music really provided a great way to interact with people.  Very enjoyable.]]> Sat, 02 Apr 2011 01:20:57 GMT 597843A7DA865336BF7EBA2FA3980519 http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=790111 We are giving away 5 free CDs in honor of the mystery coffee cup rhythm track! &nbsp;Doug surprised us with it on our recent CD, Quintessential Coffee. &nbsp;Can you hear it? &nbsp;Listen to our <a target="_new" href="./music.cfm">sample tracks and let us know which song includes the mystery coffee cup rhythm track. &nbsp;Post your comment the first five right answers will a free Quintessential Coffee CD. &nbsp;We will not confirm or deny any answer posted so as not to give things away. &nbsp; We are giving away 5 free CDs in honor of the mystery coffee cup rhythm track!  Doug surprised us with it on our recent CD, Quintessential Coffee.  Can you hear it?  Listen to our sample tracks and let us know which song includes the mystery coffee cup rhythm track.  Post your comment the first five right answers will a free Quintessential Coffee CD.  We will not confirm or deny any answer posted so as not to give things away.  ]]> Thu, 24 Feb 2011 23:40:00 GMT E95739CC280CC9559ADC9A113EDCF15F http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=776202 This past week our band was featured in both of the local newspapers after I sent a press release out about our CD launch. &nbsp;We appreciate the way both papers do a lot to support the local arts and music scene. &nbsp;These days everything that goes in the newspaper is also posted on line, so if you want to see the articles you can find them at the following links: &nbsp;<a target="_new" href="http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/langleytimes/entertainment/116270429.html">Coffee's on at the Watershed Cafe&nbsp;and <a target="_new" href="http://www.langleyadvance.com/entertainment/Quintessential+take+jazz/4267089/story.html">Quintessential Take on Jazz Coffee's on at the Watershed Cafe and Quintessential Take on Jazz]]> Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:10:00 GMT DDE164E09FBA543659721811E08AE135 http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=683998 This past Christmas Eve I (Gerry) had opportunity to play bass at a wonderful Christmas Eve service where I got to be on stage for the first time with someone playing a harp. Tammy, the harpist, started the service along with a lone vocalist singing Angels We Have Heard on High. &nbsp;What was truly amazing was the impact of the harp on the start of the service. &nbsp;Within just a few notes of the harpist starting playing the buzz of the crowd talking and visiting (between 250-300 people) stopped and went almost totally silent. The music powerfully drew people into the mood of the service. &nbsp;For me it was one of those magical moments where the power of music, just a few notes, on an amazing instrument had a incredible impact. &nbsp;I have never had the opportunity get up close and personal with a harp before. &nbsp;A very cool instrument for sure. &nbsp; This past Christmas Eve I (Gerry) had opportunity to play bass at a wonderful Christmas Eve service where I got to be on stage for the first time with someone playing a harp. Tammy, the harpist, started the service along with a lone vocalist singing Angels We Have Heard on High.  What was truly amazing was the impact of the harp on the start of the service.  Within just a few notes of the harpist starting playing the buzz of the crowd talking and visiting (between 250-300 people) stopped and went almost totally silent. The music powerfully drew people into the mood of the service.  For me it was one of those magical moments where the power of music, just a few notes, on an amazing instrument had a incredible impact.  I have never had the opportunity get up close and personal with a harp before.  A very cool instrument for sure.  



]]> Fri, 07 Jan 2011 05:25:00 GMT 6DAD9FD209CF843CA1134DD7045342C9 http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=672795 On behalf of Quintessential I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and to thank you for&nbsp;your support over the past year. &nbsp;As we look ahead we have a few things we hope to achieve in 2011.&nbsp;We are looking forward to having some CD Release events in support of our new CD <a target="_new" href="./music.cfm">Quintessential Coffee.&nbsp; We are also planning to work on a new album of original tunes.&nbsp;&nbsp;We also want to get busy with more gigs this year now that we have finished recording Coffee and have had time to welcome our new drummer Lionel into the band.&nbsp; We love playing for live audiences. May 2011 be a good one for you all.&nbsp; Quintessential Coffee.  We are also planning to work on a new album of original tunes.  We also want to get busy with more gigs this year now that we have finished recording Coffee and have had time to welcome our new drummer Lionel into the band.  We love playing for live audiences. May 2011 be a good one for you all. ]]> Sat, 01 Jan 2011 23:25:00 GMT 4608AAF499B3792DFA7CE5D25C49E577 http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=667553 <a target="_new" href="http://amandatosoff.com ">Amanda Tosoff is a friend who is on an amazing musical journey. &nbsp;Since graduating from Capilano College she has made an impact as one of the great emerging jazz artists in Canada and beyond including winning the General Motors Grand Jazz Award at the 2009 Montreal Jazz Festival. &nbsp;She has recently released her third CD Looking North. &nbsp;I received a copy recently and have not been able to get it out of my CD player. &nbsp;For jazz purists, this album is just wonderful. &nbsp;Amanda has introduced a new sound to her playing on this album by adding Fender Rhodes to a couple of tunes. &nbsp;Guest artists have also added some great work, including <a target="_new" href="http://www.ingridjensen.com">Ingrid Jensen on trumpet. &nbsp; The reworking of the song Concept, which was on Amanda's first CD Still Life, &nbsp;along with the second track Goodbye Grey Sky are my favorites. &nbsp;Thanks Amanda, Morgan, Sean and Evan. for a superb album. &nbsp;&nbsp; Amanda Tosoff is a friend who is on an amazing musical journey.  Since graduating from Capilano College she has made an impact as one of the great emerging jazz artists in Canada and beyond including winning the General Motors Grand Jazz Award at the 2009 Montreal Jazz Festival.  She has recently released her third CD Looking North.  I received a copy recently and have not been able to get it out of my CD player.  For jazz purists, this album is just wonderful.  Amanda has introduced a new sound to her playing on this album by adding Fender Rhodes to a couple of tunes.  Guest artists have also added some great work, including Ingrid Jensen on trumpet.   The reworking of the song Concept, which was on Amanda's first CD Still Life,  along with the second track Goodbye Grey Sky are my favorites.  Thanks Amanda, Morgan, Sean and Evan. for a superb album.   ]]> Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:23:49 GMT DC94F438ED2A9F293B29E9ED10119342 http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=644005 Thanks to everyone who participated in our CD giveaway contest. &nbsp;10 Quintessential Christmas CD's given away for sharing &nbsp;your favorite Christmas song and why it is your favorite song. &nbsp;Congratulations to: Susan, Kaila, Barb, Tina, Ann, Dani, Heather, Joan, Sheila and Patricia. PS-Ann if you see this can you send us your address so we can mail your CD out? &nbsp;greatjazz@quintessentialjazz.info
PS-Ann if you see this can you send us your address so we can mail your CD out?  greatjazz@quintessentialjazz.info
]]> Fri, 17 Dec 2010 06:07:28 GMT 62BA67CAFFFC6194DDC8213DF587F015 http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=627521 We recorded our album <a target="_new" href="./music.cfm">Quintessential Christmas in response to the many request we got for a CD when playing at Christmas events. &nbsp;Not only that, many people requested certain songs should be on the CD. &nbsp;We have discovered that everyone has their favorite Christmas song. &nbsp;So this Christmas we thought it would be fun to give away some of our Christmas CDs for sharing your favorite song and why. &nbsp;The first ten comments to this post wins a free CD. &nbsp;(please no repeat posts, thanks)&nbsp; Quintessential Christmas in response to the many request we got for a CD when playing at Christmas events.  Not only that, many people requested certain songs should be on the CD.  We have discovered that everyone has their favorite Christmas song.  So this Christmas we thought it would be fun to give away some of our Christmas CDs for sharing your favorite song and why.  The first ten comments to this post wins a free CD.  (please no repeat posts, thanks) ]]> Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:30:00 GMT 8923764DAA15E68A78D2A01341967B5A http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=622286 &ldquo;Coffee&rdquo; is our third recording project. Each time we set out to document where we are at musically, as a band and individually. All three CD&rsquo;s have distinct sounds, due in part to changes in the band line up. &ldquo;Almost Live&rdquo; &ndash; now out of production &ndash; was recorded in one evening when we were a sextet (Dean Bakewell &ndash; tenor sax; Bob Shatford &ndash; trumpet), with some additional recording and editing in the following months. Fred Tappenden (drums) moved to Edmonton the day after the initial recording session &ndash; but as in all our sessions, no editing or overdubbing of the drum tracks has been necessary! This project was recorded, edited and mixed by Brent Ellis of <a target="_new" href="http://members.shaw.ca/lsrecords/">LS Records, final mastering was done by Doug Dunbar. &ldquo;Christmas&rdquo; was recorded in 2007 over two days at Turtle Recording Studio in White Rock, BC. We liked the atmosphere of this studio and the concept of recording direct to analogue tape. Dean had moved and our sound changed dramatically with the lead instrument shifting from sax to guitar and/or trumpet.. This project also featured acoustic piano and a REAL Fender Rhodes, something our other projects have not. Our original plan was to work with Brent Ellis again and record in late April &ndash; early May so that we could have the finished product by mid-Fall, ready for the season. However, due to a near fatal car accident involving Brent and his daughter, our plans were altered a week away from recording. This change also meant that our two-year fill in drummer, Ben Evans &ndash; who would have recorded with us with Brent &ndash; is not on the recording as Fred returned in August 2007. Two years of busy gigging followed these projects. Our sound was solidifying and our musicianship growing. We started talking about a new recording project of original material in 2009, but that was a very busy year for gigs on top of our full personal lives. So rehearsing and writing took a back seat to gigging, which is always fun and pays just a bit more. In early 2010, Bob decided to bow out of the band. Again, our sound would change dramatically. The lead voice of the band now shifted to guitar and Doug&rsquo;s return to saxophone. The keyboard role also shifted a bit, taking up lead responsibilities. Now a quartet, we spent the early part of this year just figuring out what we would sound like, and how to fill the spaces. As a result we began recording every practice, listening back, and discovering what we were as a quartet. Two takes from those rehearsals made it onto the new CD (&ldquo;End of Summer&rdquo; and &ldquo;Angel Eyes&rdquo;). With Bob&rsquo;s exit, a lack of original material in &ldquo;ready-mode&rdquo;, and the imminent departure of Fred Tappenden (now living in Montreal), the decision was made to record some of the songs we play regularly &ndash; the standards that we are known for and that many people recognize. Along the way we experimented, tried a few new things, and had a lot of fun &ndash; not to mention coffee. In the next few blogs, I&rsquo;ll detail some of the finer points of recording &ldquo;Coffee&rdquo;, from the gear we used, to some song specific things that happened along the way.
“Almost Live” – now out of production – was recorded in one evening when we were a sextet (Dean Bakewell – tenor sax; Bob Shatford – trumpet), with some additional recording and editing in the following months. Fred Tappenden (drums) moved to Edmonton the day after the initial recording session – but as in all our sessions, no editing or overdubbing of the drum tracks has been necessary! This project was recorded, edited and mixed by Brent Ellis of LS Records, final mastering was done by Doug Dunbar.

“Christmas” was recorded in 2007 over two days at Turtle Recording Studio in White Rock, BC. We liked the atmosphere of this studio and the concept of recording direct to analogue tape. Dean had moved and our sound changed dramatically with the lead instrument shifting from sax to guitar and/or trumpet.. This project also featured acoustic piano and a REAL Fender Rhodes, something our other projects have not.

Our original plan was to work with Brent Ellis again and record in late April – early May so that we could have the finished product by mid-Fall, ready for the season. However, due to a near fatal car accident involving Brent and his daughter, our plans were altered a week away from recording. This change also meant that our two-year fill in drummer, Ben Evans – who would have recorded with us with Brent – is not on the recording as Fred returned in August 2007.

Two years of busy gigging followed these projects. Our sound was solidifying and our musicianship growing. We started talking about a new recording project of original material in 2009, but that was a very busy year for gigs on top of our full personal lives. So rehearsing and writing took a back seat to gigging, which is always fun and pays just a bit more.

In early 2010, Bob decided to bow out of the band. Again, our sound would change dramatically. The lead voice of the band now shifted to guitar and Doug’s return to saxophone. The keyboard role also shifted a bit, taking up lead responsibilities. Now a quartet, we spent the early part of this year just figuring out what we would sound like, and how to fill the spaces. As a result we began recording every practice, listening back, and discovering what we were as a quartet. Two takes from those rehearsals made it onto the new CD (“End of Summer” and “Angel Eyes”).

With Bob’s exit, a lack of original material in “ready-mode”, and the imminent departure of Fred Tappenden (now living in Montreal), the decision was made to record some of the songs we play regularly – the standards that we are known for and that many people recognize. Along the way we experimented, tried a few new things, and had a lot of fun – not to mention coffee. In the next few blogs, I’ll detail some of the finer points of recording “Coffee”, from the gear we used, to some song specific things that happened along the way.
]]> Tue, 07 Dec 2010 05:10:00 GMT 371D9EC8649B0CC693C25F20F644E5AA http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=591984 We are pleased that All&nbsp;For Miles,&nbsp;from our new CD <a target="_new" href="./music.cfm">Quintessential Coffee&nbsp;got radio play this weekend.&nbsp; It was really cool to get a phone message from a friend telling me that she had heard my name mentioned on the Hot Air jazz program on CBC Radio One.&nbsp; <a target="_new" href="http://www.cbc.ca/hotair/">Hot Air has been on the air since 1947 and covers jazz from all eras with a focus on BC artists. &nbsp;Its kind of affirming to know that a jazz program producer thought one of our tunes was worthy of air time. &nbsp;For a limited time you can get a free download of All For Miles, just visit the downloads page on our website. &nbsp; All For Miles, from our new CD Quintessential Coffee got radio play this weekend.  It was really cool to get a phone message from a friend telling me that she had heard my name mentioned on the Hot Air jazz program on CBC Radio One.  Hot Air has been on the air since 1947 and covers jazz from all eras with a focus on BC artists.  Its kind of affirming to know that a jazz program producer thought one of our tunes was worthy of air time.  For a limited time you can get a free download of All For Miles, just visit the downloads page on our website.  

]]> Mon, 22 Nov 2010 12:00:00 GMT 2C286E53BAF01C2FF440F60EF7E0C4BA http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=555264 After working for nine months on our latest CD called Quintessential Coffee we got a chance to see our finished CDs for the first time. &nbsp;There is a lot more to making a CD than just the recording. &nbsp;Post production, artwork and graphic design all contributed to our sense of anticipation. &nbsp;We already knew what it sounded like, but what would it look like and feel like? &nbsp;So here is a rough cut of Doug getting his first hands on with the new CD. &nbsp;You can listen to it online, just go to the Music page on our website to hear previews &nbsp;of each song. ]]> Fri, 05 Nov 2010 09:45:00 GMT C3BDE1027D787E01B9EDC85340A772D6 http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=530229 Posting has been rather thin of late.&nbsp; I have been pretty heavy into another kind of post, as in post production work for our new CD&nbsp; Quintessential Coffee.&nbsp; Graphic design, artwork,&nbsp; copyright licensing agreements, working with the pressing company, and so on.&nbsp; We anticpate that our new CD will be ready for us next Tuesday.&nbsp; One of the ideas we have is to put a limited number of our CD's for sale on our website on a &quot;pay what you feel&quot; basis.&nbsp; Look for our new CD preview page coming soon.&nbsp; Quintessential Coffee.  Graphic design, artwork,  copyright licensing agreements, working with the pressing company, and so on.  We anticpate that our new CD will be ready for us next Tuesday.  One of the ideas we have is to put a limited number of our CD's for sale on our website on a "pay what you feel" basis.  Look for our new CD preview page coming soon. ]]> Tue, 26 Oct 2010 09:46:16 GMT 8EEEC79E212C61F053EF5AD636FFB4AA http://quintessentialjazz.info/blog.cfm?feature=604275&postid=479267 Gigs at fancy downtown hotels are great - lots of fun, usually great food and happy people.&nbsp; Getting there is another story.&nbsp; Five star hotels don't just let you drive up to the front and unload a bunch of gear and&nbsp;carry it&nbsp;through the lobby.&nbsp; First you have to&nbsp;find the hotel's freight delivery bay, often underground,&nbsp; and then&nbsp;use the freight elevator.&nbsp; What's really wierd is having to cart your gear through a busy kitchen to get to the venue.&nbsp; Hats off to the hotel security staff, these people&nbsp;have been very helpful with the getting in and getting out aspect of gigs.&nbsp; Tue, 05 Oct 2010 02:45:18 GMT 897AD96A5E5B33EF4D02048BDDF3A8AF