July 2008
Wow, it’s been a really long time since my last update so here I go......... The Quartet of Happiness recently finished playing a series of school/public concerts from April-July funded by Ernie Boch’s “Music Drives Us Foundation”. Special thanks to all of the schools/communities for having us perform and to the Ernie Boch foundation for your generous support. It has been a great pleasure to perform for and meet people from various communities around the Massachusetts area. We’re working on continuing these educational outreach performances during the upcoming school year so hopefully we’ll be at a school near you soon........Another QOH update, we’re almost done mixing our second album and things are coming along really well. Stay tuned for album updates!
I recently played a few shows and did a recording session for my good friend and bassist Kendall Eddy. It was a blast! Thanks Kendall for all the great music. I’m hoping there will be more performances with this group because the musicians and music really made for a good time.......Some other album updates of which I’ve gotten to be a part of: Jay Footes “Anatomy and Birth” CD (his second as a leader) was recently released in April. I had a great time at the CD release and I’m really excited about this album. Check it out on iTunes music and CD Baby, congrats Jay! Colin Stack is almost finished recording his album, “Futile Serenade”. Colin writes some nice music so stay tuned for his release planned for the fall. Finally, Ayn Inserto is in the process of mixing her second big band album featuring George Garzone on saxophone. The mixes are coming along nicely and it’s a tight band! I’m not sure when the release will be but keep checking in as I’ll make sure to post dates and info.
Well, that’s all of the updates for now. I’m heading back to Iowa in a few days to hang with family and friends and to teach at the Independence school jazz camp, so I’m looking forward to getting back to the midwest for a bit! Thanks for checking in and I’ll hope to have another update soon........
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posted July 12, 2008 at 10:34pm by Rick
March 2008
I just got back from Cedar Rapids, Iowa after having an amazing experience with the Quartet of Happiness at the Coe College Jazz Summit! Special thanks to Steve Shanley and Bill Carson for having us, to Bernie Tiede for all her help and support, and to the Coe Jazz Band for doing such a great job with our big band charts. Thanks to all Coe students/staff for their help during the festival, and to everyone who came out to the Grand Finale Concert. It was great to see my parents and brothers at the concert as well, even if only for a short time.
I’d also like to thank Eric Kilburn at Wellspring Studios in Acton, Ma. We spent two days in the studio prior to our Iowa trip and we had a great time recording our second album. Eric was a pleasure to work with, as always!
Now that I’ve gotten a little rest, I’d like to let you know of some upcoming performances. I’ll be playing at the Beehive again with Jamie Stewardson’s quintet on Tuesday March 11th. We had a lot of fun at the Beehive last time and I’m really looking forward to the next performance........ Also, I’ll be playing at the Lily Pad most Sunday nights around 10pm with the Gil Aharon group. Gil writes some amazing music (as well as being an amazing musician) so I’d definitely recommend checking out the set. There will be an open jam to follow each week. It’s loose, it’s fun, it’s an all-out great time! Yeah!
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posted March 02, 2008 at 5:09pm by Rick
Sep 8, 2008, 10:30pm
Colin Stack
The Fireplace, Brookline, Ma
Cover: - All Ages
Sep 10, 2008, 9:00pm
Quartet of Happiness
Johnny D's, Somerville, Ma
9:00pm - Cover: - All Ages
Oct 24, 2008, 9:00pm
Colin Stack
All Asia Cafe, Cambridge, Ma
9:00pm - Cover: - All Ages