One of my best friends passed away last Thursday. He was a fantastic jazz musician, show player, and music arranger. But more than anything, he was a fantastic friend. Be thankful for people in your life that care for you unconditionally. It is a blessing that we should be grateful for in our lives. RIP
The summer is a great time to start or continue music lessons. Younger students usually have more time to dedicate to practicing. And older students can get started in a more relaxing environment. Contact me today at 610 563-4865 to sign up!
“Rio Crystal” by Paul Colombo Group was released January 4, 2021. It is still being played on the radio in the United States. It also has a presence in Capetown, South Africa, Belgium, Netherlands, Quebec, and Australia. It was Number 1 in Downloads and Streams on PlayMPE.com the week 0f 4/23/21. I had no expectations for the business of this record so I am more than pleased with how it has been received. Feeling blessed!
I will be playing at Saucony Creek Franklin Station in Reading on Sunday, February 14, Valentine's Day, for their Jazz Brunch, 11-2. I will be with John Gingerich on bass and Dave Santana on drums. It's always a good time there. I am also planning a Facebook Livestream with Larry McKenna on sax and Kevin MacConnell on bass. I will update about the Livestream date and also the date when you can all go hit your favorite digital store and streaming services to get your "Rio Crystal" by the Paul Colombo Group on. Looks like later this week... CD's can be purchased from me now. Hit me up and I'll mail one to you. As always, thanks for your support and stay safe!
Online lessons, via Zoom, FaceTime, and Skype, are the way to make it through this pandemic. The technology is good enough to make the communications back and forth very smooth. In this virtual world, the teacher and student can play back and forth. Songs can be listened to that are being learned. The student can play along with songs, if so desired, and the teacher can listen to the result. Lesson info can be shared through pdf files. It’s easy to progress as a student and be helped by the teacher. I have openings now for lessons. Please contact me at 610 563-4865 to find a time that suits you. See you soon!
Friday is Christmas Day. The joy and anticipation I see in my 14 year old son Paul makes me think back on all my previous Christmas'. And there have been a few... The time spent in our house here in Honey Brook the past twenty three years, Lisa's brother Jeff coming over to stay, my Mom showing up on Christmas Day... Our times in West Chester at Seven Oaks Apartments previously... Going back to waking up in my first house in Upper Darby on Houston Road. Every December 25 in my life has been a blessing. I am appreciative of all the times spent with my close family on this sacred day. May your Christmas be blessed and the season's Holidays fill you with joy, love and appreciation.
This is the time of year to be thankful. What do we give thanks for? Take a couple minutes and reflect on all the good your life has to offer. My life has a wonderful wife and son, great friends, a nice roof over our heads, great food. I have my health and ability to work, think, create, help. What do you have to be thankful fo this time of year?
Paul Colombo Group has a new record on Vectordisc Records called "Rio Crystal" available in the next few weeks. It's all instrumental and features Ron Thomas on keyboards, Andy Alonso on bass and Chris Lōser on drums. The record was recorded live in four sessions at York, PA and Monkton, MD. The first session was May 7, 2018 so this release has been a long time coming. There have been a few interruptions along the way. The studio was shut down and relocated. Also, dare I say COVID? There are eight original tracks - seven I wrote and one written by Ron Thomas. Stylistically, it runs from Latin, to swing, fusion styled intensity to ballads. The record takes you on an enjoyable listening journey. I can’t wait to share it with you. Please come along for the ride with us!
Tomorrow, November 3, is Election Day. Get out and vote! It doesn't matter what side you're on, we need to hear from you. I keep my political leanings to myself but I feel this is the best way to stay engaged in our country's present and future. Which constitutional right do you think is the most important? You might answer "freedom of speech" or "free exercise" of religion. But "the right to vote" appears the most in the text of the Constitution. Please engage yourself in this most basic, and I will say, most important right of our democracy. See you at the polls!
It's 7 1/2 months since I've been shutdown. I was on the work "merry go round" for many years - gigging, teaching, practicing, recording... lots of driving... Coming to a standstill was a big shock at first. A dead stop. From 3-4 gigs a week, lots of students, to mostly nothing. Now that I'm in the middle of the shutdown, I've been using my time much more constructively. Is my music room all cleaned up? No. Are my cd's all put on hard drives and discarded? No. But I've settled into a good practicing, recording vibe. I have taken over 80 webinars for Digital Performer, my audio recording software, DAW (digital audio workstation). I've gotten into the settled down feel and am enjoying the time with my family. It's still scary - wearing masks, washing hands, social distancing, not knowing how the future will look as far as work. But I've gotten to be with myself and am into a new, productive routine. I'm hoping through all this that something good and positive comes out of it for you.