[Harp-L] NYC - January 9 - 16, 2006

[icemanle@xxxxxxx]

Hello List,
 
I will be in NYC from Jan 9 - 16, 2006, as part of the production staff for the IAJE Convention, the world's largest jazz convention. 
 
My duties for the last 15 years are to oversee all the pianos used for the concerts/workshops/clinics and make sure that nothing goes wrong. The convention has grown to 7000 attendees and 19 pianos are in constant use - from 9 ft Steinways to Yamaha consoles. This means that I am the last person between the piano and the artist (Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, Dr. Billy Taylor, Marian McPartland, Diana Kral, Kenny Werner, etc).
 
It is through this affiliation that I've seen how to successfully grow and model a convention and have also made numerous contacts with artists and management over the years that have proven invaluable in networking.
 
It is also one of the most worthwhile events to attend if you are a serious musician of any style, but especially if you are into jazz, theory and improv.
 
Here is a link with more info on the convention:
http://www.iaje.org/whatshot.asp?PromoID=128
 
If there is anything that you listers know of that is happening that week, let me know. 
 
It was two years ago at this convention that I met and played with Ryan Hartt (www.ryanhartt.com) at BB King's House of Blues, bringing along a couple of LA session players, including Tollak Ollestad (www.tollak.com) on harmonica. It was a great night of music and Ryan and his band was excellent.
 
The Iceman