may 10, 2004

the Merry Month of May

Greetings once more from NYC!

Go M's! I've got my tix for next Saturday's game up in the Bronx...i hope nobody beats me up for cheering the away team. :) Y'all know I turn into a complete spaz at an M's game.

Thanks so much for your support!! I get emails from people every month after I send my newsletter, and I am so glad that there are so many of you keeping in touch with me...here's this month's news.

The Chill Is Gone, The Chill Is Gone Away
Hey Ma, I'm Singing At The Blue Note!
Summer Stuff

I. The Chill Is Gone, The Chill Is Gone Away

I am hearing reports of lovely spring weather back home, and we in New York are finally getting sunshine and...pollen. Yes, pollen counts are at record highs, making it interesting for us singers. Luckily, there are meds. This is the same season that, a year ago, New York seduced me with. It's funny - I was over at my friends house watching "Sex In the City", and it was an episode where Carrie was navigating Manhattan without a boyfriend, but consoled herself with the thought that perhaps she would just accept the city as her one true love. I understand the concept. The parks are green and flowerful; the sidewalks in my neighborhood are shaded with green young leaves. It makes you forget the steel and concrete for a while. With a few days in the 70s and even low 80s, it is finally safe to take my wool coats to the dry cleaners. And New York, unlike some human males, seems to be able to sustain my initial fascination.

II. Hey Ma, I'm Singing At The Blue Note!

There are a couple of other things blooming in my modest music world. The month of May starts off with a bang: a couple of days ago, I spent several hours in a sunny location on the East River as we filmed a music video for Scott Jacoby. Scott is a young and amazingly talented singer, composer, producer, and all around nice guy. He's especially nice because he had me and my girl Autumn sing backup on his upcoming Irma Records single, "Come Around". As his foxy backup singers, we had the obligation to be featured prominently in that song's video. If you ever see it please don't laugh, they put a pound and a half of makeup on me...After that was a really long rehearsal for Scott's gig this weekend at the legendary BLUE NOTE! The gig was amazing: even with our start time at almost 1AM, we played to a near-capacity crowd, with overflow standing at the bar. I was so psyched to perform on that historic stage, even as a humble sideman.

III. Summer Stuff

Another blessed opportunity recently come my way was an invitation to perform at Chick Singer Night at the also legendary Bitter End. This is a singer/songwriter showcase that happens only once a month, and only five women are chosen each month to perform 3 songs each with the house band. Notable women such as Norah Jones and Shawn Colvin have been past participants, so I'm hoping some of that luck will rub off on me. :) That event is on July 27th, so i have plenty of time to freak out!

Please feel free to check out the web site for more updates, and detailed gig info. There are also new photos from recent shows so you can see what it's like to see me singing backup for these other folks. It still is weird to be in the background, but there are good lessons in learning the business, being humble, listening, and being patient for MY turn.

Well, that's it for now. Here's wishing you a peaceful and pleasant springtime. Enjoy it - it will be gone before you know it!

Love and blessings,
:) Celia