A Milestone

Thank you all!

While I wasn't looking, you've hit my blog 10,000 times and then some.

Some might think "10,000 isn't alot", but I never in a million years...er, I mean less than 6 months dreamed that I would hit 10,000 so quickly.

Anyway, I know this is a repeat performance, but I love how Larry Graham thumps that bass...Again, I thank you for lettin' me be myself...again!



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Condoleeza Rice Meets Superglam 70's Rock Group KISS!

“Condi Rice enlists in Kiss Army”
“STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) —

The Kiss Army fan club has an enthusiastic new recruit: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. In a departure from her normally staid diplomatic duties, Rice met the legendary glam rock quartet when they happened to share a hotel in the Swedish capital. Rice was in Stockholm on Thursday for an international conference on Iraq. Kiss had a sold-out gig to play on Friday. ‘I was thrilled,’ Rice said of her late-night encounter with frontman Gene Simmons and bandmates Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer in the executive lounge of the Sheraton Hotel where they signed autographs and handed out backstage passes and T-shirts to her staff. ‘It was really fun to meet Kiss and Gene Simmons,’ she told reporters, noting they seemed well informed about current events. The band had asked if she could stop by after she finished dinner with the Swedish foreign minister and Rice readily agreed, she said. (more after the jump)

“Simmons and his crew, who are on a European tour, weren't wearing their trademark stage makeup, but were recognizable as rock stars to even non-fans by their hair, according to State Department officials who were with Rice. Rice, a classically trained pianist, said she has eclectic musical tastes ranging from Beethoven to Bruce Springsteen. Hard stadium rockers like Kiss are included in the mix and Rice said her favorite tune of theirs is ‘Rock and Roll All Nite.’ But, she conceded she had never seen the group in concert. In fact, although she frequently attends classical music performances, Rice claims to have been to only four rock concerts in her life. The first was in the early 1960s when she went as a 10-year-old to see Paul Revere and the Raiders in her home state of Alabama. After her family moved to Colorado, Rice went at the age of 16 went on her first date with an Air Force cadet to see Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. She later saw Earth, Wind and Fire in Denver and her last rock and roll show was a U2 concert in Washington, she said.” Read Full Text/Comments

CMS Music Program

My son, Jesse, attends Colonial Middle School in Plymouth Meeting. The school offers a lot of different things for students to get involved in and one of them is the music program.

Jesse is a string bassist for the CMS string orchestra. He started playing the bass in 4th grade. Much to my surprise, Jess likes it and is quite good. He can sight read and understands (and likes) classical music and jazz, all at the tender age of 12.

Last night was the CMS Spring Music Festival, where all of the different configurations of student ensembles showcased their talents for a night of music.

Jesse's ensemble was good, but I was utterly blown away by the Jazz Ensemble. They are a group of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who play like seasoned veterans. One of the numbers they performed last night was "Oye Como Va" by Tito Puentes. Every student soloed. So-loed. 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Soloed. For over 10 minutes! They finished with a tremendously up tempo and raucous version of Louis Prima's chart of "Sing, Sing, Sing".

Words can not describe the warm and fuzzies I experienced at the concert last night. I can, though, offer this–a video of the final number performed by the Jazz ensemble.

By the way, Jesse has shown quite an interest in participating in the Jazz Ensemble next year. I am more than excited by the prospect.

Enjoy!

B.

And here is the rest of it.
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