I know, long time, no update. . .

Greetings all, So, I've been doing a bit of music making lately and I thought I'd pen a little update. I didn't think that I'd be able to be much of a musician this year due to another commitment that keeps me very busy, but who was I kidding, it's like water and oxygen for me. . . So, if you weren't already aware, I am performing weekly at the Hotel Andaluz, located on 1st Street and Copper (just north of Central). That's on Thursday evenings from 7:30pm until 9:30pm.  Please let me know if you're in the house and I just might get a drink or two either removed from your bill, or sent over to your table. Also, twice a month on Saturdays I perform at the same location from 9-11pm, come on down! Check out the Performances tab for dates. Oh, and if you would like to dine in fine fashion at the hotel's restaurant Lucia, mention QTango for 20% off your bill (only on nights we perform). If you haven't already, check out the recent vid posted on YouTube. I am playing the upright bass with QTango for the UNM Arts In Medicine program. UNM Arts In Medicine Performance Until next time, -Not So Sleepy Me

Some notes from the Middle East

Yep, it seems like a dream that I travelled with a group of some 40 or so musicians across the waters and over Europe to the Middle East to perform in Abu Dhabi. I happened to only journal during the first 36 or so hours into the trip, and here's what I wrote. By the way, after those first 36 hours, I slept around 3 hours each night and didn't look at my computer until the night we were to depart. Skype wasn't working for me, and I was paranoid that someone was watching everything I wrote if I were plugged into the $25/day internet service the hotel offered.

Here are my notes:
So, we arrived and I needed to pee, but I was so overwhelmed with the stern guys who checked out our passports, they would not budge, or even look somewhat relaxed, they were hard core. Anyway, I didn’t go to the bathroom because I was distracted by everything, the palm tress in the airport, the 30 foot waterfall, the lights, the huge flat screens, etc.

We found Fahd there and he led us to some guys who had a bus waiting for us. We stepped out of the airport to very warm weather, and it was balmy. We boarded the bus and sat for 2 hours while trying to see something outside. We passed the world’s tallest building that adorns magazines and summons on lookers. It was strange looking, kind of like a spool of paper that had been thrown and the triangular cone that was left was the building. We saw many tall buildings and tons of lights.

 As we got out of the city, the bus quieted, cameras went away and everyone seemed to drift off to sleep. I hadn’t seen much of a wink of sleep since the night b4 when I was back home, so I too joined in. We all started to stir as more signage begun to appear, we were nearing Abu Dahbi. We found the hotel and drove down this half constructed road with construction on both sides. It was rickety to say the least, and narrow, but we made it to the valet area and unloaded.

It took us about 30 minutes to all get checked in and they took our passports. They said they would give them back when we left the hotel, which was strange for most of us. We all sat there in confusion, wondering if we should press the issue and get the only valid form of ID we had in this far away land where we weren’t even sure how to abide by the laws.

We all retreated to our new rooms to find a tiny room with two single beds, very nice however, and a killer bathroom, one that you may find in a fairly upscale home, bidet included in every room. And of course, most of us have never used them, and none of us have any idea how, or perhaps any desire to know. After visiting our rooms we headed back down to the restaurant to eat, it was not going to close up until 12:30, so we had a tiny window to get some food. We ate and then a few people invited me to walk around town, go exploring.

We set out on foot and didn’t find much in the way of nightlife, nor did we encounter much life at all. Everything was shut down, but we did manage to find a bar that had a chain link fenced in patio of sorts, we sat down and 2 of our party drank Turkish coffees and smoked from a hookah. After an hour or so, we all seemed to get very tired, One of the girls read the emptied coffee cups in Persian tradition, it was very interesting. Anyway, we eventually retreated and all passed out from exhaustion.

The next morning came all too soon. We had to be at breakfast before 10:30 because that was when they stopped serving. I made it just on time and found my roommate at the end. A bunch of people were plotting to have a day trip to Dubai which never transpired. Finally everyone disbursed knowing that a tour bus would escort us around town at 2pm.

My roommate and I chose to take a walk to try to get her a bathing suit. We were success finding her a $3 suit, not bad. She was very excited. We returned just in time for 2pm. Well, our bus didn’t leave until about 2:40pm, and then we reluctantly proceeded to visit some malls. None of us seemed to have much interest in shopping malls filled with mainstream stores that are in every city around the globe, but whomever was instructing the bus had the upper hand, and off to the malls we went. It was fine, lastly, we went to the emperor’s palace, this 3 Billion dollar monstrous structure that is fairly palace like, though

I’ve never really seen a palace. Anyway, we went in, took a bunch of pix and walked in on a little event where by the unveiling of the very first gold atm machine in the world was unveiled. It was interesting, I have video. So, we left there and headed back for another meal. And after, we headed down to the pool area where we had some beers to celebrate my roommate’s birthday. Some of the guys in the group told some stories, over all it was nice, relaxing, chill, but nothing all too interesting. We retired at 3 am. I was very very tired.

Okay, this is about all the time I have to post right now.  I hope you enjoy. . .

Drum roll, please. . .

I actually did sleep last night, and its hard to believe, considering what's next on the plate for me. I am getting ready to play with a wonderful orchestra known as MESTO at a festival in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates next week!

I have had a nice visit here in LA while attending rehearsals for the performance. The weather has been warm-ish, and the ocean, well, the ocean never fails me, it's glorious, and calming. And, I may have just stumbled upon the reason I have been sleeping. . .

Anyway, last weekend, I attended a couple of classes at UCLA, not UCLA classes, but classes on campus in the subject of Baroque music. My friend Laszlo (http://www.mezo.us) invited me to attend and it was awesome. I heard some wonderful music and learned a bit more about a style and period in which I have very limited knowledge. The teachers were specialists in the field. Each was dedicated to exploring very deeply, Baroque music, intellectually and emotionally. And each was very excited to share what they had come to know.

I found quite interesting the discussions about the use of old tools/instruments versus the use of modern instruments, and the importance of making the music, as close to authentic as possible, no matter what tools one feels is most comfortable to use. It seemed to me that the recommendation from the panel echoed the importance of making good music and being mindful of that which might prevent it from happening. I don't know much about Baroque, but in the general sense, I couldn't agree more.

Alas, I am sitting here at my first crash pad, preparing to venture on to the home of the next kind family that will take me in for the final days of my little journey. I am excited for the trip. It is finally setting in that I will be traveling so far away, making music on a big stage, and most likely not getting much sleep!

Until next time.
Resident insomniac, me.

p.s. I will do my best to post regularly while I am out and about.

It's that time. . .

Okay, perhaps it's been way too long(?) Well, a brief update to what's going on in the mad world of music in Tanya's life. I recently completed a chamber piece that I composed inspired by my cousin who was such a delight. He left this world suddenly and shortly before his passing he shared some things that really touched me. Recently, a dear friend and incredible musician got an ensemble together to perform the music that I wrote in his honor.

The performance took place at ASU in Tempe, and this is why most of you did not hear about it. Most of the people whom I communicate with are not in the Phoenix area, and hence could not attend. Anyway, I am hoping to have this piece performed in the summer here in the Albuquerque area.

In other news, I will be travelling to the United Arab Emirates soon to perform with the Los Angeles based orchestra known as MESTO. I am very excited and will post photos and some travel notes while I am out on this excursion.

And finally, if you weren't already aware, I am working now with Coldwell Banker Legacy as a REALTOR®. Visit me on the web if you are curious to learn more about that side of me or if you'd like to search for properties.

Actually, that was not the final note, this is. I am crafting what I think may be the final movement of my string quartet! It is very exciting and I am now in preliminary planning mode for the premiere of this work. Okay folks, that's all I've got for now from the sleep factory.
-a close friend of Valerian Root