A great day in La Jolla

Feels like Christmas, only at 75 degrees. So, I guess it feels like Christmas always does in So Cal. But here is why: After being backordered (on the first day of release!) I finally received my …

Rocky Patel Decade Toro (10th Anniversary)

A busy weekend, I performed with Scott Walton Saturday night at Cuyamaca College’s fantastic new theater. The concert was part of their piano series. Many of you just know Scott as a bassist, but he earned …

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Doomed?

In a lecture David Borgo gave today, he read the following passage about trumpet players: “The trumpet, or so we are given to believe, is a most athletic instrument, and most players, through sheer fatigue start …

Rocky Patel Sun Grown Torpedo

(Makes my mug look small.) Smoked last Thursday…The Rocky Patel Sun Grown Torpedo is a phenomenal cigar. I’ve changed y mind about having a whisky or port while smoking cigars, now I go for tea…while smoking …

San Cristobal Monumento

Cigar review number one from the group of of latest Nicaraguan cigars Keith sent my way. The San Cristobal Monumento is made by one of my favorite cigar companies, Ashton. Being a fan of Ashton (I …

A Truly Amazing Care Package…

Many of you are familiar with Keith McMullen, co-creator of the name pfMENTUM, co-founder of the original pfMENTUM newsletter and co-director of the Ventura New Music Concert Series/Festival from 1995 until its demise when I left …

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Bloody Mary’s, Texas, David Bartel

SD_bloody_mary.jpg What a lovely bloody mary, from the appropriately named “Bloody Mary’s” in the San Diego Airport. I have much to report on, including the gig, workshop, recording session with Guerino Mazzola, Heinz Geisser, Sirone, and …

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Peter Evans, Trumpet…

Peter Evans, Phil Skaller (fellow UCSD Grad Student), Jeff Kaiser: Stone Brewing Company Trumpet player Peter Evans visited UCSD this week. I had the pleasure to hang out with this true, multi-faceted virtuoso (who is comfortable …

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New Quarter…

Well, after one quarter of graduate school I look crazy pretentious like this: Out sailing off the coast of San Diego with Jim Connolly on his sailboat and he snapped that pic of me while I …