Tokyo Nights

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

1/31/06 Doesn't Get More "Real" Than This........

Someone sent this photo to today. Whole symphonies have been written from an image like this....books...movies. This is "real".

Written at 1/31/2006 12:01:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Monday, January 30, 2006

1/30/06 Sketch #14

Written at 1/30/2006 11:09:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

1/29/06 Moblogging From Starbucks...

Written at 1/29/2006 03:43:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

1/28/06 Tonight!!!

Written at 1/28/2006 10:30:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Friday, January 27, 2006

1/27/06 EAST/WEST UNIT...Tonight...@ Half Tone

East/West Unit

Tonight!!!!

Half Tone (Tachikawa, Japan)

Written at 1/27/2006 10:22:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

1/27/06 Bought Some New CD's Today...

Picked up:

Eric Benet - Hurricane
Stevie Wonder - A Time For Love
Raul Midon - State Of Mind
All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross
Amel Larrieux - Bravebird
Santana = Best of

_________________________________

I've been crazy about Eric Benet's singing for 3-4 months now....listening to his tunes I'll Be There, Chains, Femininity, and Let's Stay Together everyday.

I was in the Apple store in Ginza last week and heard John Legend singing Love Won't Let Me Wait (on the sound system in the store). It just knocked me out. This guy is soooo soulful. He's on the Tribute to Luther Vandross CD with Usher (who sounds really great), Mary J, Alicia Keyes, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Babyface, and others.

I'm a huge fan of Stevie Wonder. I think this might be my favorite Stevie Wonder CD. The compositions are beautiful.

The Best of Santana is great! However, I bought this recording for 1 tune only...Europa. I was sitting outside, getting ready to go on stage at a salsa festival in Baltimore a few years ago and they were playing a recording of Santana doing Europa over the sound system. It just blew me away. I couldn't believe how simple but, so much passion....such rawness...so much soul. I've always wanted to do this song. Soon!

Heard Amel Larrieux for the first time today! Wonderful. A great mix of r&b, jazz, neo-soul, folk, etc. Check her out! She's also on the new Stanley Clarke (bassist) CD.

Written at 1/27/2006 12:37:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

1/27/06 Raul Midon....

A musician friend of mine told me about singer/guitarist Raul Midon, recently. Wow! You should check this guy out. Great singer-great compositions-beautiful guitar playing. I bought his new CD, State of Mind. If fact, I see from his website that he will be in Japan next week. He will be doing a couple of concerts in Shibuya on 1/29-30 at Shibuya Ax.

Written at 1/27/2006 12:29:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

1/26/06 Loneliness As A Foreigner.....

Sometimes it's too easy to think that my occasional loneliness in Japan is because I'm a foreigner. Today I was thinking back to 1979 in Boston. That year was REALLY a lonely time. I also felt some of that in New York and Washington, D.C.

Written at 1/26/2006 02:41:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

1/25/06 Tonight At JZ BRAT....SOLD-OUT!

Written at 1/25/2006 02:35:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

1/24/06 Ever Have A Day Like This.......

Written at 1/24/2006 02:28:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Monday, January 23, 2006

1/23/06 Strange Seeing My Old House....

Saw a newspaper from my hometown today. One of the houses I owned "back in those days" is for sale. Compared to my 6 tatami mat room where I'm living in Tokyo, this house looks huge. I lived here from around 1989-93. Then I moved to a little bigger place on a higher mountain..a lot more isolated and quiet.

Written at 1/23/2006 02:14:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

1/22/06 Video Podcast #7

1/22/06 Video Podcast

Tokyo, Japan
January 21, 2006
First snow of the year!

Written at 1/22/2006 03:52:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

1/21/06 Come On(!)....Give Me A Big Kiss......

Written at 1/21/2006 02:31:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

1/21/06 Had Fun Last Night At Starbucks......

Usually I take a walk everyday and end up going to Starbucks for a cup of coffee and some reading. This is what I was doing last night at Starbucks in Tokyo.

Actually, last night I drank 3 iced soy milks with hazelnut.

Written at 1/21/2006 02:21:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Friday, January 20, 2006

1/20/06 My First Starbucks Gig...

Had a nice time tonight...met some really nice people and of course drank some great coffee......

Written at 1/20/2006 11:08:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

1/19/06 Livedoor....No Surpise.....

As many of you have heard the government raided the offices of Livedoor and the home of the president Horie on "suspicion" of wrong-doing. I have watched Horie and Livedoor in the media with interest over the past few years. I have enjoyed his style of business and have been kind of amused at the reaction he has gotten from the business community. His fresh and creative energy seems to bother some folks. As I watched the Nikkei start to "meltdown" yesterday afternoon, I couldn't help but think that someone had miscalculated the effect that Monday's raid and publicity would have on the overall market.

Speaking of publicity....I was amazed at the front page of the Japan Times on Tuesday morning. The Livedoor story covered 50% of the front page. There was a "tiny" space given to a story about Mizuho bank in which some staff had stolen over 1 billion yen from customers accounts! Another story (small) was related to the housing scandal in which a major contractor admitted that he lied about the information on contracts related to the ability of his buildings to survive earthquakes.

Written at 1/19/2006 05:38:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

1/19/06 Train "Accident".......

Just got back from my walk. I usually walk to SATY and have a cup of coffee at Starbucks, read and then go home (often stopping at the park to exercise a bit outside). I had a really long walk this morning so I decided to take the train home from SATY. Got to the station and realized that an "accident" had just happened. When I first came to Japan and ran into train delays, everyone always told me it was an "accident". It took me a while to catch-on. Usually these "accidents" are suicides. Today someone jumped off the platform in front of an express train that was "flying" through Tobu Nerima station. I can't imagine the pain that person was feeling inside before they jumped. After going through depression for years (because of hypothyroidism...because of radiation treatments to my throat), I can understand that someone might feel so much pain that they can see only one option for themselves. But, it's never been an option for me. Today, when I came upon this scene at the station, I felt sick...nauseous... 10-15 guys down on the tracks picking-up the pieces. I couldn't help but to think what a selfish act it was. So many people are touched by this situation. This is 3rd time that I have arrived at or been at a scene of suicide around a train station. One other time I arrived just after a guy jumped out of a 6th floor window. But, he survived. Today, I felt such an eerie feeling....it was deep....of course I felt sick and shocked by the whole situation but, beyond that, I sensed some deep feeling...something spiritual. I can't really explain. My vocabulary seems to be limited in this area. Last year, there were over 33,000 suicides in Japan....over 90 per day! It's beyond my comprehension.

Written at 1/19/2006 05:05:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

1/19/06 Never Give Up.......

Someone was talking to me the other day. Saying they don't know if they would fight to stay alive like I did with cancer or some other situation like that. I don't know any other way to be. I remember going to karate class in high school. Maybe 30 people in the first class. 2 weeks later, maybe 15 people in the class. 3 months later maybe 10 people in the class....maybe 5 of those really serious about being there. It was the same when I played other sports. When I was at West Virginia University, there were about 300 music majors. When school finished in May, I went to Washington, D.C. to the U.S. Navy Band. Maybe 3-4 other people had playing jobs to go to. I came to Tokyo after having cancer...going through a painful divorce...severe depression...no money...I knew one musician in Tokyo before I got here. I couldn't speak, read or write Japanese. Didn't have a place to live. I had sold most of my equipment in New York (piece by piece each month) to pay rent and buy food. I had to buy a flugelhorn (on the way!!!) to my first recording session in Tokyo (King Records). Moving into a new city is always difficult for musicians because there are already circles of players living there and trying to survive. It's tough to "get in". Japan is especially difficult to enter for business just because of some of the history of being closed to foreigners and "other" factors. I've had "ups and downs" with my health these past 7 years in Japan. In the past 2 years, I've started to have a lot of trouble with my teeth because of the intense radiation treatment I went through in Baltimore 14 years ago. Doctors told me back then I might lose all of my teeth.

Anyway, I could go on and on but, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter how high the obstacles get piled up in front of me, I NEVER GIVE UP. Never means never. It doesn't mean not to give when things are going great or so so or ok..it means never give up....no matter how difficult the situation...no matter what.

Written at 1/19/2006 02:28:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

1/19/06 Maybe I Screwed-up My Blog......

I tried to get fancy the other day with my blog....doing some programming...connecting to another ftp site. I hope I haven't destroyed my blog. I've contacted BLOGGER to see if they can help.

Written at 1/19/2006 02:22:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

1/18/06 Podcast #16

1/18/06 PODCAST #16

Neil talking about some software he is using for podcast interviews and with iPod. Also, a couple of musical selections from 24 years ago when he was a senior at West Virginia University.

MP3 File

Written at 1/18/2006 04:38:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

1/18/06 Strange Time For A Walk....

Just got in...3:30am....had to take some dvd's and cd's back to the rental shop by 3. Its sooo cold and windy outside tonight. But, I enjoyed the walk so much (about 20 minutes each way). I was walking along listening to the Chicago Symphony doing Bartok on my iPod and I'm eating some ice cream from 7/11....yes...ice cream....at 3am. Crazy? Haha....maybe....all I know is that I enjoy the hell out of every day.

Written at 1/18/2006 03:17:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

1/17/06 Getting Full Use Of My iPod.....

Well, I have to say, as a guy that wasn't very interested in having an iPod I'm certainly getting full use of it now.

About 500 CD's loaded on the iPod.
About 5000 songs on the Pod.
My Japanese course on the Pod.
Practice CD's (piano-bass-drums)+me playing along
Take the Pod to trumpet lessons and let students hear examples by patching into the practice room stereos
Have a mic now to record Podcast interviews using the iPod
My schedule on my MAC G5, cellphone and iPod all iSYNCED
Contains about 500 contacts-phone #'s, email addresses..etc
Games
About 1500 photos loaded
Loading books from the Gutenburg Project website for free using Wordpod software (free download)
My To Do list downloaded from and synced with the G5 and cellphone
Downloading text files/emails whatever that I want to read later, maybe on the train

Written at 1/17/2006 02:31:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Monday, January 16, 2006

1/16/06 Music Business......

Tokyo Nights Blog Address Change!!!!!!

http://neilstalnaker.blogspot.com

Tokyo Nights Blog Address Change!!!!!!

http://neilstalnaker.blogspot.com

Tokyo Nights Blog Address Change!!!!!!

http://neilstalnaker.blogspot.com

Tokyo Nights Blog Address Change!!!!!!

http://neilstalnaker.blogspot.com

I love music but, I don't love the music business.

Sometimes I feel like I'm forced to be in
some not very creative situations so that I
can survive musically.

Been playing trumpet for 34 years. But often
feel like I haven't progressed since college.

How to improve. How to get better. How to
play more creatively. How to play with more
feeling and "soul". How to improve my time
and rhythm.

I think about these things everyday.

Written at 1/16/2006 10:19:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Sunday, January 15, 2006

1/15/06 Check This Out!

4 year old trumpet prodigy in northern virginia

Written at 1/15/2006 01:24:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

1/15/06 New Interviews From The I.A.J.E. In New York.....

I.A.J.E. Interviews

This week there are about 7000 musicians and teachers in New York City for the annual International Association of Jazz Educators Conference. It's always a great "hang". It just kills me not to be there this year. I always run into so many old friends and am shocked hearing so many new great players from all over the world. I had the pleasure of playing at the Conference in L.A. in 1985.

I.A.J.E. is a great resource and tool for young musicians and provides a huge opportunity for pros to perform in schools and do clinics/workshops all year.

Written at 1/15/2006 12:56:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Saturday, January 14, 2006

1/14/06 Video Podcast #6

This is a song I wrote for my daughter, Ariana, a few years ago set to a photo slide show of her....enjoy!

Written at 1/14/2006 12:22:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

1/14/06 Musicians Are Expert Mind Readers....

A musician friend from Vancouver sent this to me recently......

MUSICIANS ARE EXPERT MIND READERS

When requesting a song from the band, just say, "Play
my song!" We have a chip implanted in our heads with an unlimited
database with the favorite tunes of every patron who ever walked into a bar &
all songs ever recorded, so feel free to be vague, we love the challenge.

If we do not remember exactly what tune you want, we're only kidding.
Bands know every song ever recorded, so keep humming. Hum harder if need be
... it helps jog the memory.

If a band tells you they do not know a song you want to hear, they either
forgot that they know the tune or they are just putting you on. Try singing
a few words for the band. Any words will do.

It also helps to scream your request from across the room several times per
set followed by the phrases, "AW COME ON!" and, "YOU SUCK!" Exaggerated
hand gestures expressing disapproval from the dance floor are a big help as
well, such as the thumbs down or your middle finger. Put-downs are the best
way to jog a band's memory. This instantly promotes you to the status of
"Personal Friend Of The Band."

Entertainers are notorious fakers & jokesters and never really prepare for
their shows. They simply walk on stage with no prior thought to what they
will do once they arrive. An entertainer's job is so easy, even a monkey
could do it; so don't let them off the hook easily.
Your request is all
that matters.

If a metal band had played at the club a few weeks ago, the next band that
follows will automatically know every metal tune the previous band ever
played, even if the current band is a blues or country band. It's the law.
Feel free to yell AC DC or SLAYER!! To a band that plays strictly originals
or jazz for example. Conversely, Deadheads may yell for Grateful Dead tunes
at a dance or metal band.

IMPORTANT

when an entertainer leans over to hear you better grab his or her head in
both hands and yell directly into their ear, while holding their head
securely so they cannot pull away. This will be taken as an invitation to a friendly &
playful game of tug of war between their head and your hands.

Don't give up! Hang on until the singer or guitar player submits. Drummers
are often safe from this fun game since they usually sit in the back,
protected by the guitar players. Keyboard players are protected by their instrument, & only play the game when tricked into coming out from behind their
keyboards. Though difficult to get them play, it's not impossible, so keep
trying. They're especially vulnerable during the break between songs.

TALKING WITH THE BAND

The best time to discuss anything with the band in any meaningful way is at
the middle of a song when all band members are singing at the same time.
Our hearing is so advanced that we can pick out your tiny voice from the
megawatt wall of sound blasting all around us. Musicians are expert lip
readers too. If a musician does not reply to your question or comment
during a tune, it's because they didn't get a good look at your mouth in
order to read your lips.

Simply continue to scream your request & be sure to over emphasize the words
with your lips. This helps immensely. Don't be fooled.

Singers have the innate ability to answer questions & sing at the same time.
If the singer doesn't answer your questions immediately, regardless of how
stupid the question may seem, it's because they are purposely ignoring you.
If this happens, immediately cop an attitude. We love this.

HELPING THE BAND

If you inform the band that you are a singer, the band will appreciate your
help with the next few tunes, or however long you can remain standing on
stage. Just pretend you're in a Karaoke bar. Simply feel free to walk up on
stage & join in. By the way, the drunker you are, the better you sound, &
the louder you should sing.

If by chance you fall off the stage, be sure to crawl back up & attempt to
sing harmony. Keep in mind that nothing assists the band more than
outrageous dancing; third & fourth part harmonies, or a tambourine played
out of tempo. Try the cowbell, they love the challenge. The band
always needs the help & will take this as a compliment.

VERY IMPORTANT

Remember to allow enough time to make it from the stage to the bathroom in
case of an emergency. On stage accidents are bad form. The band will carry on.

BONUS TIP

As a last resort, wait until the band takes a break and then get on stage
and start playing their instruments. They love this. Even if you are
ejected from the club, you can rest assured in the fact that you have
successfully completed your audition. The band will call you immediately
the following day to offer you a position.

See you at the next gig ...
The Band

Written at 1/14/2006 11:49:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Friday, January 13, 2006

1/13/06 Podcast #14a

Friday, January 13, 2006 Happy New Year!

MP3 File

Written at 1/13/2006 12:47:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

1/12/06 My Mom's Buddy....

Written at 1/12/2006 01:00:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

1/11/06 Trains In Tokyo....

People ask me why I don't drive in Tokyo. I ask why? Just look at the map above. This is only a subway map of Tokyo. This doesn't include the dozens of train lines that run above ground!!!

Written at 1/11/2006 03:35:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

1/10/06 Big Band Gig On January 25.....

I'll be playing with the Serendipity Big Band at JZ Brat, in Shibuya, on January 25th. If you have time, please come by.

Written at 1/10/2006 03:29:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Monday, January 09, 2006

1/09/06 Not Usually Political Here, But Couldn't Resist This....

http://www.opensecrets.org/

Written at 1/09/2006 05:29:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Sunday, January 08, 2006

1/08/06 Had A Good Time Today......

Did a music video taping today for Toyota at TAKE Studios in the TV Asahi Building in Akasaka. I don't usually do those kinds of projects but, it was a lot of fun. Hope to do it again soon....

Written at 1/08/2006 05:26:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Good Luck To My Son........

My son Louie is on the West Virginia ODP (Olympic Development Program) Soccer Team. They are in a tournament in North Carolina this weekend.

I wish him luck and most of all just have a good time playing in the tournament (regardless of the outcome).

Written at 1/07/2006 02:08:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Friday, January 06, 2006

In My iPod.....

I have about 500 CD's in my iPod now. However, I'm only listening to a small percentage of those. Recently, some people have asked me what I'm listening to. Here is what what I've been into lately:

Alicia Keyes..........Songs In A Minor & Unplugged
Booker Ervin.........The In Between
Brian McKnight.....From Here To There
D'Angelo..............Brown Sugar
Eric Benet.............True To Myself
George Duke........Face The Music
Keith Jarrett.........The Out Of Towners
Luther Vandross...Live At Radio City Music Hall
Marcus Miller.......Tales
Pepper Adams......Motor City Scene
Woody Shaw.........Stepping Stones Live At The Village Vanguard
Healing Gospels... Stevie Wonder and Take 6

Written at 1/06/2006 01:25:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Thursday, January 05, 2006

New Years Haircut.....

Yeeeppppp....I got the New Years haircut.....maybe a little short.

Written at 1/05/2006 11:59:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Shock....Sad......

I'm shocked....sad......now the word has been reversed.....saying maybe only 1 survivor in the West Virginia mining accident.

Written at 1/04/2006 05:04:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

MINERS FOUND ALIVE IN WEST VIRGINIA MINE!!!!

I've been closely following the situation near my hometown in West Virginia. 13 miners trapped underground in a coal mine. Just walked in the door and saw the breaking news on CNN. 12 of the miners found ALIVE!!! I heard someone on CNN say, "miracles do happen in West Virginia". My grandfather was a coal miner. I've had family and friends in the coal business. It's such a dangerous life but an important part of the USA economy. No one knows the huge risk those folks take every single day when they go underground.

Written at 1/04/2006 02:16:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Video Podcast #5

Here is a Dec. 2004 recording of "Sunrise" with Yuichi Inoue (piano), Tsutomu Kuroda (bass) and Mike Reznikoff (drums).

Written at 1/04/2006 03:35:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Video Podcast #4

EAST/WEST UNIT at Miles Cafe (Tokyo) 11/10/05

Written at 1/03/2006 10:28:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Video Podcast #3

December 2005 Tokyo, Japan Interview of bassist Jeff Curry

Written at 1/03/2006 03:31:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Video Podcast #2

Tokyo "Last Train" Scene

Written at 1/03/2006 03:25:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Monday, January 02, 2006

Video Podcast #1

Asakusa Temple, Tokyo, Japan january 1 2006

Written at 1/02/2006 03:19:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Asakusa 2006 (video)...

Asakusa 2006
Last night, made the annual trip to the Asakusa Temple. I like to come here every year on New Years Eve and early morning of January 1. I'm not a Buddhist or Shinto but, I can appreciate the spirituality of what's happening here. Honestly, I'm totally captivated by the architecture, large numbers of people (3-4 million in a 2-3 day period) and especially the outdoor food stands. The food is so enjoyable on a cold January morning around 2-3am. Hope you can view and enjoy the video.

If you have trouble viewing this video, you can click on the link below and view this video as a quicktime movie at my .MAC website (on larger screen).
ASAKUSA 2006 QUICKTIME MOVIE

Written at 1/01/2006 06:15:00 PM by neil stalnaker.

Happy New Year!!!!!

Happy New Year !!!!!

Written at 1/01/2006 04:45:00 AM by neil stalnaker.

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