Don't Just Peep in the Window! Tonight, Proyecto Lando @ La Pena!

Last night we were rehearsing again for tonight's gig at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley. It's a show of adventurous and original proportions, mixing tunes by Peruvian percussionist/songwriter Pedro Rosales of Rompe y Raja with Afro-Cuban and even R&B elements (that's where I come in, singing Fallin' by Alicia Keys over a lilting landó lament). I also recorded my version of the tune for the new CD, available in limited quantities tonight.

As we rehearsed in a copy story on Solano Avenue in Albany, passers-by pressed their noses to the glass and tried to peer over posters taped on the closed doors. On the one hand it was lovely to know we drew attention, this cast of well over a dozen musicians rehearsing complex music with driving cajon- and cajita-based percussion.

On the other hand, a peevish voice in my head said, sure, they stop and listen now, but come time to fill a concert hall as an artist you practically have to donate a kidney to get an enthusiastic audience in the seats. Now, there are probably many factors at work here -- I'm just being honest about the feeling it brought up. I definitely don't advise browbeating people to get them to come to concerts -- though some might argue that it doesn't matter HOW you get them in the door so long as they're pleased once they get there. One reason we might have attracted so much attention last night, too, was the peep-show element: Hide something (even in plain sight), and people want to know what it is. Another might be simply the street music factor: There are lots of folks walking up and down Solano Ave, and they might have been pleasantly surprised by the sight of musicians shedding inside a copy shop. Finally, it didn't cost a thing for them to look through the window, whereas it will cost a few dollars to come see the live show tonight.

With that said, hope to see a good crowd there! Time to get ready for soundcheck!

Saturday, December 19th, 2009 8:00 PM
Pedro Rosales CD Release
La Pena Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705
510-849-2568
Tickets: $15
http://www.lapena.org

Act now! Save Pianist Fred Harris's Home!

In the past 2 weeks, $9,500 has been raised by jazz lovers, musicians and good Samaritans to keep pianist Frederick Harris from losing the San Francisco home that has been in his family for 39 years, in a neighborhood that thanks to gentrification now only houses three black families. Can you kick in some cash to help Fred?

From his bio:

Frederick Harris has been an active professional musician in San Francisco for many years. He graduated with a Master's Degree from the SF Conservatory and is an unusually gifted classical pianist. He's also been music director for numerous local theatre productions and has risen to great heights in the jazz world, where his credits include Dizzy Gillespie, Regina Carter, Billy Higgins, Chico Freeman, Barbara Morrison, Kurt Elling and many others. He is on the faculty of the Stanford Jazz Workshop and is the Music Director of St. John Coltrane African Orthodox Church. He teaches through Stanford and at his home studio.

Here is Fred's situation, in his own words:

"On December 11, '09, this home will be lost to foreclosure. Though I've resumed payents, Wells Fargo has returned them, and I need to raise $12,000.00 to stop the pending auction, set for 12/11. 12k is less than trifling to lose one's home by, and yet it's beyond my grasp, so I need your help. This will settle the arrears on the property, and keep me in my home, a home that's been 'in the family' virtually my entire life. Those of you who know me know that I'm not one to ask for help, generally, but an angel reminded me that there's nothing to lose in asking, nothing's gained in not (asking), and that one must try. It is in this spirit that I ask you to please securely donate whatever you can by simply clicking on the button below, or by mailing to Frederick Harris, P.O. Box 16642, S.F. CA 94116."

http://www.fhperformances.org/

I'm Your Man -- Original Song by Alexa Weber Morales

Just wrote this one today!

I’m Your Man
By Alexa Weber Morales © 2009

I’m your man
I’ve got everything covered
I can pay my own way
I can be your casual lover

I like to step out and have a good time
I know how to drink and fight
Sometimes I go too far or meet someone or lose my car
I stay out all night

I’m your man and life has shown me
Ain’t no one else who can help me stand
I’m your man and I know what to do
I learned long ago I can’t count on you

When someone says it can’t be done
I’m your man and I say Yes it can
I’m your man and I act real strong
I can fix anything and I’m never wrong

I’m your man and you don’t have to call me
I’ll magically appear when I’m needed
I’m your man and you don’t have to worry
I know when to beat it

Other men might be afraid of me
But I’ve got no choice this is who I’ve got to be
Sometimes I remember what it was like to be a girl
She’s got no place in this heartless world

I’m your man and I look so hard
Got mouths to feed, can’t let down my guard
I’m your man, this act is getting old
Deep inside there’s a woman’s soul

Don’t want to be your mother
Don’t want to be your wife
Don’t want to be your man
I want to share this life
It’s been so long, this act is getting old
Could you ever care for a woman’s soul

I’m your man
I’m your man
I’m your man
I’m your man

Quisiera Retroceder El Tiempo -- Cancion Original por Alexa Weber Morales

Quisiera Retroceder El Tiempo

Derechos de autor (c) 2009 por Alexandra L. Weber Morales

Quisiera retroceder el tiempo
Al hermoso descubrimiento
Que eras tierno y eras un tigre
Aún el encanto nos envuelve y vive

Te digo que tu me matas
Gozando el calor de tu piel
Apretando mi cintura me contestas
Tu me matas tambien

Desaparece el mundo
Al aferrarme a tus brazos
Trazas caricias con la punta de tu nariz
Que ricura tus labios

Quisiera retroceder el tiempo
Al hermoso descubrimiento
Que eras tierno y eras un tigre
Aún el encanto nos envuelve y vive

Crees conocerme
Esta noche soy tuya
Profundamente me miras
Lentamente nos amamos

Lo nuestro sigue en sueños
Un viento de la posibilidad
Lo vivo cuando cierro mis ojos
Este recuerdo no descansa, es mi realidad

Quisiera retroceder el tiempo
Al hermoso descubrimiento
Que eras tierno y eras un tigre
Aún el encanto nos envuelve y vive