2023
Hi.
Where have I been?
Maybe you are wondering? If you follow me on the other socials I’ve been largely absent from posting there too.
The second half 2023 was a challenging time.
I was lucky and thankful to be in good health, but some of the people closest to me are enduring some health challenges that have called my attention away from making music. Many projects have been slowed down or sidelined as a result, including this Substack.
I am hopeful that 2024 will bring better health for all, and more time and mental clarity to devote to new original music in the form of recordings and gigs. I hope you’ll be receptive to it when it appears.
What I did get done in 2023 I was quite happy with.
LOST IN TRANSIT released videos and streaming audio of some of our repertoire, and we hope to do some more videos of this nature early in 2024.
Rob Price and I continued our adventures, with some fun gigs in Toronto with Michael Kaler (my rhythm section mate in Starfires and playsDEAD) joining us on bass, and a hot and sweaty set at the fabulous Downtown Music Gallery in NYC in July with Myles Sloniker rounding out the trio. That gig was particularly special thanks to many NYC friends that came out to see us, the enduring support and warmth from DMG boss Bruce Lee Gallanter, and that my 14yr old daughter was in attendance! Her and I were in the midst of a gargantuan road trip from Toronto through the southeast USA an up to NYC and then back to Toronto.
This year I also made the decision to upload the bulk of my recorded catalogue to streaming services. I did so holding my nose, as the streaming services are still odious with respect to the financials and I suspect the overall intent of those operating them, but this is how most people listen to music now, and certainly how anyone discovers new music. Here’s the catalogue on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube.
Some of the groups I performed with in 2023 included:
trios with Rob Price and Michael Kaler, and Myles Sloniker
LOST IN TRANSIT
The Starfires
Arnd Jurgenson’s Pickle Juice Trio
Terry Jones & David Woodhead
The Ossingtones
Caution Jam
The Mark Thackway Band
The Root Down Trio
Away from the drums, I collaborated as an editor on two drum book projects that will hopefully be released in 2024. Both with drummers named Jeff! A book on rhythmic phrasing with Jeff Sipe, and a rudimental snare drum collection with Jeff Asselin.
DRUMEVERYDAY has been very busy this year, and having the opportunity to share with, and learn from, my students continues to nourish me.
To close things out, here’s a recent photo of myself and the great guitarist Michael Keith taken during a very rare visit he made to Toronto. Years ago, we slayed dragons in the trio SCARBOROUGH STREISAND with the great Glen Hall.
See you in 2024.
-CC