Viewing: Dmitri Matheny Memoir - View all posts
SNOW AT THE FORTRESS OF SASSITUDE
Centralia WA
January 3, 2016
BOO'S FIRST SNOW
Centralia, Washington
January 3, 2016
A GOOD OMEN
2016 is going to be fully loaded and soulfully delicious.
2016 RESOLUTIONS
The year of Scout! Train puppy to be a good home dog and road dog.
Coordinate distribution of Jazz Noir to radio and reviewers.
Prepare fresh DMG sets. Focus touring mostly in the northwest region.
Fewer gigs, higher fees, larger audiences.
Get back to playing long tones every day. Make it a habit.
Continue to eat right, exercise, lose weight and build muscle.
Take good care of Sassy, Scout, Ninji, Boo and the Fortress of Sassitude.
Plant a vegetable garden and a Japanese Maple.
Don’t be afraid. Play your way. Find your voice.
Get out from under the master’s shadow. It’s time.
50TH BIRTHDAY BASH AT THE NASH
50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
THE NASH
for Dmitri Matheny’s
50th Birthday Bash
It’s the ideal location
for jazz jubilation on an auspicious occasion
our quinquagenarian celebration
at one of the best clubs in the nation
Saturday
DECEMBER 19
7:30 to 9:30 pm
join us for cake, prizes, games
and live music, featuring
Nick Manson piano
T-Bone Sistrunk bass
John Lewis drums
Dmitri Matheny flugelhorn
and surprise guests
Tickets
$15 general
$12.50 advance
THE NASH
110 E Roosevelt Street Phoenix
thenash.org | 602-795-0464
THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF
In the spirit of today’s THANKSGIVING holiday, I want to express my gratitude to all our supporters, friends and fans for helping to make JAZZ NOIR a reality.
Here’s an update:
We’ve finished all four recording sessions (twelve selections in all), and are now mixing the album!
Last night’s downtown photo shoot — under neon lights, in the shadowy streets — was a cinema-worthy thrill.
Soon we’ll ship the music and images to our art director, annotator and mastering engineer so they may begin their creative work.
We’re on track for a February 20 release and can’t wait to share it with you.
Watch our teaser trailer and pre-order yours HERE.
JAZZ NOIR, in the words of Sam Spade, is “the stuff that dreams are made of.”
Thanks for making our dreams come true!
~Dmitri
ACCEPTANCE
READY FOR WINTER
Now all I need is a puppy.
BETWEEN BATTLES
SUPPORT STAFF
I really miss my valued SUPPORT STAFF back at the home office.
ROAD DOGS
Walkies with Weimaraner wonder dog Lara Knific!
THE SEATTLE SEVEN
(L-R) Phil Sparks, Todd Strait, Jay Thomas, Nick Manson,
Dmitri Matheny, Bill Anschell, David Lange
David Lange Studios
Edgewood WA
August 20, 2015
STARSTRUCK
August 15, 2015
Centralia WA
CHRISTMAS IN JULY!
MR. WASHINGTON GREETS THE DAY
CRUISIN'
OZYMANDIAN DREAM
Part One
I'm a young man, proud to be a member of the prestigious Philosopher's Forum.
Our meeting place is a stately hall with white columns, not unlike a Roman temple, perched atop a steep hill.
The names of the great philosophers, our wise elders, are chiseled on the marble wall.
There's a grand salon where the elders speak and an archive where their lectures are recorded for posterity.
Our favorite days are when the elders visit to share their life experiences and ideas.
My friends and I gather in the grand salon, listen attentively and ask many questions.
Afterward we meet in the archive to read the great lectures of the past.
We passionately debate the nuances and meaning of every phrase.
Part Two
It's now decades later.
I'm honored to have been invited to speak at the Forum, but when I arrive, it is not as I remember.
The columns are crumbling and the marble wall is covered in graffiti.
The names of the elders, long dead, are barely legible beneath the chaotic scrawl.
The grand salon has been carved up into dozens of tiny rooms.
There are too many speakers and everyone is shouting.
I struggle to communicate with a restless young audience.
They seem distracted and have no questions.
Afterward, I ask if I may visit the archive.
“Yeah, we don't really have that anymore,” I'm told.
“It's a Chipotle now.”
2015 RESOLUTIONS | PROGRESS REPORT
It's hard to believe that Q1 of 2015 is already behind us.
I set some pretty ambitious goals in January.
Here's where things stand today:
Practice Art Farmer improv method religiously.
I've been inconsistent in my practice. Will recommit.
Finish writing Jazz Noir material for 2016 recording.
Wrote 3 new charts. 2 are keepers. More to come.
Create and learn fresh DMG sets: 11 tunes, 2 original.
Done!
Pay health insurance first every month, no matter what.
So far, so good.
Walk or swim daily. Lose 5 pounds monthly, 60 by year-end.
On track: eating right and walking every day.
Down 16 pounds since the new year.
Increase number of workshops nationally from 54 to 100.
Way behind on this. Only 23 booked so far.
Redoubling my efforts.
Increase touring income by 20% while playing 20 fewer shows.
Fail. I'm working more but making less.
Net income YTD is 43% greater than in Q1 2014, but 40% short of goal,
and per gig average is only 88% of 2014 levels.
Bump per gig average by 5% and increase total net income by 27%.
Not looking good (see above). Need to improve these margins.
Eschew cynicism, laugh often and see the best in people.
They sure don't make it easy but I'm mostly grateful and happy.
When the time is right, get a dog!
Not yet...
SPECIAL DELIVERY
last night to deliver two of his signature resin-sealed portraits to us at Dizzy's.
I love the colors in this image (based on a photo by Tom Kwas).
Great to meet you and your family, Mr. Plummer!
WELCOME BACK
there was always a 45-minute wait at Breakfast Spot #1
but you'd get a table right away at Breakfast Spot #2.
I'm pleased to report that nothing has changed.
And the Yukon Gold Home Fries are every
bit as yummy as you remember.
TRIPTYCH
REMEMBERING ORRIN KEEPNEWS (1923-2015)
(L-R) Dave Ellis tenor saxophone, Dmitri Matheny flugelhorn, Orrin Keepnews producer,
Bill Douglass bass, Kenny Wollesen drums, John Heller guitar
SELFIE
I got it good, and that ain't bad.