First of all, Happy New Year to everyone - may your 2010 be full of health, hope, and happiness!

 

2009 was a great year for me, and it rang out in fine style. I spent another few months on the road with the second national tour of Wicked, a great company to work and travel with, and I miss those friends already. After I got back from Wicked I played the 50th Annual LA Holiday Celebration concert at the Music Center with Vox Lumiere and the Definiens Project, and after a breath to enjoy Christmas I got to ring in the New Year in Vegas onstage yet again with the MVPs - this year we opened for Earth, Wind, and Fire, which was an honor and a real treat.

 

While I was on the road the debut album from my band Wonk was released - I’m very proud of my playing and production on this and it’s just the most fun band and greatest group of guys to play with. Our official CD release party is January 27 at the Baked Potato in North Hollywood, would love to see my LA friends out there if you can make it. I’m also happy to be on the brand new release from bassist (and fellow Wonk rhythm section mate) Derek Frank, I play percussion throughout his excellent “Let The Games Begin”. With those two coming on the heels of Kate Higgins’ “Little Parts” (which I produced as well), Pi’s “Fire Horse Girl”, Funk This’ “Diggin’”, and Sarah Taylor’s “The Cure To Everything”. it was a really nice year for me on the recording front.

 

Moving from the indie to the corporate world: James Cameron’s 3-D blockbuster “Avatar” is out in the universe now as well - although I was a tiny cog in the machine, I did assist composer James Horner on the pre-production of the score, so I’ll take my small satisfaction in a job well done over box office points I guess.

 

I’ll be busy writing and playing in the weeks to come, and I have a fun gig coming up in February with the acclaimed trumpeter Chris Botti and the Pacific Symphony.

 

And Melissa and I have a special “production” coming soon...very soon!

 

Many thanks to all of you for your continued support and inspiration - thanks for stopping by and I hope to see & hear you soon!

 

                                                                                                                            JDA

                                                                                                                            January 2010