Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Body Parts, Yak Stew, Stitches and the Watts Towers Jazz Festival

I got a shipment of horns recently. Fortunately they shipped right before Hurricane Irma became a problem. They were coming from Florida. The shot here shows the horns before I cut them. They are three rams horns, two gemsbok horns and a polished water buffalo horn. I would say that the cutting was successful, just not as much as I would have wished. One ram's, one gemsbok's and the buffalo were unmitigated successes. The others will be usable in some way or other. That is not a bad ratio as these things go. 50/50. By far the best of them all is the water buffalo horn. Not what I expected. 

Not many days after, I went out and had a bowl of yak stew. In my book it was soup, but the menu said stew and I figure they have their reasons.

I am in the midst of getting two tooth implants. The extractions took place a long time ago. Last two weeks ago the screws were put in. Last week the stitches came out. In two or three months the crowns will go on.

Sunday I went to the Watts Towers Jazz Festival. It was a difficult decision, I didn't want to leave the house. Vlatkovich was playing in a band led by Danny Cortez and Ray Harris. I went to Locke High School with those guys. I wanted to see them again. I had a talk with Danny, didn't get to speak with Ray. I ran into a lot of other people, some of whom I see often, others I hadn't seen for a decade or two. I don't always enjoy these experiences, but Sunday was fun. Until the pit bull...



Yak stew.

The stitches are out now.

I assume something is inscribed on this obelisk,
but I've never gone close to look. It is kind of
strange, standing out there all alone in that field. 


Had to get an order of chili fries. These evoke a very different
memory for me than chili rice. It is a Locke High School related
memory.


Two exceptional bassists. Nedra Wheeler and Michael Alvidrez.

Nedra Wheeler and yours truly.

Roy Gaines and his Tuxedo Blues Band.

Pianist and composer Bobby West on the left greeting a well-wisher.


Trombonist Phil Ranelin (right) in conversation listening to someone.

A dandy.

A music lover joining in.



Vocalist Dwight Trible.

Who else but Michael Vlatkovich?

Lisa Marie, Michael and Shante.

You can fill in the blanks.

Neal. Hadn't seen him for ages. 

Tracy getting ready to tuck into the burger at Hawkins.


Monday, September 18, 2017

End of Summer Into Fall, Part 2

Yes, there's more.

08/27. Nisei Week Ondo.

The Nisei Week Ondo marks the end of the Obon season. It was less populated this year, which made it a bit more enjoyable. I didn't dance at this one either. Actually, I've never danced at this one. Somehow it is less inviting, although this year is the only year I considered dancing.

Some miscreants scaling a local building.

Actually, I talked to them later in the day. They were nice kids having some fun. I'm glad they didn't get caught.



The Elvis' are at many of the Obons. This is the first time I've
seen this young guy, usually it is just the old guys. Mostly
really old guys. It is good to see that they are thinking of the future.



I see these enthusiastic guys at a lot of the Obons, but as individ-
uals. Today they found each other and jumped for joy.



I take a shot of this prison whenever I can find an excuse.

09/02. Hats from the Masonic Museum in the Marciano Museum in the old Scottish Rite Auditorium.

I have a thing for caps and hats. Needless to say, this place was an eye-opener. There are several I wouldn't mind having.













09/04. A new old instrument - the Cornu.
An instrument of the ancient (Hey, what's going on with the spelling rule: "i" before "e" except after "c?") Roman Legions. This horn was made by Brad Close. He made one for himself first. You can see it hanging on the wall in the top photo. I had him make one for me, with a receiver that could take a bass trombone mouthpiece, be a bit more conical and most importantly in pieces so that I can break it down for travel. A horn shaped like this one is very delicate and I intend to use it. I don't want damaged getting it around town. Brad didn't like doing it, but he did a very fine job. 




09/07. Fred Lonberg-Holm.

Fred is an improvising cellist based in Chicago, soon to move to New York. He had a performance scheduled in Los Angeles and was kind enough to ask me to join him for an improvisation. It went very well. Quite a lot of fun actually. It also gave me an excuse to have dinner at Fusion Burgers.


The two Michaels. Michael I., in the background; Michael V., in the foreground. Michael V., is not asleep, he is listening deeply.








09/12. Carl Stone.

Carl was also in town. A performance was offered at Art Share L.A. First was a duet with Akaihirume, followed by two improvisations with the large ensemble adding Tania Chen, Kio Griffith, Hans Fjellestad and yours truly. Masa Tsuzuki did the sound. It was Akaihirume's birthday. The cake was tasty.