With plans to leave around 10 am from my home in New Jersey for the huge inaugural event, we miraculously found ourselves on the road down to Washington DC around 12 noon (no doubt a record time). Driving to Washington is no sweat; three hours by way of car via I-95 south through New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and finally ending up at our nations capitol. Once we arrived in Washington, the energy was charged and contagious. With the smiling faces and exuberant laughter of hundreds of people lining every block, there was no doubt that the United States of America was oozing with anticipation for not only this historic event, but the promise of a new era in American History. Despite the heavy security and relentless traffic, the energy continued to hold strong as we slowly headed to our hotel destination. We assumed that finding our hotel would be an easy feat. With our familiarity of the grid system in Manhattan, Washington's navigation would be seemingly as logical. 15th street, 16th street, 17th street, with cross streets of state names, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire or letters of the alphabet. In a split second we decided to execute a right hand turn (should have made a left turn which would have brought us right to the hotel). At that very moment, President Elect, Barack Obama arrived in DC. Being that our hotel was only a few short blocks from the White House and for security sake, almost every street was placed in lock down. Every turn seemed to land us farther and farther away from our destination. Dead ends and gridlock traffic were at every turn. After a whopping three hours of hopeless navigation, the traffic seemed to break up; we were finally on the way to our hotel. Exhausted from the trip, we looked forward to checking in and having a well deserved, relaxing dinner.
As we drew closer to the hotel, we immediately looked for parking. When every parking garage we saw was closed, we were sure that this trip was a conspiracy against us! After several desperate phone calls, we were told that most of the garages were closed through Wednesday for security purposes. Our Exhausted demeanor quickly turned to irritation and frustration as talks of turning around and going home filled our psyche. An edgy discussion with our hotels front desk finally yielded some answers, and the location of an open parking garage a few blocks away. We pulled over, unloaded our obviously over-packed luggage, and split up. Half the team went to the hotel with the luggage and the other half went on mission impossible; finding Washington's last open parking garage. I decided to accept the latter mission and drove off (not in my Astin Martin) to park. After finding the garage a few blocks away, we headed towards the hotel. To follow suit with the rest of the trip, the hotel (on 17th street) was more than just a few block away and had apparently disappeared. I then noticed that the adjacent street was also 17th street (yes, there are two 17th streets in DC). Completely confused and at the end of my rope, I stormed over to 17th street (the sequel) and soon found the hotel. Once we settled in, we headed off to dinner at Bobby Van's (www.bobbyvans.com) for a delicious and relaxing meal.
Capitol hill was beauitfully illuminated and the breathtaking view seemed automatically to infuse patriotism into our blood. The Washington monument was mesmerizing. Even the fact that we once again had to walk past both 17th streets couldn't bring us down. Little did we know what was in store for us the next day and in hindsight, erased any reluctance about the trip.
Monday, January 19 - The GIGS
Of course, I woke up early to practice. I was cranky from the moment I awoke and knew that I had two events to perform at later that day/evening. My first event was to be at Noon at "Sam and Harry's Restaurant." After the night before, sitting in traffic for 31/2 hours, our entire team was in a bad mood and was ready to blow off Washington as soon as possible. After my Starbucks (Half Caf. Cappucino with two pumps of vanilla), I started feeling better and so Charles and I treated the whole crew to Starbucks which raised everyone's spirits. We arrived at Sam and Harry's (www.samandharrys.com) around 12:15 and this is when our excitement really started to build. We were escorted through this fantastic place filled with classic Jazz Art. There were many people anticipating our arrival and we were escorted to be introduced. Senate Majority Leader Reid, Bob Kerry (former Senator and Dean of the New School in NY), Gary Parenti, and so many lobbiest and congressman. Then it was time for me to sequester myself and warm up to play around 2:30. I was a bit nervous, as I was playing the Bach Partita live for the first time. My performance really did go swimmingly, bar the fact that the camera died halfway through. I barely remember the performance and was unable to able to see the audience reaction, which I am told was outrageous, thunderous, and unprecedented in a crowd of lawyers and politicians. My team is amazing and always so prepared and had another camera on hand for the later events.
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After Partita , I played Summertime and then I was escorted to meet the mayor of Buffalo, Byron Brown, who had requested a formal introduction. He and some of his colleagues talked with Charles and I for a few minutes and then offered to give me the key to the city of Buffalo. Charles is in charge of these kinds of things and as soon as we know anyting we will share the news.
We schmoozed for the next hour or so and ate fantastic hors d'eurves like small italian meat subs, chicken satay, and mini-eggrolls. A glass of wine or two, and Charles and I went off to explore Washington for a while. The Whitehouse was already under heavy security and practically closed off. We shopped for a bit, went to the Capitol to watch it be prepared for inauguration day, went to the Lincoln Memorial, then went back to the hotel for a quick snooze before my evening event.
We left for the Smithsonian Castle around 7:00. Many of the roads were barred so, Charles and I had to walk several blocks to get to the venue for the evening performance. As we approached the Smithsonian Castle, we looked at each other and said... "is that where we are going!" Talk about an incredible place! Inside, everywhere we looked was something incredible to see. Taxadermied conquests of President Teddy Roosevelt, artifacts from many of the US Space crafts, including the Apollo 13. We saw Americana art that had our eyes popping out of our heads. The actual building was just as grand. Its architecture, moldings, ceilings, ambience was awe inspiring. I just kept thinking, "pinch me... this is where I am playing?"
The crowd was larger than I had anticipated.
The food was first rate and nostalgic; classic american fair. Corndogs, mini hamburgers, New York style bite sized pizzas. Most people were drinking "Mint Obama Spritzers" which were comprised of mint, lime, rum, and sugar cane... in other words, they named a mojito after Obama for the evening which I found very fitting. The powers that "be" informed us that I would be on around 10, after the speeches. So around 9:00 we made our way to the front of the Castle where the band would be and began to prepare for my performance (or so I thought). Instead I was again escorted for introductions. I first met David Patterson, Governor of New York, who was soft spoken, kind, and told me that he had heard so much about me and could not wait for my performance. I thanked the governor and then was taken to meet several people who I couldn't place. They were all very complimentary of my CD and many asked for pictures with me...
More pictures to come.And then...
I was taken to meet the soon to be Secretary of State, Senator Hillary Clinton. We chatted for a few minutes. She had planned to leave right after her speech, but upon hearing that Phoebe Snow was on my record and realizing that I was the trumpet player her husband was going on and on about, she decided to stay for my set... Who would ever believe that?! (Several weeks ago a copy of Resonance was delivered directly to President Bill Clinton who is also a huge Phoebe fan... I found out that he loved my CD which is an honor) Hillary was gracious, elegant, and lovely and Charles kept saying that we need to hire her stylist.
By the time I was ready to walk on stage I was in a whirlwind of wide eyed wonder. I was playing with the Miles Stiebel Band (www.milesstiebel.com) and loved there voicing, I recommend checking them out. They were all so accomidating and easy going. I played "A Fine Romance" (as recorded on my album) with the band, as well as "My funny Valentine" and "My Favorite Things."
When I was finished playing I walked off the stage and Secretary Clinton and Governor Patterson were waiting to congratulate me. I took some pictures with them, thanked them for having me, and left this surreal event. The whole way back to the hotel, I tried to recollect and understand what had happened in my day... It all seemed like it was a dream and hadn't happened at all. Luckily, Charles had that second camera and we were able to confirm that infact we were not in the "Twilight Zone," but it actually was reality.
We left DC as early as possible on Tuesday morning and made it home in time to watch the Inauguration. Having been there just a few hours before, I really understood how charged DC was with energy, it was overwhelming and emotional just to walk the streets there. Obama's speech was so inspiring. I agree that we all must march on and look toward the horizon, especially in times of great difficulty. We must remember what connects us, not what makes us different. My new record Resonance is about just that... hope, joy, and believing that all things on heaven and earth are possible, and people coming together to resonate in possibility and positivity. I am humbled by the greatness of my fellow citizens... my friends... my family... our country's leaders. I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams, and so are we all.
Great Pics!!!
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