Alexander Technique

While in California last week-I had 3 unbelievable Alexander Technique sessions-which I think technically are called "lessons"-with the wonderful teacher and healer Eileen Troberman.

This is a description from the main website "The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change (movement) habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a reeducation of the mind and body. The Alexander Technique is a method which helps a person discover a new balance in the body by releasing unnecessary tension. It can be applied to sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting, and other daily activities..." and here's the link http://alexandertechnique.com/at.htm
Eileen has her own website http://alexandertechniquesandiego.com/
Eileen helped me to relieve the stress from my surgeries and my hospital stay-and I am continuing to practice the lessons I learned from her. Here are some pictures that my friend, photographer and excellent foot reflexologist Grace took of one of my lessons with Eileen.
While Eileen was teaching me, there were times that I felt a great door had opened-and the tension that was released seemed almost "ancient"-in other words-tension from years ago as well as the surgeries. Then I felt lighter than a feather-just floating across the room.
Also, while working at the piano, the sound would change as the tension was released-and I didn't move my hands! It's all in the vibrations...;-)
That evening, Grace gave me a foot reflexology session-oh my, we discovered that there's still a lot of healing to be done, but Grace really got some energy moving through my legs and my abdomen.
The summer of healing continues...:-)
And one more thing-you'll notice from these pictures that I am loosing my hair at a very fast pace. I had a trim, and I'm using special shampoo, and taking vitamins but it's still falling out all over the place-so I'm just going with it.

Great fundraiser ...

on Sunday at the church in Montclair. There was a nice turn out, which was especially gratifying since it was such a gorgeous day. The church was flooded with sunlight and good feeling, kind of like being outdoors but better.

I got there after 4, but in plenty of time to hear a lot of great music from the Mike Kaplan Nonet, birdsong duets by D-Mo and Mark Dresser, and Diane's quintet. It was such a pleasure to hear Diane playing so well, and see her looking so great.

I have to single out George Cables' solo piano. The music was so beautiful and seemed to flow from him so effortlessly, it touched me deeply. I can't begin to explain what it did to me emotionally -- and words are my business. I'm tearing up thinking about it.

Last week I saw one of the final performances of August Wilson's great play "Joe Turner's Come and Gone." The heart of the story is what happens to a person who loses his song. That passed through my mind while listening to George play. I was hearing someone totally in touch with his song. I'm deeply grateful.

More soon ...

videos of Tina Marsh

In July 2007, with the help of a grant from Meet The Composer, Tina Marsh was a guest composer with our big band. We performed her composition Milky Way Dreaming, with Tina singing and conducting. Luckily, we had 3 people shooting video of the band that night, Curt Fissel, Dennis Connors and Ryen Tetzloff. I few days ago I asked Ryen to edit the segment of Tina and the band, and he as just finished-and what a beautiful job he did! Because of the time limit on youtube, Ryen edited the segment into 3 videos which you can see on our myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/dianemoserscomposersbigband
The third video features Tina entirely-and is the most profound for this moment in time.
Please take a minute to listen to this amazing vocalist and composer, a beautiful woman, and a beautiful soul who had a profound affect on everyone that she met.

Tina Marsh with String Quartet

Once again-this goes beyond versatility-this vocal work is pioneering. Not only that, but she has arranged her big band piece "Courage of the Butterfly" for string quartet and there is a beautiful film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YugS30QoRx8

more on Tina Marsh

I started looking for youtube videos on Tina, and I found this one-which I think speaks to her versatility and to the moment.....take a listen.........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bu7bsQmnDk

Tina Marsh

For those of you that were at the double 50th Birthday celebration for me and Gradie Stone, you will remember another guest vocalist on that night-Tina Marsh.
Tina Marsh is pictured in this photo from my quintet concert at Caldwell College featuring Ben Williams, Scott Neumann, Rob Middleton, myself and Ken Filiano-taken just before we went on stage.
I'm writing about this because Tina is now in her last stages of fighting breast cancer-she is at home with hospice care-the fight is over. I will be writing more about her later, but for now, please circle her with light and love as she prepares to make her transition.

More music and friendship

Fundraising efforts for pianist Diane Moser to continue with special concert event Sunday afternoon, June 14 in Montclair, NJ

Composer, pianist and bandleader Diane Moser has been a leading light in jazz and new music in the New York-New Jersey Area for nearly 20 years. As a writer the Montclair, NJ resident has received acclaim for her compositions, including a prestigious composition grant by Chamber Music America and a fellowship with the MacDowell Artists Colony. As a pianist, she has appeared with numerous top-flight musicians, such as Charles McPherson, Mark Dresser, Gerry Hemmingway among others, always lending her singular voice to the music. As a bandleader she has led numerous groups, most notably her Composer’s Big Band. Now she faces a new challenge, as she recovers from a rare form of cancer, in form of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and faces tremendous medical costs. In April her Composers Big band held the first of several fundraisers to help defray her medical expenses. A special concert benefit involving members of her local community as well as artists of international stature will be held on Sunday afternoon, June 14 at the Central Presbyterian Church in Montclair, NJ from 2:00-6:00 PM. There will be live auctions and a host of other activities that day to raise funds for Diane Moser.

Performers will include legendary jazz pianist George Cables, Double Bass Virtuoso and new music titan Mark Dresser, as well as several stalwarts of the NY-NJ Jazz scene (see below for full list) Additionally, several of Diane’s piano students will perform as well. Such a wide range of performers reflects Moser’s gifts as a performer, composer, and educator-in all these guises she has shared her love and enthusiasm for music.

A Celebration and Fundraiser for Diane Moser

Sunday June 14 2:00-6:00 PM

Central Presbyterian Church

46 Park Street Montclair, NJ 07042

There is no admission, but donations are encouraged

Guest artists will include: George Cables, Mark Dresser, Anton and Nicki Denner, the Mike Kaplan Nonet, the Diane Moser Quintet, the Erick Storckman Septet, and piano students of Diane Moser

For information, call 201-259-5865

For directions to Central Presbyterian Church, visit www.centralpresbyterian.net/contacts.html or call (973) 744-5340

Donations to cover Diane Moser’s medical costs can also be made online at

http://d-mo-zone.blogspot.com/. Just click on the “Donate” button in upper right hand corner to start the process.