kriskeith.com

Just getting back to the Journal after three years! Wow.

Eventually I hope to be more mobile with tech and be able to update the Journal more often.

It is February ‘10 and the snow is coming down… I’m in the middle of a long, difficult, but exciting week. The OSU Jazz Lab Ensemble and I are getting ready for our concert coming up this Sunday on Valentines Day. It’s not our usual Valentines Day concert. We’ve been working on the music of my friend Brian Casey (who passed away suddenly last September 2008). His music is very experimental, while swingin’ and grooven like Mingus. It’s been a unique challenge for the band, one they will not soon forget. I know I will not forget it.
After this concert of Brian Casey’s music, I’ll be playing, “Dreamgirls” at the Ohio Theater, finishing up at OSU, and preparing for a fishing trip with my father during OSU’s Spring Break. Lots of great music making coming up with friends and students.

Hope to see you out there… be happy!

January’s been good. Started it off with a wonderful trip down to the Yucatan P. to visit the Mayan ruins. Came back to play a show with John Pizzarelli and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Lee Brown (columbus’ Leonard Feather for the Other Paper) had some very nice things to say about the CJO and specifically my flute playing. After that it was off to the pit, for Annie at the Ohio Theater. With lots of other gigs in between, January has been a very busy and exciting beginning to ‘07.

I’m really looking forward to a recording next month with local guitar legend Don Hales. Don is recording his second record and I am honored to be a part of it. The line-up of musicians include, myself on flute/sax, Andy Woodson on bass, Matt Wagner on drums, and the one and only Tony Monaco on B-3. Should prove to be a great session.

Be on the look out for a La Charanga Tres show on Sunday, February 11th, 2-4pm at the Columbus Music Hall. This orchestra does not perform very often. Catch it when you can - you’ll be glad you did. The Columbus Music Hall is a family friendly environment. Listeners of all ages are welcome.

Signing off for now. Until next month…
be happy…