From music to politics...economics to religion, Chas and I are generally joined at the hip.

Here, there's a slight bump. As a traditional jazz player, he never uses an arranger for performance. I'm a generalist (a music sell-out/whore, in many ways). While I really want to play jazz all the time, I'm really not into starvation.

Occasionally, I do use arrangers for performance. Last week overseas, I used the Korg Micro, I bought to travel with and write film score roughs for a last minute cocktail party.

Mostly, I use them for film score roughs and, occasionally, when there is no budget, for a completed small score or jingle.

There are few arranger players around Lexington and the ones
I know are really lame.

I think they (arrangers) are valuable for use as tools, but it's unwise to use them as crutches.

Thankfully, my jobs really vary. In September, for instance, I'm revising "Faux Diddley", my alter ego, complete with pork pie hat, motor scooter (gonna drive it onto the stage)and rectangular shapped Gretsch Diddley style guitar. Will be a 4 night series with an area philharmonic (I've done it twice before).

I mean, think of it! He's my hero...8 million selling hits, all in the key of "E"...no changes...all about his D***!

He's my hero LOL!


Be well, folks,


Russ