AKeys performance on GMA...

Here's her performance from Good Morning America. My sister swears she sees the back of our heads around 4:10/ 4:11 in the video, but uhm, I think the heat and excitement affected her that morning because I sure as heck don't see us lol

My love affair...

...with New York!

"No place in the world that can compare..." Great music, great people, great vibe...it's all here in New York !

This week I had the pleasure of meeting a blast from the past. I went to R Bar to support my friend, Regi, and not only did I meet other musicians and interesting people but I also ran into Adair Frey.

Adair Frey at R Bar

When I first met Adair, she wasn't quite sure of her sound or herself. Pretty, slightly reserved, a few tattoos which hinted that maybe there was a "bad girl" hiding somewhere in there. We both studied music together in the city and one day it seemed as though Adair just fell off the face of the Earth.

But fast forward to June 2010 and here is Adair. I didn't recognize her at first, but something about her was so familiar. Her raspy voice, her name kinda rang a bell, THEN it all came back to me. ADAIR!

Now she's found her sound, her look and her style, and I am VERY happy to see her evolve and become the artist she wants to be. To hear her music check out truthasadair.com.

Here are some of the other performers at R Bar that night...

Kimberly Korn and her band

My friend, Regi, doing his thang!

Cutie Guitarist Zack rockin' out

And just when I thought I was having such a great week, it got even better. A friend called me to ask if I wanted to be on the VIP list to see Alicia Keys perform live in Central Park on Good Morning America....WHAT KINDA QUESTION IS THAT???????? OF COURSEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! I had to restrain myself from screaming, after all I WAS at work when I received the call! lol

That was the highlight of my week! My sister said it best: "Breakfast in Central Park on a beautiful day with Alicia Keys singing to you? The Best!"

And yes, she DID look our way, pointed and sang DIRECTLY to us (maybe it was because I was jumping up and down screaming "Alicia I LOVE YOU!" while shamelessly wearing one of her t-shirts? doesn't matter, Alicia sang to me! lol)

Here are some pics from that day...

My sis and I waiting for Alicia Keys

Alicia hits the stage

They told her she pulled the LARGEST CROWD EVER for the GMA Summer Concert Series!

You go Alicia!

Sexy mama with her cute baby bump

Beautiful, talented, fierce!

Ahhh I heart NY!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Flipflops and tank tops and cute summer dresses,
driving on the highway with the wind through my tresses,
parties and barbecues and cool fruity drinks,
these are a few of my favorite things.

Alicia and Usher and Lady Antebellum

blasting the music till it hurts my eardrum
noone to interrupt me in the car while I sing
these are a few of my favorite thiiiiiiiiiiiiings

When the Fall comes, and school re-opens
then I'll be so saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad
but in the meantime I'll savor these fun Summer things
so I won't feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel
baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad

Cookouts and roadtrips and Summer vacations
Ice-cream...martinis... just pure relaxation
the heat of the sun as it beams on your skin

These are a few of my favorite things

Sending a shout-out to Sharon and Anya
Ellen and Janette and Kathy and Esha
They're all June babies so let us all sing
Happy happy birthday and the best of everythiiiiiiiiiiiiing

When the Fall comes, and school re-opens
then I'll be so saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad
but in the meantime I'll savor these fun Summer thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiings

so hope it's the best UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU haaaaaaaaaaaave!

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER EVERYONE !!

"The Greatest Ears In Town"

So it's late, and I really should be in bed but I HAVE to tell you about this amazing film/ documentary that I saw today called "The Greatest Ears In Town: The Arif Mardin Story".
It's about the life and career of 12-time Grammy Award winning producer, arranger and composer, Arif Mardin. He seemed to be such an incredible man, not just a genius in music, but also a charming personality and what a sense of humor! Some people are just born with that "je ne sais quoi" and he certainly had it.
He worked with countless people (Chaka Khan, Jewel, Norah Jones, Aretha Franklin, Phil Collins, Quincy Jones, Bette Midler, Randy Brecker; and that's just to name a handful...the list goes on and on and on) but the common thread was his heart... his ability to make everyone feel special. (I'm sure it didn't hurt that he made a mean martini as well :)
I loved his relationship with his wife, and how she understood that he couldn't help but to make music... or the intense passion he had for music, so much so that he did it literally until he passed away.
It's a great film and I highly recommend! I don't wanna give it all away, you just HAVE to see it.
After the screening there was a panel discussion with other Grammy Award winning producers and engineers who worked with the legend.

From left to right: Joe Mardin (Arif's son, whom I had the pleasure of meeting. He is absolutely pleasant and he also co-produced the film), Phil Ramone, Frank Filipetti, Russ Titelman, Michael O'Reilly, Doug Biro (film's co-producer) and Jimmy Douglass.

Joe Mardin and Phil Ramone during the panel discussion

Phil was teary-eyed after watching the film (you could hear sniffles throughout the auditorium; there couldn't have been a dry eye in the house) and he said he missed his "best friend".

Doug Biro spoke about Arif's incredible love for music and how he truly felt that "the music kept him alive" because Arif was in his 70's with failing health yet he was STILL working on music.

Russ Titelman regaling us with one of his Arif stories.

Jimmy Douglass who spoke about Arif's integrity and what an honor it was working with him.

After hearing so many people talk about what a wonderful man he was, it makes one wonder "who are YOU when all is said and done?"

Ok about to fall asleep to "All My Friends Are Here" (Composed & Arranged by Arif Mardin)...get your copy of the cd now (available on itunes...ithink...and a portion of the profits will be donated to The Jazz Foundation of America (which I firmly support), The Lustgarten Foundation & MusiCares).

Special thanks to The Recording Academy for coordinating this event and to Candace Jones for being such a joy at the front desk... it helps to see a friendly face after you've been dealing with NYC traffic. 

Nite nite! 

DON'T tell me you're TOO BUSY...to read this!!

Words are powerful! I've learned that, and I would think by now I'd know, but lately I made the mistake of saying 2 dreadful words
"I'M ..............BUSY!!!!" (insert gasp and dramatic music here)

Yes! Well guess what happened? Just that...I have been busy up the wahzoooo!

And it's not the kinda busy where I'm consumed doing the things I REALLY wanna do, NO, it's just little annoying STUFF. And I wondered, how did I get so BUSY all of a sudden??...lightbulb!! BECAUSE I SAID I WAS!!!

I've been "too busy" doing this or that and finding myself squeezing everything into my schedule when that really isn't how it should be.

That's when I reminded myself that words are very powerful. I've decided to be much more aware of what I say and how I utilize my time. So, how are you professing YOUR life today?