If you are missing Phish, here is a gallery of pics from the NYE run. Enjoy! by:Mike Geller

  Here are a few extra pics from the MSG NYE run to tide you over until the next time the band takes the stage. Thank you, Mike Geller. Enjoy!

© 2017 Grateful Music LLC

Interesting interview with Natalie Cressman about New Music, Trombone, her Famous Dad, and the General State of her Career

Writer Chris Snyder sat down with trombone phenom Natalie Cressman for a short interview for Grateful Music. This amazing talent opens up about her roots, stepping out on her own and memorable gigs. She tells us about her favorite new bands and most exciting musical experiences, so far. After seeing her play with TAB, the sky is the limit for this up-and-coming talent. After stepping out from under her famous dad, let's listen to her thoughts on music. 

Chris Snyder:

Growing up, both of your parents were professional musicians. You guys performed music from Brazilian to Jazz and everything in between. Did you feel that there was a special bond between you and your parents through music? 

Natalie Cressman:

Both of my parents were very influential  in my musical career. My Mom (Sandy) was involved in Brazilian music and my Dad (Jeff) is a recording engineer and trombone player. I’m actually heading to Brazil in February to learn more about the culture and music. Both were always very encouraging in all my music endeavors.

 CS:

You have had the opportunity to share the stage with your Dad, a fellow trombone player, on a number of occasions. Are there any special moments you guys have shared together during the years that have stood out? 

Natalie Cressman:

Playing at The Peach Music Festival with my dad in Trey Anastasio's band was definitely a highlight. I had always dreamed that one day my dad and I would get to share the stage on a big show together. Trey (Anastasio) really made this a reality for me at The Peach Festival. I remember years ago at New Orleans Jazz Fest, I was standing side stage during Santana’s set, and Santana called me up to solo with my dad. When we soloed back and forth, I felt the magic in the air. To learn music from my Dad and then get to play with him, there are no words to really express it.

CS 

You studied at the Manhattan School Of Music. Why did you relocate from San Francisco to Manhattan?

Natalie Cressman: 

My parents are well known in the Bay Area music scene so I thought that moving to New York would be a chance to start a career without their connections.  A bit of nepotism would have come into play if I stayed in the San Francisco area so I wanted to prove to myself that I could make it on my own. It helped to challenge myself not only as a musician but as a person.

CS 

You released an album, “Etchings In Amber”, with Mike Bono in October and have had the opportunity to go on the road together. How did Mike and you originally link up? What was it like to work on the album?

Natalie Cressman: 

Mike and I met in New York City, and working on this album was awesome. Each song tells a story, and his songwriting along with the emotional aspect he puts into his music is outstanding. He kept me on my toes all the time with his unpredictable melodies, his pinpoint accuracy, and attention to detail. It was great be able to work closely with him on the project.

CS 

Matt Butler has invited you to play with The Everyone Orchestra and play with some stellar musicians. This music is 100% improvised. How does this differ from the other projects you are a part of? Are there any musicians that you loved playing with?Natalie Cressman:

Playing with Matt Butler and The Everyone Orchestra is always a fantastic experience. The caliber of musicians he brings together is great. All the music is improvised so it's always enjoyable to see the result of what everyone musically brings to the table in the moment.
One of the musicians that I have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with is Jans Ingber from The Motet. His ability to write amazing hooks on the spot takes the music to the next level. He is such a incredible talent to work with and just a masterful musician all around.

CS 

Are there any groups out there right now on the touring circuit right now that you have enjoyed watching perform?

Natalie Cressman:

Snarky Puppy! The way they approach music has always brought a smile to my face. They are all virtuosos and their passion for the music resonates in their live shows. Hiatus Kaiyote, from Australia, is a group that I finally got to catch live. I’ve been listening to their studio albums for a while now and have absolutely loved them. Seeing them in a live setting was definitely a highlight for me this summer.

 CS

What festivals are you excited to return to or experience for the first time this year?
Natalie Cressman:

I’m really excited to play the main stage at High Sierra Music Festival. A few years back I performed with Peter Apfelbaum’s Sparkler on a side stage and it was a blast!
CS

Are there words of wisdom you have for beginner trombone players/vocalists?

Natalie Cressman:

Practice is an important part of learning and development as a musician, but the other distinguishing factors that become supremely important as you go on in music are how easy you are to work with. Whether you come prepared, and what kind of attitude you bring to the table. It's important to work hard on the musical front, but being a person with a positive attitude who is fun to be around, easy to travel with, and shows up on time, can really set you apart from people who are just as talented but lack those other qualities. 

Interview by: Chris Snyder

Photo by: Shervin Lainez Photo

  

                                    © 2017 Grateful Music LLC

"Thank You" to the fans of our work and to our fearless leader, Kevin Long: An editorial by Greg Heffelfinger

From Phish at Dick's to Austin to LA and on to Nashville and Atlanta, keeping up with breaking news and all the shows happening can be tough.

 A lot of work and effort goes into making this blog. We have people all over the country who pour a lot of effort into bringing the latest news, set lists and upcoming events to this page. I'm not even including the massive effort that goes into bringing you great photography and reviews so you know what it was like to be there if you couldn't make the event. This also includes turning people onto bands they may never have seen or heard of but are making quality music.

As a recently renewed writer, editor, and general fountain of information, my contributions to the site have increased exponentially lately. I was around when Sammy started the blog previously known as "Phish and the Dead" and then I went AWOL for a few years because of personal issues. When Kevin invited me back, I jumped at the chance to do what I love. I'm a writer, always have been, and if any of you have read my articles you know that I have a tendency to go on and on. Between Kevin and I, the blog has taken off lately and I want to thank all of our fans for that. 

However, this past month life and lots of travel have gotten in the way of keeping up my end of the bargain. So I just want to take this time to publicly say thank you to the fans and especially to Kevin Long for his unflagging optimism and boundless energy in making our dreams come true. I'd also like to thank all of our contributors and photographers for all your hard work and let you know how much we appreciate it. Kevin and I used to see the Grateful Dead together and that builds a bond that can be tighter than blood family some times. I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about. So I just wanted to take this moment of down time I have to let everyone know how much I/we appreciate you. This was just a dream we dreamed a long, long time ago and it's grown into something we are proud of and will continue to do for the love of the music. So, since hopefully, you've gotten this far, it's time to listen to the music play.

Greg Heffelfinger

THANK YOU

© 2016 Grateful Music LLC

TAUK held it's record release party for it's new album, Sir Nebula at the Brooklyn Bowl with Lespecial on 9-16-16 and Grateful Music's Mike Geller was there to capture it.

  TAUK's record release party at the Brooklyn Bowl was just that, a party. Grateful Music's own Mike Geller was there to capture the action

TAUK, 9-16-16 Brooklyn Bowl NY: Photos by Mike Geller

The occasion for the party was the release of their new album,
Sir Nebula.  

Lespecial at the Brooklyn Bowl, 9-16-16. Photos by Mike Geller

 

© 2016 Grateful Music LLC