Here I am in gorgeous Switzerland. Im on a computer in the hotel lobbzy, the computer is french and quite annoying to type on so ill keep this short.

Istanbul was fantastic. The people were great, the weather was wonderful, the gig was a lot of fun. We got to see some beautiful mosques. I have plenty of pictures that i hope to post soon.

Today we traveled to Swityerland where we are playzing the world famous Montreaux Jazz Festival. We have all access backstage passes to attend whatever show we want (namelz Diana Krall and John Scofield) and we dont play until midnight.

The trip is going well. The jet lag is all but gone as is the cold.

The cold is almost gone and the driver is almost here.

The European adventure is underway.

I have a cold. Runny nose, chills, I'm tired, the whole shebang. Luckily this comes right before I'm going to spend countless hours on planes travelling to the other side of the friggin' earth.

I arrived home today. My sister-in-law Kelly and her husband Mike are in town for a visit, their visits are always a good time.

They brought the DVD to the extended music video for R. Kelly's "Trapped In The Closet." This masterpiece is both absurd and brilliant at the same time. I strongly urge you to watch it if you have the means.

So I leave Saturday for my big Europe trip. Luckily I don't have any work between now and then so I can focus on running some errands and preparing for the trip.

First stop, Istanbul.

Our show with the Boston Pops went really well last night. It was a long day, we had to wake up at 6:30 to drive from Greenwich, CN (where we played a private party at an art gallery Thursday night) to Boston to make an 11:00 soundcheck and 1:00 rehearsal with the orchestra then check in to the hotel and get ready for the show.

I have to be honest, I was expecting some attitude from the orchestra. Lots of times these musicians don't really like playing pops concerts and look down on the music. It can be a drag. But everyone I've talked to in the Boston Pops has been cool and enthusiastic. Glad I was wrong.

We have another show with the orchestra tonight then a concert in northern Mass. tomorrow.

I'm headed out to the east coast tomorrow for another little tour with Tyrell. We're headed to Greenwich, CN, Boston, MA, and North Shore, MA. It should be a good tour, we're actually playing with the Boston Pops on Friday and Saturday. That's certainly the biggest orchestra we've ever played with, I hope they're cool.

And it looks like my NBA Finals prediction was right, the Heat won it in six games. Good to see GP and 'Zo get a ring finally.

The concert last night went well. Tony Bennet still has it for sure.

Everyone stop by my website and check it out. There are new photos, the calendar is updated, and there is a new little video montage of some of my television performances.

I saw Al Gore's documentary on global warming, An Inconvinient Truth, on Friday night. It was fantastic. Please everyone don't dismiss this film as liberal propaganda, global warming is an epic problem with devastating consequences. Go see the movie. More knowledge never hurt anyone.

So we had our first rehearsal today for the Mancini Orchestra concert this weekend, the one we are doing with Tony Bennett.

Turns out I won't be playing with Tony at all. He's bringing his own rhythm section. That's fine, Tyrell does it as well. I think a lot of singers do. Still it would've cool to play for him.

Because of that I'm only playing on three songs the entire concert. Easy work. As a matter of fact I don't even have to go to the next rehearsal. The concert should still be fun. If you don't know what the Kodak Theater is it's where the Oscars are held so it will be fun playing in there even if it is only for a few tunes.

... because there ain't a lot happening. I've been hanging out, practicing/writing, playing some cards, watching Food Network ... just kickin' back basically. I did see X-Men 3 last week and was not nearly as disappointed as most folks who saw it. This coming weekend I'm doing the concert with the Mancini Orchestra playing with Tony Bennett. Looking forward to that one.

I'll check back when there's more excitement to be had.

I remember when I was at Ball State studying music there was a fantastic jazz trumpet player. This guy was really smart and really cool. And oddly enough he wasn't a music major. I asked him once why he wasn't going to pursue music as a career and he said something to the effect of "I love music so much I would never want to rely on it as a means to make a living."

I thought he was friggin' crazy. I mean, a lot of people only dream of doing something they love as a career.

Well I must admit I have a clue as to what he's talking about. Before I go into my rant let me preface by saying I am one of the luckiest guys in the world to be making a decent living playing music and I wouldn't trade it for the world, but at the end of the day it is my job.

Most people get vacations from their job. I will never get a vacation from music. Not because my playing obligations slave me to taking every single gig that comes my way, but because music is so ingrained into the fabric of who I am that I would never want to escape it.

But the sideman work, the endless driving, the phone calls, the networking, the constant self-promotion ... that I could use a break from sometime.

Thing is I'm not talking about taking a couple of weeks off and heading to the Bahamas or something (although that would be nice, I played there a couple of years ago with John Stephens and it was fantastic). I'm talking about having some time to do nothing but listen to music, write music, and play the bass. But even that stuff is can turn into work for me (I can never fall asleep listening to music you know, I just lay there and analyze everything I hear).

I don't know what I'm trying to say other than I don't have a gig until Sunday and after that not until Thursday. It's nice. Yesterday I played with a friend of mine (not a gig or anything, just jamming) then went to see the fantastic guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkle at the Jazz Bakery. I need more days like that, playing for fun and appreciating the music of others.

I know, I know ... pity the poor artist. I'll quite my gripe now.

p.s.
The NBA Finals start tonight, I like the Heat in 6.

No sooner am I back from my busy two-week tour when my in-laws come to visit.

I think for most folks this might seem like a big drag. Luckily I get along with my in-laws quite well. We've had a pretty good time this week, my father-in-law is a big sports fan and we've been to an Angels game, a Dodgers game, and will see the Dodgers again on Monday. My first baseball games of the year, I don't know what took me so long.

But their visit is second bannana to the big news of the week. Carrie is now an official, masters-degree-holding graduate! Not only did she make it through a full-time two-year masters program while teaching 8th graders full-time, she graduated with honors as well. Do I know how to pick 'em or what?

(This reminds me of a funny coincidence. Within the past year or so it has come to my attention that I have one ex-girlfriend who is a doctor, one ex-girlfriend who is a lawyer, and I'm married to a girl with a graduate degree on her way to being a school counseler ... me? I'm a bass player. Granted I have a masters as well but it is in Jazz Performance ... really, do they make a more worthless degree? Something doesn't fit there does it?).

Next week I have nothing at all to do. After today I won't have another gig until the 15th. Boy am I ever looking forward to that time off.

I've finally made it back home. Even though I've been gone for less than two weeks it seems like I've been gone for two months.

The tour was a success. I couldn't be happier with the way it went. Here's the rundown;

Wednesday after the Today show and my glimpse of Halle, I packed, had lunch, and was off to LaGuardia. I got to the airport with plenty of time to kill before my flight (this is a must when traveling with your bass, you never know how long check-in is going to be). Unfortunately my plane was delayed over an hour, I don't know if you've ever been to LaGuardia before but it's small and there's no restaurants or anything. It was a drag. I finally made it to Chicago, my sister-in-law Kelly picked me up from the airport (she really saved my ass) and we went to dinner. Steve, the Lower Level guitarist, had flown into Chi-town earlier in the day, we picked him up before heading to the bar we ate (and drank!) at. And old friend of mine met us out too. That night we stayed at Rob's (LL keyboardist). When we got back to his pad it was probably around 3 and we were a little hammered, as I recall we played some music but I can't attest to how good it actually was.

The next day Jeff (LL drummer) drove up from Kalamazoo and we rehearsed my music. The rehearsal went well and I could tell the shows were going to be good. That night we drove to Indy. I'd forgotten what a dull drive that is--geez! We got to Indy where we were greeted by my mom and my aunt Kathy. We talked for a little while and then we crashed. My mom had acquired four AeroBeds somehow. I slept on the kitchen floor ... Very un-rock star.

Friday was the day of the show. I'd learned the day before that the show was sold out. Can you believe that? My first big show as a leader and it was sold out. I'm telling you, my mom is the best PR agent anyone could hope for. We soundchecked in the afternoon then ate at the New Orleans joint a couple of doors down from the Jazz Kitchen. Some of the best food I've had in Indy, it's really great.

The show is a blur for me. I was a little nervous before playing but I think we did a good job. It felt good anyway.

Here's the thing, I NEED PICTURES!! I didn't turn on my camera once, I don't have any shots. So if you have any please email them to me (lyman_medeiros@hotmail.com).

The amount of support I got was incredible. I was amazed at how many people came out and how many CDs I signed. I wish I could've talked to more people, but you know how it is. It was a fantastic experience. After the show me and the boys headed to the bar across the street to put back a few with my cousin and my uncle. What a great time that was, I hadn't gotten a chance to hang with my cousin and his fiancee in a long, long time. I ended up drinking more than my fair share of scotch ... *whew*

That night we stayed at the fabulous Barnett residence. Jason and his wife Corinne were nice enough to let us all crash at their place. It was really nice, after waking up Saturday morning Corinne made us breakfast and we got to play with my beautiful niece. Then we were off to Michigan. Another dull drive.

Saturday was all business. By the time we got to Kalamazoo we had enough time to pick up some equipment from my old teacher, take a shower, and head to the show. The Kalamazoo show was fun. There weren't a whole lot of people there but I didn't mind after the high-pressure night before. We had a good time and got to play for 3 sets instead of one.

Directly after the show we drove back to Chicago as Steve had an early flight to catch. Rolled in to Chicago around 3:30 or so. I sacked out. Kelly took me back to the airport (saving my ass once again) and here I am.

So if you were at the show thank you so much for coming out. And if you have PICTURES, let me see 'em!

I'm in Chi-town at the moment ... the band rehearsed today and sounded most kick ass. Indianapolis, prepare to be funkified.

I had to get up at 4:30 this morning to do the show. I can't remember the last time I got up that early. I can however remember the last time I went to bed that late and it wasn't that long ago.

Halle Barry is totally hot ...

" ... the Bronx and Statten Island too"

Anybody ever heard that song?

Anyway, I'm here in the city with a couple of days off before the Today Show. Although being here was such a last minute event that I wasn't planning for I think it works out well for me. I have two days off at a great hotel in a great neighborhood (upper westside) with my bass so I can practice. I think it will be relaxing, the calm before the storm.

I did my first live radio interview yesterday. I think it went really well. I didn't stumble over my words or anything and I said pretty much everything I wanted to say. I can't wait to hear it.

Today I think I'll go to Macy's and look for some shoes or clothes or something before heading back to play my bass and maybe see some music this evening. I already dropped way too much money on a great dinner (and drinks of course) last night. Luckily there are some great places to eat cheaply and our saxophonist "Blue" Lou Marini has invited the band to his pad for dinner tomorrow night.

The Lower Level tour approaches ...

Two weeks later and I'm back in New York. We played an outdoor festival in Rochester last night for what turned out to be one of the worst gigs I ever did. The crowd was great and all but it was so friggin' cold my fingers felt like they were being stabbed every time I pressed down a bass string. It was bad. Memo to festival organizers in upstate New York: wait until July to have outdoor concerts. Today we flew in to the Hamptons where we will be playing tomorrow.

So there is more promotion in the works for the Indy show on Friday. I will be interviewed on a jazz radio show (I don't know what station yet) on Sunday and Wednesday there will be a featured article on me oon indinapolismusic.net. Hopefully all of this buzz will translate into a packed house.

Tomorrow I leave for what I thought would be a short East Coast trip with Tyrell before coming home then flying out to the Midwest for my big CD release shows. I just found out today that is not the case.

Tyrell is going to perform on the Today Show next Wednesday. This is great news for me. Any time you are on national TV its a good thing but I'm hoping that being on TV a few days before my show might drum up some more interest somehow. The only bad thing about it is that I'm leaving for the East Coast tomorrow and will stay out there until after we film the show. Then I will fly directly to Chicago for my little tour instead of coming home to LA first.

This means that I have to take everything with me for the tour. And I have a lot of logistics to straighten out before next week; I need to work out rides from the airport, I need to figure out where the heck we (the band) can stay in Indianapolis as there's no room for us at my mother's and most every hotel is booked, I need to figure out how to get a guitar amp for the Kalamazoo show, etc. That's a lot to deal with when you're on the road. But I'm pretty sure it will all come together smoothly.

So tomorrow I am off. After I do these gigs with Tyrell I'll head back to my hometown for my big gig. For all of you Indiana types I hope you can come to the show. Be looking in Wednesday's Indianapolis Star for an article on your's truly. I'm both nervous and excited about the whole experience.

Wish me luck everyone.

Friday night Carrie and I hosted a birthday party here at the Casa de Medeiros. It was a lot of fun and quite a few friends showed up. I made pizzas for everyone. Good times were had by all.

I also made out with some pretty nice birthday scratch. Carrie got me a "skoolabatz" which is one of those pasta pots with a collander inside. She also got me an apron that says "Kiss the Cook" which I had been asking for. Also got a Colts T-shirt, Colts coffee mug, Colts hat, and iTunes gift certificate. Not too shabby.

Today I'm giving a concert with the Henry Mancini Institute Alumni Orchestra at the highly regarded Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA. We've had rehearsals the past few days and the concert should be pretty good. I actually had to miss a gig with Tyrell on Friday to do it. No biggie.

We're only a week and a half away from the big CD Release show in Indy. The countdown is on.

I had a great time in New York last week. Playing at the Blue Note was really cool even if it isn't the same Blue Note that all of the jazz greats played in in the 50s and 60s and it is somewhat corperate now. It was still great. And the weather in the city was the best it's ever been on one of my visits. Sunny and cool, just like LA. People were out walking everywhere and there was a great energy. It's enough to make you want to move there ... but I know better. I've spent the winter months in NYC, and that can be hell.

My birthday was nice. The everyone in the club sang happy birthday to me and some fans got me a really nice gift (a money clip from Tiffany). Afterwards I somehow got overserved some Scotch and spent the next day nursing a birthday hangover. Carrie is throwing me a party here at the Casa De Medeiros on Friday.

But the week was great, I saw old friends and made new ones. Saw some great music, ate some great food and played to packed houses.

But no matter how much fun I have I always look forward to coming home.

The past few days have been pretty busy; Friday in Buffalo, Saturday in Philly, Sunday in Alexandria. Luckily today is just a travel day and I had a chance to sleep in a bit. We head to NYC tonight for a run at the Blue Note. It is a world-famous club but I have to admit I really don't like the set-up there. The stage is in a weird place in relation to the tables and the green room is more of a green closet.

My birthday is looming large. In mere days I will turn 30. I figure once you're 30 you're no longer young. I mean sure, your elders will still say you're young, but "young" becomes a relative term, not a common one. I'll be in a different demographic ... I'll no longer be able to say "in my twenties ..." ... and the next landmark birthday will be the big 4-0. Yikes!

But on to a more exciting subject I hope everyone has been watching the NBA playoffs lately, especially if you are a Kobe-hater. The man has been playing out of his mind and there's no way you can gripe about what he's been doing on the court.

Good news regarding the CD Release show in Indy. I got an email from a writer at the Indianapolis Star, they want to do a little article on me a couple of days before the show. That's fantastic, what I like to call free advertising.

see y'all when I see y'all