Big Al
"Being the daughter of a magician, I have learned that nothing is impossible."

Female
59 years old
Sonoma County, California
United States



Last Login: 7/6/2008
View My: Pics | Videos

   Contacting Big Al

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/bigalw50  

    Big Al's Interests
GeneralI am a classical violinist in a small baroque sinfonia, but I never walk away from a cookin' jazz/blues/swing jam. After music, my other interests include (but are not limited to) working with at-risk kids, painting, collage and oil pastel resists, folk and outsider art, animals, urban architecture, scavenging flea markets, web design, museums, color....the feast never ends.
MusicMusic is always playing in my head whether I'm listening to it or attempting to create it while practicing. CDs currently in rotation: Concerto for 2 Pianos in D minor (Francis Poulenc), Bach unaccompanied cello suites, Haydn cello concertos, Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major for violin, viola & orchestra (Mozart), Violin Concerto no. 7 in D major (Mozart again, David Oistrakh soloist), Devil's Trill Sonata (Tartini, David Oistrakh soloist), Romanian Dances (Bartok), Boccherini Symphonies, Haydn string quartets, Conus Violin Concerto in E minor, Edgar Meyer, The Olympie Overture by Joseph Martin Kraus (the confusion of birth, the passion for life, the agony of death...it's all there)...

...and after the heavy stuff, there's Benny Goodman's 1958 Brussels Fair concerts with Jimmy Rushing; Dinah Washington, Floyd McDaniel Live in Europe, Lavay Smith, Vassar Clements, Regina Carter, Van Morrison, Keith Jarrett, Ethel String Quartet (Cantaloupe Music label; modern grit and dissonance, hard to walk away from), the Bluenote Swingtets, Randy Newman, my favorite poet/singer/songwriter Jesse DeNatale, my daily dose of gypsy jazz, and Billy Taylor's 'Homage' - best enjoyed while kickin back in the grass on a sunny blue sky day...
MoviesLa Strada, Time of the Gypsies, Amelie, The Stunt Man, Speaking in Strings, The Deer Hunter, Volver, The Red Violin, The Savages, The Kite Runner
TelevisionFrom the Top
BooksGood recent reads - Hotel Honolulu, The Ruins of California, Screams from the Balcony, Up in the Old Hotel, Hard Laughter, The Secret Life of Bees, The Glass Castle, Meeting Luciano, Poisonwood Bible, The Piano Tuner, Musicophilia, Water for Elephants, Moloka'i, What My Heart Has Seen (great artwork by Tony Bennett), Principles of Violin Playing & Teaching (Ivan Galamian), latest issues of FOUND and THE SUN magazine
HeroesMy Dad for his magic, his music, his zest for life, and his courage and encouragement; my Mom for putting up with me while I evolved from knowing everything to knowing nothing, and for explaining what the lights in the window really meant; my husband for his good humor, for never criticizing me, and for making sure I stop to eat when things get crazy; my violin teachers, my mentors and my fellow musicians; my animals for all they have taught me, and all the rest of my family and friends who never cease to amaze and inspire me.

     Big Al's Details
Status:Married
Here for:Friends
Orientation:Straight
Hometown:Sonoma County
Body type:5' 2" / Athletic
Zodiac Sign:Gemini
Occupation:artist, violinist, web designer, antiques dealer



Big Al is in your extended network

Big Al's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

Need Upper Left or Right Dental Implants??? Read This First...  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   Big Al's Blurbs
About me:
I make my living with my violin, my paints and my brushes, my web design skills, and my knowledge of antiques. It's a very chaotic freelance lifestyle, but I couldn't live it any other way. If you'd like to see some of my artwork, please visit www.bigalsartgallery.com
For web design, check out www.big-alproductions.com

Who I'd like to meet:
other artists and musicians; like-minded people on parallel journeys; anyone else with synesthesia



   Big Al's Friend Space (Top 40)
Big Al has 196 friends.
 Mighty Jimbo 


 Wine Country Werewolf 


 Buffalo 


 Artie Shaw 


 Jesse DeNatale 


 Volodja Balzalorsky 


 Handipets 


 Noodle 


 DAVID OISTRAKH 


 Itzhak Perlman 


 Santa Rosa Symphony 


 Ralph Farris 


 Tracy Silverman 


 Turtle Island Quartet 


 Tom Rigney and Flambeau 


 Havana Swing 


 Stuff Smith 


 BILLY BANG 


 IKO IKO 


 Alexander's book/dvd on musicians & music 


 Lowell 


 Baba 


 Cadwallader 


 Poteet Abstracts 


 Carol Alban -Flutist and Composer 


 Ljova 


 JAMN’ JACK 


 Ant - ArtworkbyAnthony.com 


 Mark O'Connor 


 Southwest Chamber Music 


 Alex DePue 


 Amael Trio 


 Jeffrey Foucault 


 ETHEL 


 LIVE! at the Krush 


 State Radio 


 M.J Coleman Photography 


 Edgar Meyer 


 Threal 


 Kim 





Big Al's Friends Comments
Displaying 42 of 42 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Ant - ArtworkbyAnthony.com





Jul 6 2008 1:13 AM

Thanks Ali - I love your artwork - Beautiful and Creative - Much Love - Ant
Kim





Jun 4 2008 8:50 AM

Happy belated birthday!! :)
Tenth Virgo





May 27 2008 12:21 AM

Happy Birthday to you!
All the best in your life!

With the best wishes from Ukraine,
Tenth Virgo
John Statz





May 27 2008 8:23 AM

happy birthday, friend!
Kevin Staniec





May 26 2008 5:48 PM

:)

wonderful. thank you for the kind words.
Balkan Natives





May 25 2008 1:35 AM

Happy Birthday!
Iris
Wine Country Werewolf





May 23 2008 9:41 AM

Happy birthday, mom! Can I help you open your presents?
XO
Peaches
PS - Dad helped me write this
jack





May 23 2008 9:06 AM

I didn't know your B-day is the 27th!
Mine is the 30th! Happy B-day fellow Gemini! Best Wishes, Jamn Jack
sunladyart





May 23 2008 6:37 AM

Happy Birthday to you!
Einsteinway





May 23 2008 1:21 AM

hi, Big Al
it's a pleasure to know you as well.
i, too love a life with art.I love the violin, music and paintings. I like Monet and Dali.
keep in touch
best wishes
Einsteinway





May 22 2008 2:38 AM

hi, Big Al.
happy birthday.
keep in touch.
BAND CAMP





May 18 2008 8:35 PM

Thanks for adding BAND CAMP! Look for us June 7 at Gundlach Bundschu winery for their summer film fest & BBQ!
jack





May 11 2008 12:24 PM

You did a fantastic job on my webpage.
You are the best, but we knew that!
JAMN’ JACK





May 11 2008 1:40 PM

Many thanks to Big Al for a job well done! Thank you so much. JM CLOYD BAND..
The Inkwell Rhythm Makers





Apr 14 2008 11:27 PM

hey, glad you liked the music. you know, we broke up in July 2007. you sould check out the new band, the crow quill night owls.
deborah





Apr 7 2008 7:21 PM

i got your request to join my friends. i check you out and hello, anyone that has itzack perleman listed...well honey!!!!!!

i got to see him live at the lied center at KU a few years back, and i swear i cried through most of it i was so happy. viola player here, but dang...i love that man!!!!
Einsteinway





Apr 7 2008 4:56 AM

hello, thanks for the request!
I saw you like the movie the Red Violin, too.
and you like paintings as well.
I love the music.
keep in touch
Patrick Dorobisz





Mar 19 2008 5:51 PM

Hello
"Thank you for the friendship! Enchanté d'être votre ami - --All the best ---Patrick
Leland Harding III & Family Tradition





Mar 2 2008 7:08 PM

Hi Big Al, thanks!
God Bless,
Leland Harding III
Georges Lammam





Dec 25 2007 12:39 AM

I wish you a happy Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year.
Marie Louise





Dec 6 2007 2:24 AM

Hi Big Al ;) Thanks for the invite ~ have a great Thursday!
seb cazes





Nov 11 2007 10:03 AM

merci merci !
Rockyoumentally





Oct 23 2007 3:23 AM

Hi Alison,

I hope all is well ..... thanks for the message and I will let you know when the book is ready .

If you have any info you want people to know about you can send it to us and we will put it on the website which we are working on ....

One love ..... Alexander .

Rocking you mentally...... gently .
Cadwallader





Oct 1 2007 6:48 PM

Thanks for the request and the friendship.
Wine Country Werewolf





Sep 29 2007 9:38 PM

Honest, Mom, the cat followed me home. I tried to discourage him, but he really likes me. Why can't we keep him?
Mike Appel





Sep 28 2007 6:08 PM

Thank you for your kind words, I'm glad you got a chance to listen to some of the music!
Poteet Abstracts





Sep 25 2007 2:06 PM

Big Al-
Thanks for the kind comment on my work! Glad you like it. You have interesting work yourself!
-Jason Poteet
Mighty Jimbo





Sep 13 2007 9:33 PM

Hey, Big
Welcome back to planet earth. For someone who just spent 4 hours under the knife, you don't look so bad..I mean, you HAVE looked better on many a day, but hey, how many other people can boast that their face can touch the texas border? Sorry, just had to get some razz in before you get too fiesty to fight back. Want some gourmet oatmeal for breakfast, little girl?
xo,
Mighty
Petri Suhonen





Sep 13 2007 11:32 AM

:D I'm more than glad to hear that! thank you!!
Gray Art <