I 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.
Music
Music 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...
Movies
La Strada, Time of the Gypsies, Amelie, The Stunt Man, Speaking in Strings, The Deer Hunter, Volver, The Red Violin, The Savages, The Kite Runner
Television
From the Top
Books
Good 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
Heroes
My 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.
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
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
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!!!!
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
