Playing a unique instrument has many positives. Obviously, the visual aspect helps the performer stand out in a crowded arena of standard musical presentations. For most first-time listeners, the 12-string Chapman Stick is a revolution and a revelation. Thirty-four years after Emmett Chapman first marketed his monumental invention, audiences are still wowed by the Stick's capabilities.The past few months have proven to be quite positive for this writer's Stick adventures.

In November of 2007, I was invited by Ishibashi Music to perform in Tokyo, Japan. Over an all too brief weekend, along with fellow Stickist, Bob Culbertson, we conducted clinics and performed in Ishibashi's own nightclub. The company has long been a supporter of the Chapman Stick and it's players. This was my first trip to this part of the world and the fan reaction was marvelous. Our gracious hosts, Toshio and Sakiko, made us feel very comfortable. The clinics were well received and our sold-out show was recorded and may someday be available in video format.

Mid-December brought me to Karlsbad, Germany to conduct a Stick seminar and play a concert at a local venue (actually a micro-brewery/pub- Germany, brewery, beer... ya' can't go wrong. The seminar was masterfully coordinated by local, Karsten Roth (a Stickist of course), as a dozen eager students soaked up two days of intense instruction, focusing on all aspects of playing the Stick. I've been teaching for 36 years and these seminars are always very rewarding. To open doors for aspiring musicians and hopefully motivate and inspire their creativity is deeply satisfying.

The evening concert was very gratifying as well. An opening set by Karsten's duo was very enjoyable. Later, I was paired with a great "house" drummer, simply named Obie (not a very German name). My command of the Deutsche language is not very good, but Obie and I just spoke the language of music and connected immediately. Fun, fun, fun.

From Germany, we took a 3-hour train ride to Paris, mostly for tourism reasons, but of course I ended up sitting in at a smoke-filled jazz club near the Opera House. From the house band to the nicotine-filled audience, I heard the now typical reaction to my participation, "Wow, I've never seen or heard anything like that". The jam repertoire included songs by Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery, Jeff Beck and some standards.

January brought me to the annual NAMM convention in Anaheim, California. NAMM is a huge) trade show that brings manufacturers and musicians together with buyers and general spectators- some 82,000 strong. I did scheduled demos for Hartke amps (a division of Samson Technologies) and impromptu performances at numerous booths. One highlight occurred at the DR Strings booth. I had gone there to hear my friend Larry Coryell play with drummer Danny Gottlieb and bassist Jeff Berlin. Well, Larry never made it and I was asked to sub. The bass and Stick combination could have been rough, but it went so well that Jeff asked me to do another trio set later in the day. It was a thrilling musical experience, not only playing with two music legends, but hearing the joyous results.

Saturday evening at NAMM, I was scheduled to perform solo and also as a duo with Danny Gottlieb at the prestigious All-Star Guitar Night concert. In its history, this event has featured appearances by such luminaries as Les Paul, Bela Fleck, Chet Atkins, Victor Wooten, and Steve Morse to name a few. I was honored to be part of a show that included a dozen outstanding guitarists and one Stick player, me. The entire 3 1/2 hour show was broadcast live on the Internet and also recorded for future DVD release.

From Anaheim, we traveled to Kauai, Hawaii, where I again sat-in at a small jazz club called Trees. A great audience reaction inspired the club owner to invite me back the next evening as the featured performer. A fun time and hey, I was in Hawaii!

I hope I see you down the road. I'll be the guy carrying a big Stick.

Steve Adelson

For more info:
www.steveadelson.com

Bookmark this article with:

          

Stumble It!     Share on Facebook      Delicious