I discovered a type of music that I have heard many times, but was not able to assign a genre.  Gypsy Jazz, a French born style of music, typically features acoustic string instruments such as guitar, upright bass, and violin.  One telling aspect of the style of music is the rhythm guitar which is played as close to a percussive instrument as you can get with out actually hitting the guitar with your hand like a drum.  For a look at the styles of guitars that Gypsy Jazz musicians typically play look here.

Django Reinhardt is credited with creating the music style France in the 1930’s and it is now popular world wide.  Unlike other genres, Gypsy Jazz musicians typically do not read or write music.  Songs are passed down orally or by recordings.  This makes learning to play Gypsy Jazz very challenging.

I was fortunate enough to catch an Orlando based Gypsy Jazz group, The Cook Trio, last night while staying at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando on business.  The three musician’s (Brothers Jason and Ian Cook, and friend Kyle Jones) have over sixty years of combined musical background despite being in their early thirties.  I fell in love with the bright, yet elegant style and inquired about it.  I got a brief history lesson on Gypsy Jazz and was practically forced by Ian to look up Moreno, a French raised Roma, who further popularized Reinhardt’s music.  He said I would be so impressed that I would either be majestically inspired or quit playing guitar all together.  I have to go with the former.

I can’t wait to start learning to play this unique, rare form of music.

And there you have it.

Joe.

Wow…. it has been a long time since I have “spoken”.  I had been good about blogging this year until something just got in the way.  Hell, I don’t even remember what that something was.

So here are some things that have been happening with me:

Though I have been playing guitar since I was a teenager, I never really got any better.  I was satisfied with the skills I had learned and, though I always wanted to get better, I never really had the drive to do what it takes to get there.  Not any more.  I decided about two months ago to pick up the guitar after a long hiatus and to learn the theory of lead guitar.  It has been really enjoyable and led to a purchase of a new guitar…More on that later.

After changing my diet late last year, I managed to lose about 50lbs.  My goal was to lose 70lbs, but I was having trouble getting past my first plateau.  I decided that I needed to begin exercising and regularly.  I joined the company gym and am now working out Monday through Friday including swimming laps daily.  I just started this, so I haven’t had time to see any benefit from a weight loss perspective, but I know it takes patience and persistence to achieve this goal.  I am on my way.

My 20 year class reunion is supposedly this year, though I haven’t heard anything formal about it.  Interestingly enough, I have heard more from the High School that I attended only one year at, then I have from the High School where I graduated.  Hopefully, they can get their act together, because I am looking forward to it.

My wife and I are going on our first vacation as a married couple (excluding our honeymoon).  This is pretty significant since we have been married for 9 years this coming August.  I don’t really know why we have never taken a vacation before now, but I suspect it has to do with schooling, certifications, and a few other impacting events that we have endured throughout our marriage.  We are both really excited about it as is our son.

That’s about it for now, but, hopefully, I will get back on the “blogging horse” and dedicate more time to putting things out there.

And there you have it.