That Was Fun!

Last week I was invited to audition for a local jazz sextet.  It had been a while since I have had to audition for anything but I had played with everyone in the band in different musical environments so it was a comfortable setting.  

The music was a bit challenging as they pulled out jazz standards composed by Wayne Shorter of Miles Davis and Weather Report fame.  Not your average 3 chord blues!  Nevertheless, my experience and formal training paid off and it was a successful and fun experience.  Oh, by the way they recorded the entire rehearsal while I was sight reading…no pressure though…none of it was going public (at least that is what I was told!)

So, I expect to be performing a little bit with my friends before long.  I will post where and when as dates are scheduled.  In the meantime I continue work with my friend Ed Maina on a personal recording.  We hope to have 4 songs done by the end of this quarter.  I am excited about how the tracks are shaping up and eager to share them with you when finished.    

 

 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Wow, did this year go fast or what?  Looking back, I see the faithfulness of God in my life, family, church and business.  With some careful inspection, you probably can, too.

I am looking forward to the new year with its challenges and rewards.  I have renewed energy to work on my bass solo project now that I am collaborating with my dear friend and world-class woodwinds player, Ed Maina.  We hope to have the first 3 songs finished before long and available on the web.  Stay tuned for progress reports.  

Its always great to hear from friends and visitors, so please leave a note!  In the meantime and forever, may the Lord bless and keep you.  

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

My family and I have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  Blessings seen and unseen.  Gratitude leads to joy and generosity.  May I learn how to have and attitude of gratitude more often!

Once again this year I started my Thanksgiving running the annual 5K race.  I do this to give back and to burn off a few calories before I eat my wife’s delicious cooking.  This year benefitted Graceworks ministries.  That’s me after recovering from the race.  While my time wasn’t terrible, I barely beat a 72 year old man!  Needless to say he was first in his age group!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Thank God in everything (no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks), for this is the will of God for you (who are) in Christ Jesus…”

What are you grateful for?

-John

 

 

Lessons from a Zip Line

I hate heights. Well, not that I hate them, I just don’t like looking down when I am up high. So, recently when I had an opportunity to glide on a zip line, I thought I would face my fears and take a leap of faith.

Spurred on by a friend who was equally eager to conquer his fear I put on the harness, climbed the rope ladder to the top of the perch and stood there asking frantically “what can I hold onto?”

Then I jumped or rather stepped off the 3 foot platform. There I was gliding along at close to 300mph. Okay, maybe a little slower but the point is-I was above the ground and going really fast! What a blast. It was an experience that I would have missed out on if I would have stayed scared.

The point of all this is that I learned a life’s lesson on the zip line. I faced my fears, and helped by a friend I did something I didn’t think I could do.

I have a feeling 2012 is going to be like that. There are going to be some challenges I need to take on to break new ground in my life. What are your challenges? Are you ready to face them head on? If you do, like me on the zip line, you will enjoy the experience of being stretched and blessed.

Busy Month!

Hey, sorry for not keeping up…I promise to post events and thoughts of interest more frequently.  It would be great for some responses to let me know who might be checking in.

On August 22nd I saw Return To Forever with Zappa plays Zappa at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville.  RTF was my favorite band when I was in high school so I was expecting some big things.  To be truthful, it was a bit like going back to the house you grew up in.  It didn’t seem quite as big and awesome as it once did.  I enjoyed the concert, aside from the fact that the acoustics don’t accommodate drums and bass well there.  Some amazing talent in both bands.  Just a little underwhelmed.

I have been busy performing private events with the Skyline Drive Band.  I have also been working a bit with Tim & Myles Thompson (Nashville Amp Expo and the Franklin Jazz Festival).  Tim and Myles are exceptional musicians and I encourage you to visit their website for videos and a touring schedule.  timthompsonguitar.com

I have put the bass instruction videos on hold and have started work on my own CD.  This is self-produced music CD featuring me and some of my favorite musicians with some covers and original compositions.  I plan on having 3 songs complete and available on my website before the end of this year and to try to attract some record label attention to finish and get some distribution after that.  More on that as it develops.

More later.  In the meantime, stay well and post a note!

Fresh off a win.

Happy to announce that my band took first place in our second annual Battle of The Bands at the Dave Ramsey offices.  We got through the preliminary round with a set list of Sunshine of Your Love, Yellow and Higher Ground.  We rocked the finals with You Spin Me Round and A Little Less Conversation.  I won overall best bass player, too.  I guess those lessons paid off!  What a great place to work!

Meanwhile, it is gig season so I am making my usual rounds of playing weddings and private parties.

Hey, any day playing music is a good day, right?

He Is Risen!

I often wondered why the Friday before Easter is called “Good Friday.”  Good is not the word I would use in my natural way of thinking to describe what the son of God went through on that fateful day.  A mock trial, an unjust verdict and an unspeakable crucifixion could only be described as tragic.  There was absolutely nothing good about it…to the natural mind.

But what followed a few days later makes the events of “Good Friday” make sense.  History tells us the tomb where Jesus was placed is empty.  Because of His victory over the grave he promises all those who believe in him eternal life, too.  Revelation 1:18 – I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.  Without Good Friday there could have been no Easter Sunday!

I pray this Easter you enjoy eternal life through faith in Christ.  Not just when your days are ended but start today to enjoy the Kingdom of God and all its benefits.

He is Risen, indeed!

Spring Is Here!

Spring is here.  Things are blooming, more daylight and warmer weather!  Its like the earth celebrates Easter with new life.  It’s my favorite time of year.  I usually get busier with performing, too.

I recently performed in Chicago with Paul Wilbur and am starting to fill in the calendar with local gigs.  I am starting to think a little bit more about recording some of my own music later this year, too and see where that goes.

What’s on your agenda for the spring?  Maybe it’s time to thaw some dreams and goals and get to work on them while it’s nice outside… Have an inspirational thought for the season?  Please post it here!

 

 

Israel Houghton in Nashville review

I just saw Israel Houghton and New Breed in concert this past weekend in Nashville.  Few bands or artists will get me out of the house, Israel being one of them.

I appreciate the fact that the music began with Israel alone at a piano leading the audience in some familiar worship choruses.  This set the tone and focus of the evening nicely which was to worship God and enjoy His presence.  Once the band joined him they turned up the volume and energy to perform a set of popular New Breed songs including a few from his new Grammy award winning recording Love God. Love People.

Before finishing strong Israel made an appeal to sponsor children through Compassion International.  This was consistent with the theme of the evening which I interpreted to be encouragement for Christians to make a difference.

There were a couple of things that could have been improved upon.   I couldn’t make the connection between the video that played before Israel started the worship set and anything that followed it.  It seemed out of place.  Also, the mix wasn’t great.  You could not hear the sax player apart from a few times when he was featured.  The bass could have used more definition, too.  The musicians that tour with New Breed are always tremendous and it would have been nice to hear them mixed better.  I can’t complete a review without a shout out to the drummer who is one of the most creative and musical timekeepers in gospel music today.  As a bass player I know the difference between someone who holds drum sticks and a master beat keeper.  This fellow knows what he is doing!  What a joy to witness.

All in all, I am glad I went and would recommend anyone in a city near a concert date to attend.  Here is a link to the current tour schedule:

Tour @ New Breed Music

John DiModica

 

 

 

With Paul Wilbur in Honduras

Wow-recently returned from filming two great nights of worship in Tegucigalpa, Honduras with Paul Wilbur.  Nearly 10,000 passionate saints attending, 700 voice choir and some of my favorite musicians gathered together for one purpose-to give God a throne of praise to inhabit.  Looking forward to seeing the finished concert video once edited and released.  Off to more performances with Paul and the band in Chicago in March.  Keep posted for more news from the road.

 

-John