I got a gig!!
In the 2 years since I’ve been in ABQ, I’ve gotten to play with some amazing folks. I’ve been blessed by the opportunity to sit in on several big blues jams. Most notably, I got to play at the Peace Jam and the Jam for Malé, both at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and at last year’s GatoFest at the Marble Brewery downtown. Thanks to the wondrous Hillary Smith, I’ve been able to sit in with several of her bands, including Soul Kitchen, Hill and the Brethren, and Chillhouse. Before they committed to the ‘all-girl’ format, I got to play with hONEyhoUSE, and I’m a kind of permanent special guest with Missing Mandy. These are all incredibly special opportunities, and I relish them.
But now, I’ve actually joined a band! I’m a Deltone!
Delphia has one of the most dramatic and soulful voices I’ve ever heard, and she writes some amazing, emotionally stirring music. Alongside her voice and piano, her Deltones bring it! The Deltones are: Douglas Caldwell on drums, Stephen Dewave Peace on bass, and Delmone Taylor on sax… and now there’s me, hanging out on the electric piano and – of course! – the Hammond organ.
Tonight is my first time to perform with them. We’re performing for the New Mexico Philharmonic Gala at the Las Puertas Event Center. It’s going to be a great fundraiser to support one of New Mexico’s key artistic entities – and I get to be a part of it.
It’s been a couple of years since I was actually in a band – and I’ve missed it! The guys are all great, and Delphia is spectacular. It’s gonna be a fun ride!