It's Jazz Fest time in New Orleans. Today is the first day and its starting with some delicious weather. I woke up early with the "excitement" I remember it from many years ago when I was going to listen to as many bands as I could and its always the same, wether you are playing it or spectating it; Jazz Fest excitement is for real and you have to be here to feel it. The energy is huge, the love is flowing and the notes are waiting to come out.
I am blessed to be able to play with many wonderful bands and musicians. It's gonna be crazy for all the musicians. Some bands don't start till 3am! I'm not in any of those bands, but I am in Bonerama and we have some after midnight shows, you know, a respectable hour. LOL.
The new Bonerama poster is being unveiled tonight. It was done by the fabulously talented Jamie Hayes. I've been seeing his work for years and by coincidence we were in a line at the airport waiting to get on a plane. We started talking and next thing you know he is creating a Bonerama poster with his wonderful talent.
Oh, I gotta go, I start this morning with Susan Cowsill and don't stop till Monday when I have only a Nightcrawler rehearsal. The Crawlers are going to record a record the week after Jazz Fest is over. It never stops here in N.O. 24/7/365 is how it happens in N.O.
Jan. 15,2008
Here a funny quote from my daughter Claire (she's 7). Let me set it up.
We like to drink alot of green tea and she loves it. A few weeks ago she had a friend come and sleep over. I found a notebook open in her room and it had these words in it. I asked her about it and she said it was a song the she wrote with her friend. Last night she had out her electric guitar and we were playing around on it. She had a bunch of questions about writing songs. Late,r she says to me, and this is a quote: "How does it feel to have a daughter who plays guitar, writes songs, and drinks green tea."
I said: "You Rock!"
January 3, 2008
I hope every one has a Great 2008! It's feeling positive so far. Kinda early, but all clues point to good things.
Here is a show I'm participating in along with some of my Bonerama brothers. Its the third one in the last two years. They are the Future Music Coalition and Air Traffic Control's Artist retreat. It focuses on N.O. and what it will take to keep the music flowing. It also focuses on other important topics like Net Neutrality. I was asked to be a participant this year and I am very excited. It starts Jan. 8 with and ends on Jan. 10 with a concert at the Parish's House of Blues. I'm putting some info here to check out and pass along. If you are in N.O. please come on out and support this cause. Its a very important one.
Indie Artists Perform Benefit for New Orleans Musicians Thursday, January 10 HOB Parish 9 p.m.
On January 10, at the House of Blues Parish Room, Jon Langford & Sally Timms of The Mekons, Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket, Charles Bisell of the Wrens, Kimya Dawson (who recently contributed eight songs to the hit movie Juno), Timothy Bracy of Mendoza Line, Janet Bean of Freakwater and Craig Klein, Matt Perrine, Eric Bolivar & Bert Cotton of Bonerama come together to play a benefit show for musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Showtime is 9 pm.
This performance is for the benefit of Sweet Home New Orleans (SHNO), an umbrella organization for 14 non-profit agencies serving New Orleans' music community. SHNO provides relocation, housing, and social services to musicians and tradition bearers in need. Thousands of New Orleans musicians have yet to find stable housing in their neighborhoods since the flood of 2005. SHNO's mission is to help these artists return to their communities, where they can revitalize the city and share their unique culture with future generations.
Buy Tickets: http://www.hob.com/tickets/eventdetail.asp?eventid=50310
ck
October 15, 2007
It seems like My Space has taken over. It's a little more interactive and that is really cool. For more stuff on stuff, go to www.myspace.com/bonerama or
www.myspace.com/craigsparkyklein
There is another Craig Klein out there who has gotten all the craigklein.com's and myspace pages. I had to be a little more creative to get it out there, though not that much more. Dates are added to My Space more often as its easier.
Sometimes sitting down to the computer to do one specific task gets sidetracked by going to check this site or that. I resisted getting a computer and getting hooked up to the net because I new it would slow me down on the things I need to be doing, like practicing music. Is the computer a necessity? Yes, it does become one. Its an amazing way to communicate, but so is music and that is more primordial and computers are more superficial. At least I think.
Disclaimer: Just remember that what ever I write or even say is only my opinion or thought and doesn't mean right or wrong, good or bad. I don't really know left from right or is it right from left......LOL......
OK..its off to a Bonerama rehearsal. I'm in B.R. and am headed to N.O. for the day, then back to B.R. Tomorrow is another rehearsal in the evening so I'll stay in Arabi because we play Wed. evening (6-7:30 at Lafayette Square) then I play at the Palm Court Wed. night (8-11) so I'll stay in Arabi. Mr. Phluffy might be coming in from Lafayette so that means work getting started on the house. He is wonderful, not because he sells shoes to strippers as a sideline, but because he is a master carpenter and is helping me put my house back together. ....ck
target="blank">www.futureofmusic.org/rockthenet" Check these sites out. Sign up, speak up, throw up, sit up, stand up, get up, but do it!
Well, the show at Tips was over the top good. The Indigo Girls were there (Amy & Emily) and they were fantastic. We played Galileo with them. There was also Damian Kulash from OK Go, a great pop rock band that is really really good. We played 2 OK Go songs with him and a David Bowie song called Rock & Roll Suicide. It was really killer and there may be some things coming up with him again. He loved Bonerama and vice versa. Jim James from My Morning Jacket was there along with Matt Nathanson who played some nice acoustic guitar stuff together. Nick Harmer, bass player for Death Cab for Cutie and Pamela Z who is a performance/singer that did some really different stuff. Hard to explain except she had sensors hooked to the muscles on her arms that made sounds and she looped some vocal and, well, it was crazy good. Al "Carnival Time" Johnson sang and played some piano. The finale was everyone on stage playing some music and having fun. It was put on by Erin and Jenny and Chhaya and few other wonderful peeps at the FMC. All I can say it that it was a very uplifting night of music and after being up for almost 24 hours (I did sleep on the planes, but not on the delayed long layover in Denver) I could hardly sleep from being so pumped about the show.
Bonerama (we) are kicking in touring mode next week as we take off on a couple weeks. We play one show in Sussex county N.J. for the Crawfish Festival. Crazy as it seems, but lots of N.O. and La. bands will be there. It goes the same in July and August and more shows planned in the fall. We would like to thank all the friends and fans for coming out to our shows and buying our new CD, Bringing It Home. And we thank you all who are planing on coming out the our shows and to buy our cd. Thanks so so much.
Ok, thats enough for now. Are you bored even more now........ck
May 8, 2007
Jazz Fest is finally over and its Tuesday for me. I just finished it up today with a photo shoot with Emeril Lagasse and Drew Brees. It was a small band that included Matt , Benny Jones and John Parker. The Saintsations were there and it had something to do with Sports Illustrated. Pretty cool.
Oh yea, back to Jazz Fest. It was fantastical! I played 8 times at the Fairgrounds and every one was great. I know it seems like I always say that, but its so true. Of course John Boute did his regular majik in the Jazz Tent while the rain poured out side of it.
I got a call on Thursday from Allen Tousaint's office asking me to play with him on Sunday. Of course I was totally into it even though it meant and early rehearsal on Friday and and even earlier one on Sat. (8 am after playing late at Chickie Wah Wah's with Bonerama till about 3 am), but I was there. Allen is known to have a bunch of rehearsal and then get on stage and change it all up. This set with him was just as planned with just a few surprises. It was wonderful to play with him and the band was tight and hitting hard and Allen was relaxed and in great form. He is so much about music every day and minute of his life. He knows what sound and grove he wants and strives to bring it out of the musicians who play with him. Amazing!
Every Bonerama show kept getting better and better and the excitement that the band is feeling is coming through in the music. Ya gotta experience it. I'm digging it.
With Jazz Fest over its a feeling of mission accomplished, but am somewhat sad to know that we have to wait a year for it all to roll again. Which brings me to the thought process of if the city and state goverment got more behind the music and realize that it is a natural resource to the whole area of south Louisiana, it could be like this a few times a year or part of the year or maybe all of the year. Of course not on the Jazz Fest level, but on a level that would be higher than it is now with no support from local politicos. They seem to be worried about oil and forget that the music of New Orleans is a natural resource that should be tapped.
Don't get me started...ck
April 30, 2007
Wow.....Jazz Fest first weekend is over and what a weekend it was. First, the weather was fantabulous....even better than that. I'm sure it was record crowds. The Nightcrawlers had a wonderful set with lots of energy and fire. Leroy's set was swinging hard as usual and the Bonerama set was plenty powerful and that was Friday. Sat. I was a spectator all day. No backstage BS. I was out there checking it all out. I don't usually have time for hanging out at the Festival, but I didn' t have to play till after midnight at the Rock & Bowl.
Sunday, I was worn out form walking about 18 miles on Sat. at the Fairgrounds so I didn't go out till 4:30 and played a wonderful set with Topsy Chapman and her hip singing daughters, Sweet Harmony.
Oh, on Thursday I played a second line/dedication for the tombstone James Andrews got together for his grandfather, Jessie " OOh Poo Pa Doo" Hill. It was very touching as we sang around the grave of Jessie Hill and Mac Rabenack sang along with every other 50 or so people there. It was an only in New Orleans moment that I will never forget. You kind of had to be there to believe it. It was very moving, but James made light of it as only he can do.
ck
OK.... I have a favor to ask every one who reads this. More than the other favors I ask. Of course most of you know that the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet has got to go, yea? You know that hurricane highway that flooded almost 100% of the structures below the Industrial Canal ( Lower 9, St. Bernard and Plaquimine). Our arch enemy called MR GO. Well, it has to be closed and we need help from people who live outside the State of Louisiana. I am pasteing a "chain letter," but its not a real chain letter except I need every one to send it out to as many people as you can. Its important to contact the folks in Washington and let them know that MR GO has got to go..............check this out and copy it and paste it and send it and visit the sites of your reps in Wahshington......here it is.................
This is a chain letter, but not in the usual sense. I'm asking that you forward it on to friends after taking some action. This won't work unless you really do it. I'm not kidding.
The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet was and is responsible for much of the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It remains open today as a navigable waterway. The Corps of engineers can't do anything to close it until Congress "deauthorizes" it. Unbelievable but true! Our new levee board passed a resolution yesterday (3/23/07) urging congress to deauthorize the channel. Sen. David Vitter is supposed to introduce a bill to deauthorize the "MR-GO" some time this session. This has a short shelf life - please take action NOW!
Now this is where you come in. Congressmen respond to constituents. It is necessary to involve as many as possible to contact congressmen in Washington. It would be sooooooo much better if this message was received by congressmen in different states. The shipping interests have not given up on keeping the MR-GO open - even in the face of the devastation and the future danger.
PLEASE contact 10 friends outside of the state and ask them to contact their congressmen and express their support for the DEAUTHORIZATION of the MR-GO and complete closure following deauthorization. They should be really good friends, friends who you can count on to take some action to help us out and really, it will help them too. I'm not kidding about this. If you forward the names to me and have them forward names to you I can hopefully see this take off and do some good.
This chain letter hasn't been around the world, but if no action is taken, more people will die. I honestly believe we can make a difference. Links to the house and senate are below. An email to the congressmen is fine. Thanks
We just finished our third show of a 10 day run with Bonerama. It was in Virginia Beach at the Jewish Mother and it was a good one. Lots of good people out listening to a bunch of trombones rocking out. The night before we played in Philly at a really small jazz club called Ortleib's. It was cool because there were so many people there and the stage was so small and there was a fist fight while we were playing. Thursday's night show in Boston at the Regatta Bar was great too. The audience was over the top. They were right there with us the whole time. Some times an audience can be right there in tune with the music and there is some thing special going on between the band and the people listening. It is when all things are right. Most of the time there are people who feel what is going on. The Boston show was just right. The whole audience was in tune to what we were doing the whole night and every one in the band felt it. We love when that happens. Hope fully tonight in Baltimore at the 8x10 club it will be one of those nights again. I'l let you know.
Oh, its nice to be in the northeast. Spring is springing and we are seeing lots of good friends. Its good to see every one!
ck
December 12, 2006
After eluding to the fact that I won't be on the next Harry Connick, Jr. tour.......well, it is a done deal. There was going to be huge conflicts and after many hours and days of contemplating I thought it was better for me to give Bonerama 100% of my time, after all its our thing. So many good things have been happening for the band that it was really the only decision to make. Of course Harry gave us his blessing and said we should have done this a long time ago. Playing with Harry and those great musicians every night while on tour was fantastic, but guess what, playing in Bonerama is fantastic too. I will miss it, 16 years is a long time, and we were like a family, but I see other things happening that I need to follow. It will be better.
So you won't see me on the Harry band stand anymore, but you can find me on the Bonerama stage doing our thing, which most of you know what that is. Playing our music and making people shake every thing they got. Keep your eyes and especially your ears open for us. We'll be around more and more and then some more. Tell all your friends - Bonerama....Bonerama....Bonerama....
December 1, 2006
New York is one of the greatest cities on earth. Actually it is the second greatest city (New Orleans is the first, but I'm a little biased). To be here at this time of year is always a special, happy feeling. I love it and tonight is definitely a special night in many ways. Its a start and an end in many ways.
I am in New york tonight for a Harry Connick, Jr. show. Its a private one for Goldman Sachs. It is some high falutin show for people who do not pay to see the show. They are employes and execs that are only going to a party put on by their company so you never know how it will go. I mean the band will be swinging, but sometimes the people are not. When they are sitting at dinner tables they seem to be a little stiffer. Maybe they will be drunk then it will be rocking. I have been with Harry since 1990 and have enjoyed every minute with him and the band, well all most every minute. When opportunity knocks you have to open the door and I opened that door in 1990. Time really files. Opportunity is still knocking and the door is opening wide wide and wider for that sack full of dreams to be realized. Ya heard me!........ck
The Arabi Wrecking Krewe has been going really strong: still cleaning out lots of houses. Sheik reported that he lead the charge in Wrecking 3 houses this past weekend. (I would have to guess that the AWK has done over 100 houses). I tell people all the time that they should go out and help the AWK wreck a house. Its very fulfilling and though fun sounds like a crazy way to describe it, there is something about working with these fantastic people that makes it fun. This takes the pain out of what should be felt. Of course the pain is felt, but the trust and friendship that exists between the people wrecking is fantastic even amongst strangers: its fun. We are all there for the same cause. Get in touch if you are coming to town or in town. We'll let you know what's happening.
Check out the Arabi Wrecking Krewe and sign up to know what's going on at www.arabiwreckingkrewe.com we did Matt's, Tannio's, Barney's, Michael Whites, Joe Toregano, Ben Smith, Daryl Adam's, Mark Braud, Ingrid Luccia, Freddie Lonzo, Greg Stafford and lots more. I think its over 80 houses that have been gutted, roofs patched and cleaned out. Armand " Shiek" Richardson is the leader of the whole thing. He has been doing a tremendous job organizing it and leading it. He's an old friend of many musicians who has been shooting pics of musicians for over 30 years. He is truly a great photographer.
The AWK is made up of volunteers that are either musicians or fans of N.O. music. We all want the musicians to get back as so many are still not home. It is hard work, but very satisfying. If you want to help you are welcomed with gloves and a mask.
December 16,2005
To a great friend, inspiration and fantastic bone brother. A kind warm sincere person who's talent was enormous and now cut short. We will carry on for you my dear brother and will miss you dearly. Till we meet again. Rest in Peace -
Brian O'Neil
I love you like a brother,
Craig
MAKE LEVEE'S, NOT WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MR GO gotta go. (Mississippi River Gulf Outlet that is)
The Rugalator story is now officially out. Check the link below. We had so many people wanting to know what the hell is a rugalator, so Rugalator Ray tells it like it is or was, but still is. Lots of people still wanting to get their own Rugalator. I keep telling Rugalator Ray to make a few, but he is real selective about who he gives them out to. He's a true underground artist that only wants his stuff to be in certain hands. He made some cowbell drum sticks that he painted and decorated. They look pretty cool. Chalmation folk art at the highest level, darlin'.
Trombonly yours.....Craig
'Ru-ga-la-tor' - (OC Rugalatore') (1985) - click here to read more 1: a rattle usually made from a coconut used as a percussion instrument: highly decorative.
2: Chalmation folk art.
3: a booty
See Ya Later,
You can also get the "New Orleans Trombonisms" and Live From New York" CD's at www.louisianamuisicfactory.com. Get some and pass it around.
New Release by Craig Klein : NEW ORLEANS TROMBONISMS
featuring:
Craig Klein: trombone
Paul Longstreth: piano
Gerald French: drums vocals
Kerry Lewis: bass vocals
Leroy Jones: trumpet vocals
Dave Bartholomew: trumpet
John Boutte: vocals
Bert Cotton: guitar
Smiley Ricks: congas vocals
Tanio Hingle: bass drum
Bruce Braeckman: clarinet
There is an internet radio station called Groove Bone that I want you to check out. Someone sent me a link and after checking it out, thought it was a cool place to have some Bonerama and NightCrawlers music played. There are now a couple of songs from each band in rotation on www.groovebone.org Check it out bone fans. Also, www.wwoz.org is the New Orleans radio station that is one of the best in the world. They play New Olreans music and support the local musicians by playing our music. They also play Louisiana music, R&B, Irish (on Sat. mornings), Brazilian (on Sat. afternoons), all kinds of stuff with N.O.as the focus. These two stations are a great asset for musicians who put out cd's that are not in the main stream there fore not able to get much play on other pop stations. I'm not putting any stations down, I listen to all kinds of radio stations. Check them out and spread the word on them too.
