It's been a busy couple of weeks of music! Since I embarked on this new journey of music as a career (for the second time in my life) it has been a slow process of building activities, and I believe the momentum is now building. Of course Amy and I are about to depart for India in January so that will put a hold on Toronto activities for a couple of months. Nevertheless it has been a very busy and rewarding time here. Music Night at Darchei Noam on Dec. 5 was a great success, with 170 people showing up, to my utter amazement and appreciation! And the music was special with my regular "posse" and some added congregational members adding their musical touches. So that was the first gig. On Dec. 9 I had the honour of serenading the dinosaurs at a corporate gig for Annie DiMilo (singer) at the ROM. Then on Dec. 12 Paul Gellman Band rocked at the Axis. That plus coaching my students has made the time very productive. So perhaps this is a sign of things to come! I am letting you and everyone know that I am available to help in all kinds of musical projects, either as bandleader, musical director, sideman (sideperson sounds lame), accompanist, arranger, producer, session man, coach, teacher, whatever!!! Well almost whatever...

The truth is, while I won't likely get rich doing it, I gain many riches from the work, doing something I love, and spreading the knowledge and experience to others. So this is a great thing!

Other than that, I am focused on preparing for the Voyage to India, doing research, planning, visas, inoculations, etc. We are getting excited, and trust this will be a great adventure! I have dreamed of visiting India since I was a teenager, and both Amy and I are looking forward to a different world, exploring history, nature, yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic practice, music and who knows what else!

Happy Channukah, happy holidays, happy times!

U.S. Thanksgiving

So we're in Connecticut celebrating with family, and it's pretty cool...

Also checking out Peter Himmelman, an L.A. based musician who hosts a live to web show from his home studio every Tuesday. What a cool idea - self broadcasting through streaming video on the web. And I'm still trying to get some video clips on Youtube. We have a lot to learn!

Which by the way is part of this new song I've been struggling with. I worked some with my buddy Frankie on some lyrics and they are starting to emerge, but boy! It can be so difficult to find the words to express the feelings sometimes! Music is not usually hard, but WORDS!!!!

So the ideas are starting to come, slowly slowly. I'm hoping to have the song done for my next gig, but it's coming fast, so I'm not sure. Anyhow, a few gigs coming up that I'm excited about, and I am learning new skills, new tools, and slowly slowly progressing.

Why is it that we are so connected to our cell phones, pdas, computers, Facebook, email, and all, and have trouble connecting person to person? Turn it all off and look me give me some eyeball, some face time, some full attention, and I will give you the same.

Why is that with global warming, the world is feeling colder?

When the darkness comes, what do we do?

When the darkness comes, I will wait...

When the darkness comes, I will be true...

When the darkness comes, there will be new light.

Like night vision, the shapes will emerge and we will see again.

At the mercy of the mystery
I will be still and wait for the light to emerge again...

~P

Song trapped in my heart

So I have been struggling to get some new songs written, lots of musical ideas, a few (so far) instrumentals over the past months, but WORDS!! Anyhow, I sat down yesterday and this is what came to me:

I have a song trapped in my heart.
The words sit there, the emotions
Like a lily in a pond just out of reach
I'm trying to touch them and it hurts.

What am I trying to say?
What is the "message"?
What needs to come out?

It's
happy and sad
clear and confused
hopeful and depressed
cynical and optimistic
a dream and a harsh reality.
It is so mixed up
like me.

I have a song in my heart
and I want to sing it
but it sticks in my throat
I croak like a frog.

I suppose a frog's croak is also a song.

A busy week of music!

Hi all: It's been a full week. Teaching sessions, a gig last Saturday night and another solo appearance last night! I think I call that a full week!

Now there's a bit of a lull, nothing booked so far in November, but three gigs in December, plus my coaching sessions. My Music Workshop has one participant (come on people!) so he is getting private lessons. My hope is the next time I offer this workshop it will attract more people so we can get the group dynamic going! Some interesting developments on this front, and I will keep you posted.

Also did a little bit of video at the Annex Live gig on Saturday, haven't seen the results, but I am hoping I can post a couple of tunes on Youtube, etc. That will be a first for me!

So what's going on? Trying to stay creative, play and compose and finish some new songs - it's been a while. Lots of musical ideas, lyrics are still hanging out in the stratosphere. They will appear in due time. Also continuing to look for ways to earn income at this endeavour, and to save expenses in other ways.

What's going on?

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving everyone! While it's a bit of a dreary day, it's so nice to have a slow day to hang with family and friends, probably there'll be food involved.

Things are cooking musically, sometimes in unexpected ways. The Music Workshop is progressing, though at the moment it is one person! So if you are reading this, and have been considering joining the workshop, please do! Check the details on my website.

Some nice gigs happening too. Simchat Torah at our synagogue Darchei Noam, was a joy, and our shul band The Nigunatics expanded to include a bass player Jules Vaisberg and the incredible Martin van de Ven on clarinet! Martin plays on my CD, and Beyond the Pale, and and and... what a treat to have him there. I have invited Martin to join me just about any time for any gig!

Coming up The Annex Live this coming Saturday Oct. 17 from 7-10 pm. Richard Keelen, fellow Perth County Conspirator will join me, along with Joey Goldstein on guitar, Shira Gellman on vocals and guitar, and Trevor Fentum on drums. Should be a good one!

Working on a bunch of projects, some band performances, some recording, some coaching, it's starting to get busy, which is a good thing.

Feel free to comment on my posts. I would love to start a conversation so please join in!

~P

It's a new beginning!

So it's a New Jewish Year, and it just so happens that Mercury goes direct today! (Whew!) It's been a challenging time for me, and I have been confused and worried about my direction. Today I feel much more invigorated and clear, so let me say that my direction is MUSIC! I want to grow my music practice on every level, and even generate more income from music. I have a couple of students that I am coaching, and hope to grow my Music Workshops into something bigger and even more rewarding for students and for me. I realize that "everything takes longer". Anyone who knows me well will recognize that as one of my mantras (another is "things I'd like to say..."), and if I remember my own words, I will be patient and steadfast and keep inching forward. I have some other ideas to pursue as well that may or may not pan out financially. I was speaking to someone yesterday about how my life is good, and my bank account is not so good, and he said "Who's bank account is good?". Are we ever satisfied? Do we ever have enough? Why is it so important to focus on earning money? And how often to we work at earning money at what we love doing? This is my lesson to myself, and I trust the Universe will continue to provide as it always has. Have a good day, week and year! ~P

Friday's post

Lots of stuff going on. People are signing up for the Music Workshop (thank you!) which is starting Sunday Oct. 4. Please send me a comment if you have interest in this series, it will be a fun learning experience for everyone, including me!

Getting ready for Yom Kippur with family and community - a time of reflection, and as I reflect I feel substantial concern for the state of our world and society, and for our lives here in Toronto, the Heart of the Beast. How is it possible to survive and balance our lives, including the soul and the material world? Anybody know? I'd love to!!!

Things that continue to help me is a little yoga practice in the morning, some minutes of meditation daily, and opportunities to experience nature. Time with Amy and loved ones is also precious, and I want to continue to focus on these things. So the balancing act is about making a living while maintaining this balance.

That's what's going on for me today. Comments?

My first post!

Welcome to my blog! (Welcome to my world?)

A friend of mine suggested I start a blog to capture thoughts and events as they happen, so I can effectively communicate with the online community. So here is what's going on for me:

After almost 40 years of performing, creating, teaching and sharing music, I am embarking on a new venture to help others grow their music. I have announced the first Music Workshop with Paul Gellman, which is designed to answer the question "What do you want to do with your music?" I have begun coaching others (well, one student so far!), and am enjoying the experience a lot! And my student keeps coming back, so it seems there is value in what I am sharing. So I want to grow this practice, and share whatever knowledge, experience and joy I have with those who play music and want to get better.

I welcome your comments and look forward to starting conversations and growing this community of friends! Thanks!

~Paul
www.paulgellman.com