e. shawn qaissaunee: journal

i've kind of "dropped the ball" on keeping this up to date. sorry-
things get busy some times. : )
gigs are going great-
jay hoad band (www.jayhoadband.com)
is getting a lot of great gigs
and press.
i've been writing a lot
and performing with my trio
quite a bit.
the neighborhood is really becoming a great little community.
i have a couple of great new students
and
life is good.
until next time.
-q-

Well, I hope everyone is transitioning into 2008 smoothly. Lots of change in my life for the new year. Change is good, right? I've been more productive musically as of late (check my myspace page) and I'm also trying to focus on my health- heart, mind, and body. Thanks for checkin' in. Maybe I'll see you soon? - Q

Hey there. It's been a long long time since my last post to this journal. The summer was great, full of great music and great times. It's so tough to believe that 2008 is just around the corner. I'm feeling creative and energized, which are two completely mutually exclusive things for me. I'm hoping to get a lot done before the end of the year. My priorities are, and not necessarily in this particular order: hummus, music, love, health and family.

the trip to wyoming was really great and things here are truckin' along smoothly. i just worked out a teaching schedule at the grand school of music in the grand opera house. i start in mid-september and hopefully this will work out to be a great collaboration. hope you're having a great summer. - esq

well- the rain has been pretty intense. the pictures from pennsylvania have been astounding. all i got was a couple of funny stories to tell my friends, students and family. tales of my 3am "siphon" invention that saved my basement have wowed everyone. gigs have been going great- though i'm looking forward to a little mini-vacation with the family in ocean city, maryland. hope this overdue update finds you well. come see me sometime, ok?

ok- so maybe i did forget about writing here for some time. for those of you who rely on updates to add meaning to your life- well- you should probably talk to a professional about that. things at "q central" are busy and chaotic. the constant struggle between creativity and sustainability is ongoing and ferocious. here are a few great things coming up:
my nephew david is graduating from high school and going to university of delaware---
i will be visiting lovely VCCA in virginia in a few weeks---
the world has not completely collapsed into itself- yet...
i'll leave you on that positive thought. be good to yourself-
and remember to spay and neuter your pets...

It's been way too long since my last entry. Things are going well- I had a great time in NYC and I'm working on taking my band to Colombia. Gigs are going well and I'm looking forward to some warmer weather. ---esq

A truth that’s told with bad intent
Beats all the lies you can invent;
It is right it should be so.
Man was made for joy and woe,
And when this we rightly know
Through the world we safely go.
Joy and woe are woven fine,
A clothing for the soul divine.
Under every grief and pine
Runs a joy with silken twine.

William Blake

The gig at Homegrown last night was a blast and the Sunday brunch at Emjay's was very hip. I'm looking forward to everything coming up this week and to lots and lots of ping pong.

Well- or at least try to. I've being doing pretty well since landing back in the "real world". Apparently VCCA will be having a big 35th anniversary bash in April. That will be great fun I'm sure. Check back often for more updates to the pictures, music and journal page. Cheers! - esq

I'm getting ready to leave what has been a really nice and productive residency. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow night. Myself and the two other composers (Randall and Andrea) are going to host an "open studio" where we will perform our music for the other residents. Initially I didn't think I was going to want to keep in touch with anyone, or at least very few people that I met here. That's turned out to be untrue. I've once again met a bunch of great people and what's even better, most of them are relatively local so I expect to be seeing them as often as possible. It's always a little sad to go, but there are plenty of fish to fry back home. :)

I just arrived back in the second smallest state- a place to be somebody- it's good being first. All are pretty catchy, huh? I'm looking forward to the gigs and spending time with friends, though I'm anxious to get back to VCCA and make the most of my last two weeks there. Things here in DE are going to different when I get back, they HAVE to different. (pretty dramatic, huh?) That's what ten days of spending way too much time with myself does.

I got a chance to check out the local music scene in Lynchburg last night. I sat in on guitar and then drums. A bunch of people from VCCA came out and I think we all had a blast. I'm really enjoying how nice all the people (locals) are down here. The first collaboration of the trip is scheduled to start today. I'm co-writing a song with a writer from Berkeley, California. The weather here is amazing- it's around 60 degrees- yowzaa! Stay tuned for more updates...

I'm settling in here at VCCA and so far things are going well. It's a great bunch of people here including a friend from last year. Today I find myself missing friends and family and wishing that I could play music with some one. Those two things always turn out to be the only drags about being here, but hopefully I'll return home with more energy and a clearer outlook on life. (hopefully)

So far the New Year is going great. 12/31 with Gina and friends was amazing. Lessons have been going really well and I had a great recording session on Sunday with Kimberley Dooley. I'm so thankful that (mostly) all of my friends and family are doing well and I'm really looking forward to my month-long residency at VCCA. I hear there is some serious ping-pong happenin' and I gotta get me sum-a-dat. All attitude-moderate to low talent. Cheers! - Q

It's hard to believe that 2005 is almost over. Though it's been a trying time for the world and the people in it (wars, violence, natural disasters and such), a lot of great things have happened this year- both in the wider world and in the little world of yours truly. Here are some good things that happened in 2005--- I got a brand new nephew (Ehsaan). I released a new CD (Passing Through). I had an amazing trip to the northwest (Oregon and Washington state)- and lots lots more that I won't bore you with. --- I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday and that things work out for the best (whatever that happens to be) in the new year. All My Best- esq

I had a fun time at the "cousins" party in Jersey. Lots of cool kids this year. The piano performance was stellar. Heading back to the second smallest state tomorrow and going to see Syriana with Emily tomorrow night. Hope the holidays went great for everyone.

It's probably way too late to post, but I feel like I've been neglecting this part of my site for too long.

Heading into Christmas tomorrow- lots of shopping to
do. Eventually I'll get my act together and get this stuff done in advance. It's mayhem on the streets everywhere- I'm wanting to hide away with some good food, drink and a couple of friends.

Hello to all friends- happy holidays and I hope to see you soon! - Q

Headed down to DC tonight with Charlie Murry and then tomorrow morning we're off to Charlottesville, VA. We're hoping to check out some good music and maybe play some if we get the chance. Have a great weekend!

There was a great party for Roy (aka The Jazz Man) at Vincent's last night. The place was packed, the food was tasty and the music was (mostly) great. It's always a treat to hear guys like John Swana, Dave Posmontier and Larry McKenna.
The party was for such a great cause- Roy is a great guy and has done a lot to keep music alive at Vincent's. Hope you're having a great day- thanks for reading.