One thing’s for sure: New York City is nothing like home. There’s really no way I can describe the huge shift from stepping out of my house to trimmed lawns and white houses to  bustling crowds of people and the incessant honks of car horns.

And there’s absolutely always something to do here. The lights are on in Times Square even in broad daylight where it isn’t necessary, and there always seems to be the echo of someone’s music underground in the subways.

Unfortunately jetlag and fatigue hit me so hard yesterday that I couldn’t do much outside of sleeping and glancing over at the television every now and then (which is strange, because New York is only three hours ahead of Los Angeles) — but today’s day in New York City definitely made up for it:

Columbia University College Tour

This Columbia tour had some strange coincidences. But first off, we — a large mass of students and their ecstatic parents — were taken into a small room in the Visitor Center of the Low Library (the term small here being relative in regards to the size of this campus) for a short informational session: the application, the personal statement, expenses — all the functions of Columbia. It came to the point where we were being divided into three groups, one for each tour guide, and I’d decided to go with the guide with the navy-blue Columbia shirt because he’d mentioned that he was an Economics major with a concentration — not that I have any plans to go into either field, but I just wanted to get a feel for the difference between a double major and a major + concentration education.

Our guide introduced himself to us as Richard Quatrano: Economics/Hispanic Studies student, rising junior, and drummer for the free jazz ensemble. I almost tore a page in my notebook out in excitement. We had much to talk about during our tour today — about Columbia’s jazz program, of course, and perhaps a bit more about jazz itself. He recommended me to talk to Ben Waltzer and Chris Washburne, both instructors at Columbia University. I will, of course, contact them at a more decent hour, but in the meantime, it’s my recommendation now that you listen to them:

Chris Washburne here:

And Ben Walzer’s music page here.

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: Skipping/Fred Hersch Trio/Whirl

I know it’s somewhat of a huge problem when even my jazz band director asks me why I haven’t been posting lately. You see, there’s this lovely thing that many of us do at the end of the school year: AP (Advanced Placement) Testing, a series of separate four-hour tests that help me earn credits towards college and idealistically helps me gain an understanding of what I’ll be doing in college. While most students limit themselves to one or two, I’m one of the crazy ones that think they can handle taking four and maintain their sanity at the same time.

So, studying? Yes.

Jazz? Not as much as I’d like to at the moment.

Even as I type this, my computer’s sitting on top of an AP US History review book saturated with highlighter and pen ink. The bag next to me has three more review books peeping out: AP Language/Composition, AP Calculus BC, and AP Physics. I’ll let you know if I make it out of this alive.

I’ve been resisting the urge to throw my review books and notes to the side and tell you about my fantastic adventures in Monterey with the jazz band, recording at Cuesta College in a professional recording studio with George Stone, playing as a guest band at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. Even though it’s been a while since we came back, it’s truly impossible for me not to tell you guys about it. So just for my sanity’s sake, here’s one of my favorite pictures that I took over the trip:

(Billy Harper!)

Also, I mentioned above that the West Ranch HS Jazz Band recorded its debut CD that’s going to be available by June 1st. I’ve got the order forms right next to me, but I’d like to see this CD go to faraway places — let me know if you’d be interested to purchase one (the price is set at $10 + shipping) at rachelc @thejazzpost.com.

See you after AP Exams!

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: Solar/Bill Evans/Sunday At The Village Vanguard (Bill Evans has kept me awake and alive for the past few weeks at the review books! This album always reminds me of how much I admire Scott LaFaro’s playing. Evans, of course, stole my heart from day one.)

When you think music, what do you think of? You might think of the LA Phil — I’m probably thinking about the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. The point is, music is huge — and although I might pick favorites, I’m not about to miss out on any of it. That’s why I went to West Ranch High School’s first home marching band competition. (I was part of the marching band’s pit last year, too, so I’ve got a bit of an attachment to it as well.)

A bit about this year’s show — it’s called Triumph and Tragedy, supposedly reflecting the story of the Titanic. (note the flowy Rose-channeling dresses and giant Titanic-esque smokestacks in the background) I’ll be posting the show as soon as it’s up on good old Youtube. For now, here’s the show from last year, Bermuda Triangle. (On a side note, I really miss playing the marimba after watching this.)

Marching band’s a unique thing — it’s not an ensemble and it’s not a sport; it’s both. And despite how much I’ve learned from jazz band about communication and working together, it’s really hard to compare it to how much I learned about teamwork from my experience in marching band. It probably lies in the fact that even though every musician in the marching band has their own individual part and choreography, it doesn’t mean much until it’s done altogether at the same time. When there’s over a hundred people on the field doing this like the West Ranch marching band, it’s pretty incredible. It takes hours and hours of hard work from students and staff and band directors to get this pulled together this well — kudos to the West Ranch High School Marching Band guys!

It’s pretty difficult to describe how much I admire these kids, so here’s some photos to show you instead :):

This totally captures the challenge of multitasking in the pit (otherwise, the front percussion ensemble):

And I’m also super proud of the sister (center, look of crazy joy on face) — I’ve never seen her smile this much in my life. Hooray for friendship and bonding!

I’m definitely looking forward to next year’s competition — keep up the great work, West Ranch!

(For more information about the West Ranch Marching Band, visit www.westranchmusic.com)

This weekend I’m going out to UCLA to check out the 2009 Performing and Visual Arts College Fair. Berklee, Juilliard, the Manhattan School of Music, and the New England Conservatory of Music will be there as well as many other great colleges with fantastic art programs. To see the full list, go here.

If you want to join me, here’s all the information.

If not, be sure to look out for my next post about my experience there.

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: Teen Town/Weather Report/Heavy Weather

If you’ve been directed here from the program distributed at West Ranch High School’s inaugural Wildcat Classic marching show, welcome to the Jazz Post. For more information, check out the ABOUT page.

Pictures from the event will be up on Thursday — wish me luck on the PSAT!

If you still haven’t checked out Seis Cuerdas, here’s a little glimpse of their “Flamenco for a new generation” via Youtube:

This is La Posada from their 2006 album, Solo Guitarras. To check out more of their songs & albums, visit the Seis Cuerdas store or look up Seis Cuerdas on iTunes. I’m currently addicted to the Volumen IV album. Why? For starters, it’s just the two guitarists — no bass, percussion, or lyrics — which is great when you’re trying to focus. Their chords are calming — but at the same time, they push you forward in whatever you’re doing (especially when I’m cramming for a test that night :]). That’s really the beauty of their music in general — the mix of two opposites: romance and aggressiveness. If there’s a way to mix rock and metal with flamenco, Seis Cuerdas has done just that.

I also got a chance to exchange a few emails with the Seis Cuerdas brothers this past week — here’s what Martin & Ezquiel Etcheverry have to say about Seis Cuerdas:

Tell me about your hometown, Buenos Aires (especially about its music!). How did it get you started as musicians?

Martin: Buenos Aires is home of the Tango, which is totally the opposite of what Seis Cuerdas is about. I would say that our hometown had nothing to do with the music we play — don’t get me wrong, it’s an amazing and beautiful city with a lot of history and music — but we were always a little apart from its culture in terms of music.

I was 16 when i picked up a guitar for the first time and my brother Ezequiel was 11, we were pretty much inspired by bands like Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Queen and AC/DC to be honest with you — then we heard about a flamenco guitar player called Paco De Lucia and we got into flamenco.

Ezequiel: Think about this: Seis Cuerdas started in 2001, what Martin is telling you happened around 1986 or 87, so Seis Cuerdas’ style is the consequence of many years playing rock and metal.

What brought you to LA (and later, Santa Monica)?

Ezequiel: We had a band at the time and we wanted to try our luck in LA, so we all moved in 2001 from Buenos Aires, Argentina, but things didn’t work out very well and we ended up breaking up the band — that’s when Seis Cuerdas started.

Martin: We’d heard about Santa Monica because a friend was playing there with his band Los Pinguos and he told me to try out. We did and we’ve been playing there since then.

What are your goals as musicians, and what keeps you going as guitarists?

Martin: Our only goal is to be able to keep doing what we are doing, which is playing music. Everything else from touring the globe to making millions is just a consequence; we don’t see that as a goal.

Ezequiel: We are extremely grateful for what this country has been giving us since we moved in 2001. There is no better feeling than playing your music and making people happy, and we see that every time we play, so we couldn’t ask for more.

Martin: Playing guitar is, as cliche as it may sound, a way to express yourself. We don’t do it to be cool or hook up with chicks; we don’t follow a trend; we don’t give a rat’s ass about whats selling or not, about whats played on the radio or what some magazine tells you its good or not. We just write music and use guitars so people can hear it.

What are some of the most exciting things that have happened to you as musicians?

Ezequiel: Hmmmm, so many things but I would say going on tour in Israel was one of the most exciting things.

Martin: Putting together Seis Cuerdas and being able to play with my brother.

What advice would you give to aspiring young musicians like me?

Martin: No matter what instrument you play, just find your own sound, learn different styles and practice a lot…

Ezequiel: Be true to yourself, if you are gonna do it, do it for the right reasons.

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: El Padrino/Volumen IV/Seis Cuerdas (there’s a quote from Black Orpheus in here!)