Neil Alexander & NAIL

Everyone loves a good story, right? This all started back in the summer of 2008. That was when I began to hear about the 'Hudson Champlain Quadracentennial Celebration' (from now on called the 'Quad')  the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's historic voyage up the river that bears his name. It was around this time that Betsy [...] (read more)

This came across my digital desk today. I immediately recognized as a long lost document, a set of guidelines that every musician Ive ever worked with knows (and could recite under their breath). Profound in their simplicity, forgotten, yet remembered, unspoken, and not often enough acted upon& I hereby present to you the Sidemans Bill OF [...] (read more)

Heres the painting that Clayton did of my performing down at the waterfront in Newburgh last month. This painting just won an award in the Presidents Show of the Kent Art Association. More details to follow; but I thought youd enjoy the image. addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fpdogrecords.com%2Fwordpress%2F2009%2F07%2F31%2Fstreet-noise-painting-by-artist-clayton-buchanan%2F'; addthis_title = 'Street+Noise+%26%238211%3B+Painting+by+Artist+Clayton+Buchanan';… (read more)

Finally -- after a failed attempt to stream the gig and crashing iPhone apps (re: Audioboo!! You listenin??), 2 days later I finally got one song up on Youtube. There will be more; I have 90 minutes of footage and will need to go through it all, but as soon as possible I will post [...] (read more)

So  I did say I was going to write a post about playing the music of John McLaughlin, and all that that entails. Well&..this isnt it. However, I wanted to  for the sake of those who are fans and cannot attend (or can and want to know what to expect)  post the complete list [...] (read more)

A long, long tine ago&I can still remember how that music used to make me smile&. Its been a long way around. But if, as the physicists say, the Universe is curved, then it figures youd end up back where you started. So why am I still somewhat surprised? If youd told me someday people would [...] (read more)

NEIL’S “3 Rules Of Engagement”: My three personal requirements that make a gig, well, worth doing. I have been a performing musician now for more then 35 years(!). I still LOVE it – and that’s saying something! But in the last decade or so I began to find myself in situations that were not entirely to [...] (read more)

FREDDIE JACOBS QUARTET -- KENSHA From a recent jazz gig with Trumpeter Freddie Jacobs. This guy has been a great influence on my jazz playing. Featured here are myself (pno), Freddie (tpt), Cameron Brown (bass) and Bob Meyer (dms), another cat who has been extremely supportive and helpful to me. Its a pleasure to work with [...] (read more)

Just thought Id pop in to let you all know what Im working on, blog-wise. There are a few ideas bouncing around my big fat head, and I try to keep a running list of things I want to share. Heres the partial: Tribute Band Part 2 Tribute Band part 3 CDs I really want to make Playing Mahavishnu: Birth [...] (read more)

So  Ive moved this post to its own PAGE, in order to maintian some semblance of organization (whatever THAT is). And now we can get on with other more blog-y posts, like part 2 of the Tribute Band thing, or tech notes, or& you get the idea. - Neil addthis_url = [...] (read more)

(For a more detailed history of the Tribute Band phenomenon, visit the Wikepedia site here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribute_bands) Once upon a time, there were bands. Bands that broke BIG  were talking tremendously, phenomenomly big. Huger than huge. Bands like&. Led Zepplin& The Beatles& Pink Floyd& Van Halen&. The Police& (insert favorite GIANT rockstar band name here). As [...] (read more)