Townsend Coffehouse is a Smash

Hey,

I just wanted to take a second and congratulate everyone on a wonderful official first performance of the Opus 111 Students Jazz Combo.  I have to first publibly apologize to Diane for dropping the ball concerning the start time.  I should have made sure I spoke to everyone personally to make sure they knew about the time change.  Rest assured I will make sure to do so in the future.

Overall, the performance was very good.  The only tune that had anything close to resembling a breakdown was Moonlight in Vermont.  Again, I need to take the blame for that as we really only practiced that one completely once.  So, it was unfair of me to throw you under the bus with that particular tune.

The feedback from the crowd was very positive.  The only comment that got made was that we were a little loud at times.  Now, with that room shaped the way it was and not having played live in that room before, it's real hard to guage the appropriate volume level until you have played there more than once.  I have a good feeling they may ask us to play again, so we may want to take the volume issue into consideration the next time we play, whether I bring it up to them or if they approach me first.

In closing, I just want to re-iterate how proud I am of all of you.  You each have become good improvisers and there is nowhere to go but forward and improve.  That is not necessarily a reflection of my teaching abilities but more in your individual talent and work ethic.  I consider it an honor and privilege to organize and work with you, and look forward to what we will accomplish in the future.