a summer in California

Big Sur

California has had a big place in my heart for years now. Ever since i moved to San Francisco many years ago for a short time, it felt like home. I flew into San Francisco a few weeks ago now, after packing up all my belongings and leaving them with friends or on the side of the road, only to head straight up north to the Trinity Alps. I was part of a festival up there that my friend Ian Scarfe founded called the Trinity Alps Chamber Music Festival. We all stayed together at our friends gorgeous farm in Hyampom and practiced, rehearsed, swam, ate, drank, and watched the stars for days and nights on end. After a week of this we performed several concerts for the community around the area, in Hyampom, Weaverville, Redding, even at the Strawhouse Cafe. Easily an hour and half flight or 6 hour drive from San Francisco, these areas are remote, gorgeous, and incredibly appreciative of the chamber music my friends and i were performing. It is likely i will be returning in August, so stay tuned for more incredible chamber music, hiking, and rafting adventures!
 
Since July 1st I have been stationed in a tiny little town called Carmel by the Sea. Known for many quirky things like having no street lamps, so as to better be able to view the stars at night, and being a home for Clint Eastwood, and having a ban on eating ice cream on the sidewalk, it is an incredible little town full of music for the month of July because of the Carmel Bach Festival! Paul Goodwin and Peter Hanson are two of the new members of our little Bach Family here, and we are rehearsing many different programs for our two week festival coming up! Opening night is July 13th - check out the website HERE I'm also performing lots of little concerts and programs on the side at various churches, retirement communities, cafe's, and shopping centers over the next couple of weeks to spread the love and enjoyment of music around to as many people as i can! (sunday morning at church in the forest in Pebble Beach)

I'm also busy organizing a new camp in Big Sur at the moment... many more details to come. It is in partnership with YOSAL and Big Sur Land Trust, and our first week starts on July 29th!! Yesterday I spoke with Al Jardine about doing a small performance with me for the kids... I can't wait to bring music and Big Sur into these children's lives. Two of my favourite things in the world!!!

edwin