besides seeing mark feldman play with evan parker, we also went and watched him put on a workshop.

he's a hilarious guy with intense skill. during the workshop he answered general questions about his education (studied violin until he was 19, then from the age of 40-45), his background (spent many years in nashville playing with notables), and his more current work (masada stuff with john zorn, as well as work with his wife, pianist sylvie courvoisier). he also discussed technique and shared anecdotes. feldman is a no-bullshit kind of guy and the group of us all enjoyed the event.

mostly, though, he played a sampling of various styles. nothing like a small room audience with someone who screams it out like feldman. seeing his playing style has added a nice level of visualisation when i listen to albums he's on.

feldman and the rest of the new york jazz scene makes me want to visit the city some day soon.

workshop at the roundhouse studio, vancouver, july 3, 2004