Saturday, June 16, 2007

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Home and missing you already

Dear ones, I want to say that the slide shows for the We Be 3 Eureopean tour 2007 are complete. Thank you dear Janne for your incredible eyes, skill and heart. There are many more wonderful photos which you might want to see. All photos by Janne Watson except for Tilburg, which are from Kees Kool and Nicoline Snaas. I will love to have your comments as you check in. Please do check in and comment. We would love to hear from you.
We are all missing the warmth and love of Europe, outdoor cafes and conversations with friends, good coffee and food, and singing everywhere.
Joey and David have phoned in to say it was the best tour of life so far and I agree. Janne won't take off her Italia hat and we often conjure our life part time in Europe.
So let's do it again and in the meantime sing for your life!!!
Off to Europe with Voicestra June 25 to July 7. More blogs coming!
Big love,
Rhiannon and We Be 3.

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS OR TO MAKE AN ORDER CONTACT JANNE AT: jannevision@jan-ewatson.com

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Holland, here we come...

First swell haircuts with Artur!

May 25, 2007
I have to admit something here. I am home now, writing this final installment of the blog from my own desk, looking out at the great trees and the night stars of Point Reyes. The tour is over, but of course I am still thinking about all the aspects of it. Toward the end, it went so quickly, I couldn’t keep up with writing all that was happening. I may be writing for some days now that I am home and memories occur to me or come back in dreams.
Holland, dear, darling, lovely Holland. No matter how often I go there, I am reminded always of the quirky, open, wacky, sometimes rigid nature of Dutch people. I love this culture and all that has happened here creatively because of the culture and the collaborations from all over the world. It is evident everywhere.
We begin by Janne and I getting our hair cut at Kinky in Amsterdam by Artur. I love this guy. So tall, handsome, kinky and so great with hair. We have a great afternoon on the Harlemmerstraat before catching the train to Rotterdam.

Rotterdam
We are working at the Conservatory in Rotteredam. Moni and Nicoline arranged this. The only way to get enough funding was to put the singers from the various departments together. So our students were from the jazz, world music and music theater departments. That meant we worked with about 80 singers that day. It was intense. The voicestras were electric, like lifting the roof off the room. Such good singers with great training and fire! More ethnic diversity than in the other schools and that brings on more fire. We had a wonderful day with hardly a breath left at the end. And of course another concert to do in the evening. We had a lovely meal with some of the staff so that helped to shift gears. The hall where we did the concert was an amazing architectural achievement on the edge of an old building that now has new life and lots of music in it.
Rotterdam has great architecture and very proud of it. We loved being there and wish those students great musical futures and hope to meet again. Please be in contact as time goes by. You were enormously inspiring. Keep on!

Amsterdam
Amsterdam feels like my home away from home. Many friends, such a charming city, great coffee and art and those bikes. Oh how I love to ride through that city. Fortunately Janne was very excited to ride as well so we had great times getting around. She got lost when she first went on her own, but that seems to be a necessary part of meeting Amsterdam. Joey and David loved it there as well. It was a great place to end the tour as the energy is very strong there.
Nicoline and her sister Margreet organized 52 students to work with us at the Crea in the center of Amsterdam Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. We did large group Voicestras and small sessions divided in thirds so each of us got a chance to work in a more intimate way with this strong group of singers. Many of them were familiar to me from other years. Some of them have become dear friends like Ineke and Martine, Wies, Hugo, Kees, Henk, Marian, Anne Mieke and on and on. What a rush of pleasure to walk in the room and see all of you gathered together to sing. The Voicestras were very charged. We did a 3 hour session on Friday and Sunday singing without stopping. It was magnificent. We all felt the power of it.
Then of course we did the concert in the evening. Oh my, how much energy we all gave to make that happen. It was in a grand church on the Harlemmerstraat. Very beautiful and the acoustics worked great with the help of our sound guy for all of Holland, Roger. He did a great job for us. The evening was powerful and by the end, I think the 3 of us felt completely full with the whole tour. Fortunately Martine came and improvised/danced with us. Nicoline sang the 23rd Psalm with us and all the singers came up and we made more Voicestras.
By the end, the three of us stood in a circle together and held each other for a long time just feeling all we have been through on this tour, how good it has been and how much we love to make music together.
Deeeeep gratitude to all who helped make it possible.
Next morning we jump up and head for the airport. Janne, David and I fly together, Joey later in the day. Some passport confusion aided enormously by Nicoline and dear Angelique and we make it to the plane.
Here a sad note that David’s mom, Lucy who has been very ill in the last years, died on May 21 as we were flying home. Please put her in your prayers and your music.
From California, from Boston to Ascona, Tilburg, Munich, Mannheim, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. We send our love and gratitude for all.
May the music flourish and heal forever. May we return to one another and grow more music very soon.
Hope to see some of you in Europe this summer with Voicestra. Look on this website for cities and dates.
Mighty blessings. Ache Ache. A ho. Amama ua noa.
Big music love to you all.
More to come,
Rhiannon and We Be 3

On to Mannheim!

May 14—Mannheim
We get to sleep late in Mannheim and we all need it after the big week-end in Munich. Johanna Seiler is traveling with us for the rest of the tour so we are now a tribe of five. She arranged all our travel in exchange for music sessions. We have many good conversations on the trains about teaching, writing music and life in general. I am so very fond of her and grateful to have her good energy with us. She did a wonderful job on the travel arrangements.
Tobias Wollerman meets us at the Pop Akademie where we teach in the afternoon.
The students are mostly singer/songwriters with one mouth percussionist and a whole lot of enthusiasm about musical life. I feel mightily encouraged with their devotion to music. We have two great sessions with them so we get to hear each voice and try some Voicestras and small ensemble improvisations.
Very soon after our last session we do a closing concert just for the students. It is full of energy on their part and on our part a reminder that we want to give them our best because they are so great. The day has been invigorating, but doing these concerts at the end of a long day is clearly not optimal. It is soooo important to be an empty vessel in order to improvise, and even more so, to improvise with others. Afterwards we talk about our promise to one another that we will remember that we need a day to clear our heads and hearts before concerts. I am learning so much from this tour about how to proceed. Seems clear we should proceed and do this again. It is a powerful musical form and we love working together.
After the concert Tobias and Udo, the head of the school, take us all to a splendid dinner where we get a chance to talk about music and learn more about this unique music program, the only Pop Akademie in Germany with many schools around the world wanting to partner with them. Tobias and Udo are genuine, smart, devoted music lovers. We wish them the best with their terrific students and plans to take music everywhere.
Sleepy, sleepy again and then off to Holland with a nice long train ride on the ICE.
Continue on to 'Older Posts' for the beginning of the trip...

Munich with Laila

May 13, 2007

Returning to Munich where Laila Muhs and her children, Stella and Raphael, are my anchors.
Once again Laila has organized a group of singers to work with us for the week-end.
But first we will do a gig at the Unterfahrt, the local jazz club. I love to sing there because the vibe is very good, and the audience loves to listen. It is a great challenge to be in this atmosphere of jazz, complex charts and musical reference, and to do completely improvised sets.
I have invited Roman Seehon, percussionist, and Christian Doepke, pianist, to sit in with us. Very exciting to add a harmonic instrument to this mix and a second percussion instrument. I watch as Joey and David meet Christian and Roman. There is a pause in the air as we begin the sound check. Then the music lifts off and I sense that we all breathe a happy breath of, “Oh this will be great.”
The evening is terrific, full of feeling and great musical moments. We have 6 young children in the audience as well as teen-agers, Stella and Raphael and lots of singers.
I love this night. The second set has segues from one idea to another. Rather than stopping and
receiving applause, we settle into the next musical mode. This allows the music to drop in deeper and deeper.
Thanks Christian and Roman and to Joey and David as well for trusting.
The workshop is strong, with David, Joey and I team teaching. I think it works really well for the students, but we notice as the days go by that it is very intensive for us because we never stop.
One of the studies of this tour is how to give to the students all day and save enough for the
improvised concerts. We had a great conversation about the depth of the work during the day,
physically and emotionally and then how to get clear enough to do an improvised concert.
It takes time to empty after a whole day of this musical exchange. Next trip we would be sure to have the concerts on a separate day.
Did I say how great the night train was from Arnhem to Munich? Not easy to manage a full day
of teaching in Tilburg and then a concert directly after and then rushing off to the train from Tilburg to Arnhem and then the creepy mid-renovation of the train station in Arnhem waiting for the night train not sure which one it was or which track it would really be on. Finally we board the City Night train with the kind help of the steward of our wagon, a darling guy from Brazil. We find our private cabins where we will sleep. Of course David is longer than the bed, but he says he will manage. He has to manage this all through the tour. I feel for him each time he looks at his bed for the night. We are all however, grateful for the privacy and the clean, efficient rooms especially as we walk the wagons to go have dinner and we see so many people trying to be comfortable in chairs or 6 beds to a room. I am so grateful that Johanna convinced me to have private rooms. We have a very good dinner together, the three of us, talking about our teaching and the way we have come to perceive our work that has so much in common. We walk back to our rooms. I love closing the door and having my own window on the night as we roll through Germany. I sleep so well and wake by the tap of the Brazilian steward who brings tea and breakfast to the cabin. Morning comes as we roll into Munich.
That is a great way to travel.
Back to the work in Munich:
There are several students from other years as well as new voices to hear. We move from
technical, percussive and bass study to free improvisation study. I love teaching with the two
of them. I find myself agreeing with the things they say and the way they approach the work.
What a great joy to find one another as I sense they like teaching with me as well. Like having
family in the deepest part of life.
Thanks to all the singers who gave so much and were willing to stand on the edge of what they
know and be willing to learn. See you in another year. Keep studying…
On to Mannheim.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Darling, delicious Gubbio, Italy and Tilburg, Holland




May 2 to 6, 2007
Gubbio was our 5 days of rest. We walked on those ancient cobblestone streets. Up and down.What a good stretch for the quads. The food, every meal, was so delicious and memorable. Well, Janne says it below. Photos show more than we can say. I want to remember Fabio who ran the local internet center. He was so kind to us and to all the visitors. It was like a little U.N. there.



This from Janne our traveling photographer and my partner in life:
Gubbio,Gubbio, small medieval village in the mountains of Umbria. Said to be the most intact village of the period. We walked and ate and slept. The red table wine from the region was yummy and so smooth. The coffee, a delicacy to be had in late morning with maybe a little something sweet, never to go--no to go cups--superb. The time given to eating and being with people gave me pause. Never was I given a check to leave, I had to ask. Stores close from 1-3. And dinner around 8:30 or for the Europeans, 20.30. Every restaurant served what was local for the time of year-rucola, lettuces, local meats, salamis, cheeses, and fish when it came in from Ancona (on the coast of the Adriatic), thrilling gelatto on every corner. Narrow, narrow streets--small cars, some classics. David and I fell in love with the Fiat 500L-pictures shown! As well a beautiful meal at Maestro Giorgio's and the ancient landscape and walls of the old city where we walked every day for hours. We were there just before an annual celebration Tre Ceri in Gubbio, that has existed for 700 or 800 years where thousands fill the street carrying these saint Orbs (for lack of a better word). The street shots are of the entrance into town the week before in which the children are carried down the streets on them and the young boys carry them-on the day 15th of May the men do it all. The photos will give you a taste of this wonderful village, thank you Mary, for our home away from home and Sasha, our friend from home...enjoy the images. (More Photos on my 'Posts from the Road Blog').

May 10, riding the City Night train from Tilburg to Munich.
Taught for three days in Tilburg at the Fontys School in the theater department. 42 wild and inspiring theater students singing for all they are worth, and they are worth a lot.
First I want to apologize to Hubert Beethovan and Jozie for not thanking them publicly at the performance. My head was so full, I missed saying your names.
Hubert, I want to thank you for coming to all the classes and participating with full heart. Your enthusiasm, musical intelligence and your clear devotion to the students are gifts I won’t forget.
Jozie, you were there at every turn to be sure we had everything we needed, all details covered in a beautiful way and your singing is splendid. Wishing you to be recognized as the leader and deep teacher that you are.
Thank you both for all you bring to these students.
Continuing thanks to Marcel, Kaase, Nicoline and Angelique. We speak of all of you as we are riding the train tonight and our gratitude spills back to you. We will see you again soon.
Then the students from Tuesday and Wednesday….
Not so easy for us to meet one another in this short time, but it was a deep dive into heart and soul through the language of music. Thank you for being so available, wild, funny, willing, rhythmic in all vocal drum set ways and able to cross the circle staying authentic to yourselves. We toasted you tonight as we ate dinner rolling along. Remembering many of you by hair, clothes, attitude and story. Too hard to get everyone’s name, but believe me you are in our hearts.
Each of us had stories to tell of our separate sessions with you, comparing how you were and what we learned being with you. Mostly that the future is secure with you all coming to your power and creativity in the coming years. Keep moving on and in and out. We believe in you.
The students from Thursday, we want to thank you for giving so much in just one day. Hope to have more time another day, as it was just a taste of what we can give one another. I loved how brave you were jumping into soloing and creating voicestra parts by the est of your pants. Do you have that expression in Dutch?
I urge you all to keep the music alive as you study theater. Keep connecting your artistry in all realms. Find ways to perform even as you prepare to teach. They are so connected.
We are all tired tonight as I imagine you are, but feeling very fulfilled.
Sleep well…….
Soooooo sorry, no photos yet, but maybe Kees Kool will send some soon or Nicoline. We will get them up as soon as possible because of course you were beautiful.
On to Munich.

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Ascona, magical Ascona







End of April, ‘07
Sitting on the airplane on the tarmac for 2 ½ hours before we find there are engine problems and all 315 of us will need to redefine our plans and leave the next day instead. Oh well, modern speedy/wait in line life. Arriving in Milan, driving up into the Italian Alps to the Lago Maggiore and our first work in Ascona, Switzerland, just over the border.
Wow, the students, Wow, the nature, Wow, the music. It will be really something to top this experience which is so high and intensive. Our host and fellow improviser extraordinaire, Oskar Boldre, has brought together 60 students who work with the three of us, Joey, David and Rhiannon: gospel, mouth rhythms, improvisation and Voicestra-style circle singing. We work all together and in small groups which allows intimacy and helps our newly formed village music life to evolve and unfurl in these few days together.
We teach and perform in the Teatro dellGatto just off the lake. It becomes our home for these 4 days. Martin is the bright light of the theater staff, making everything wonderful for us. He takes us for exploring trips to other small villages nearby to see the old architecture, have wonderful local food and walk in the forest of this Alpine area. There is a sweet café next door run by Katia and Michele where we have coffee and prosecco during breaks in training. We all work hard and take deep steps into the music.
No way to describe how each student touches me. Some of them I knew from last year, and there are many new faces as well. We find ways to speak about the philosophy and practice of improvisation across language. Here they speak Italian, German, French, old Swiss and English. During our last improvisation session, I am so moved by the 3 Face Front exercise, actually 4 Face Front in this case, that I can barely give feedback. I sense that we are making positive change in the world as we sing and invent together.
I am so grateful to be here with Joey and David because the skills and passion they bring, make a whole picture with the work I am doing. I love singing with them in our concert on the first evening where we lead and follow one another through a music maze that comes of all these years together, but also I love to step into their classes and see the way they infuse the group with knowledge and love. After knowing one another for 25 years and talking about this idea for so long, we are finally doing it and it is working! Blessings on long friendship and the endurance to find the fruition of a beautiful idea.
Janne, my partner, is here as well, taking photos and shooting video so we can document classes and performance. How great to have her here to share her talents.
I feel the danger of trying to say all, remember all names, not exclude anyone, but it is impossible. I will just try to use stream of consciousness and let the images roll. The photos will tell much as well. We plan for future gatherings in Europe and each of us say how changed we are by this work together. I think about my gratitude to Bobby McFerrin who brought Voicestra together and introduced Joey, David and I to one another. He is in Italy just now on another gig, but there is no chance to meet. I’m feeling you Bobby!
We change Swiss Francs for Euros and head off to Italy for a few days of rest and integration.

Here we are in Gubbio in the Umbria countryside. This medieval town is magic rest for us. We got here by train, bus and Mercedes. Let me explain. We are carrying cds for the whole trip and audio gear so bags are heavy and we wonder how it will be to catch the right at the right time moving from track to track. First we see several students at the train station and are waved off as we leave in that great European way. Then Lorenzo is on our train and offers to help with bags at each change, wonderful 17 year old Lorenzo who shines like a beacon of light. In Florence we are waiting to understand which track our next train will leave from when another student from the workshop, Linda, calls my name out in the crowded station. Amazing to hear my name like that. She appears like an angel and gets us onboard. In Perugia she guides us to a taxi and talks him into getting us quickly to the bus station which is in the Centro during traffic. We arrive just in time to find the next bus leaves in 2 minutes. She orchestrates in Italian and poof we are onboard with our heavy bags safely stowed under. Hurtling up and down windy, narrow roads in late afternoon light across this amazing landscape of farms, vineyards and olive orchards. We arrive in Gubbio with no way to tote our heavy bags through the cobblestone streets to our house. Poof appears a lovely Italian lawyer from NYC here to visit his father. He sweeps us into his rented Mercedes and we find the house in amongst the ancient streets with hidden names. Off he goes into the night with a traveler’s promise to meet us again the next day at a favorite restaurant of his. We go there the next day and don’t find him, but they know him and treat us royally. Who knows what all happens to traveler promises, but the restaurant is a mighty gift, and I thank him in absentia. Lunch there is just wonderful for all the senses. Janne photographs each course and we eat every bite.
Now it is evening. Blog you more later.
Rhiannon for We Be 3

Thursday, April 12, 2007

We Be 3 in Europe--2007

We Be 3 is Rhiannon, Joey Blake and David Worm, a vocal improvisation trio touring Europe in April and May of 2007. We will be posting photographs and journal entries to keep you up to date with our adventures on this long awaited tour. Janne Watson will be there as well shooting photos and videos.
We will be in Ascona, Switzerland; Munich and
Mannheim, Germany; Tilburg, Rotterdam and Amsterdam, Holland. We are teaching workshops on a variety of subjects related to improvisation and doing 7 concerts along the way. We will have local guest artists on several concerts.
Hope you will check in with us.
In the adventure and connection of it all,
Rhiannon