Jazzing Up A New Year's Resolution

Yes, that’s me last week, wearing my good luck scarf in the lobby at “The Nutcracker”, in San Jose. I'm on the right, and it looks like I’ll need plenty of luck. It's another photo taken on my iPhone. Thank you, Bunch.

For good luck, wedding planners often have the bride wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”, and that’s my theme today. I’ve been considering New Year’s Resolutions, and decided they have to be upbeat this year. Same with you? Anyway, today I settled on four gems, each inspired by something I read or heard last Sunday morning.

First, something OLD. How often do we hear the expression “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”? It first appeared in a 1905 book by philosopher George Santayana, and Ben Stein mentioned it in his recent column about why people continue to fall for “you-can’t-fail-to-get-rich” schemes, despite all we’ve learned about them.

Stein is a practical, sensible fellow, and he uses finances here as a springboard to talk about old, tried-and-true notions of what REALLY counts. Things your mother taught you. Hint: it’s not about money in the bank -- that stuff comes and goes. It’s what kind of person you truly are. How you treat family, friends, and strangers, and support your community and nation.

I like his message, and I’d add it’s also how you prepare for the future. So for my first resolution, I’m riffing on a theme from “random acts of kindness”. I resolve to smile at the first driver who cuts me off every morning. Wouldn’t it be nice if each of us added a little more good cheer every day?

This resolution is nothing new, but it’ll be a start. In my next blog I'll reveal another resolution: something BLUE. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy a wonderful New Year’s Eve celebration. I resolve to enjoy mine. I’ll be jazzing up a private party for several hundred people in Palo Alto. In the works since last September, the party’s theme is “Fascinatin’ Rhythm”, and the place will be SWINGIN’!

By the way, will you be celebrating a significant event soon? Throw a party and include us. Today I'm talking with people planning parties for Valentine's Day and Easter. If you'll have a party on one of these days, or on any day in between, now's a good time to plan the details, including the music. Have a question? We'll have the answer.

Call us at 408-245-9120. You'll love what we do. We're easy to work with, so let our experience help your celebration. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details, and I hope to see you soon.

Please leave me a comment. What do you think about all this? I'd love your opinions and comments.

Holiday Parties in January?

December 5, 2008.

Here we are last night, at our regular “first Thursday in December” gig -- the annual Yale Alumni Holiday Party. Left to right: Gary Milliken, Steve Apple, and Andy Norblin. I’m taking the photo with my iPhone. (You're right -- I need a real camera, with a flash. Any recommendations?)

Recognize the room? It’s the famous “Alexandra’s Room”, on the 32nd floor of the Westin St Francis, in San Francisco. What a place -- floor-to-ceiling windows cover every wall! Whenever I’m there I’m stunned by the fabulous panoramic views of San Francisco. Second photo is a closer look at those windows, and third is a shot, facing east and showing Post St on the left, Union Square in the middle, and Geary St on the right.

Yesterday was another festive night at one of San Francisco’s busiest hotels. Sure, December is a bit slower than in previous years. This glum observation is shared by most of the event professionals I know -- caterers, facilities, photographers, decorators, florists, and other entertainers. However, many of them tell me that next month is looking better than usual. Understandable, since traditionally for most of us January rates are lower and availability is higher, so it appears to me that this year’s “holiday season” might be spilling into early 2009 in a big way. Are you finding that, too?

Bottom line: I expect lots of holiday parties will fill January -- scaled down, perhaps, but still cheerful get-togethers to celebrate this special time of the year. In fact, starting at 1:30pm on December 31, we’re booked for four different New Year’s Eve celebrations, ending with a festive, elegant dinner party at the Toll House Hotel, in Los Gatos. Looking for a wonderful New Year’s Eve? Join us, and enjoy a memorable dinner, accompanied by the trio playing your favorite popular standards and jazz classics. We’ve all been waiting for 2009, and this will be a great way to end the old year and begin a bright new one.

Ooops, full disclosure time. Actually, the trio at the Toll House will be three of my best associates, men I often work with, but I can’t be there myself. Instead, I’ll be at an engagement on the books since last September, leading the sextet at a private party in Palo Alto.

So how about you? Still have one more party to plan? Consider scheduling it for January. You’ll have lots of options, and you’ll avoid the end-of-the-year frenzy while you’re dealing with other priorities right now. Today I'm talking with people planning parties for New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day. If you'll have a party on one of these days, or on any day in between, now's a good time to plan the details, including the music. Have a question? We’ll have the answer.

Call us at 408-245-9120. You'll love what we do. We're easy to work with, so let our experience help your celebration. We entertain at private parties nearly every day, and you can preview us on New Year’s Eve. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details on this event and more, and I hope to see you soon.

Please leave me a comment. What do you think about all this? I’d love your opinions and comments.