Hey guys!
Okay, first of all, to drumaddix, John (JoesMechanic) and Zak, I'm TOTALLY sorry I didn't get a chance to hang with you guys! I spent a good HOUR stuck on a damn broken-down Ferry between Alameda and Oakland on Saturday afternoon, so I was a little fried and ended up having to go back to the hotel to decompress a bit before the show. I looked around for anyone I could recognize after the show, but after the "incident" I just decided to head back to the hotel. I REALLY would've liked to hook up with you guys, though. It's always nice to find some kindred spirits!
Now, on to my Vinnie Experience!! As many of you may know, I was there for ALL FOUR nights, for the second set each night. The early part of Saturday's performance was a great indication of the rest of the weekend. All 5 guys had an INCREDIBLE time onstage and were all very very happy to have been involved with the project.
I actually hung out after the show Friday night to try to at least shake Vinnie's hand and tell him how much I appreciated his influence. He was talking to some other folks when I approached, so I just kinda hung back and waited my turn. When he was finished with the people he was talking to, the club had pretty much cleared out and a few of the other guys had already headed back to the hotel and bid farewell to Vinnie for the evening. Rather than saying hi and edging toward the Green Room, Vinnie (who was standing onstage at this time) actually walked over and SAT DOWN on the edge of the stage and proceeded to engage me in a coversation not unlike that of a couple of old friends.
Over the course of that evening and next few nights, I spoke with Vinnie a few times and he remembered my name every time I saw him after Friday night and actually missed me on Saturday when I didn't hang around to chat with him after the show. (I figured I'd give him some space, since he had a fairly rough end of the evening.)
All of the times I talked to him over the weekend, I found him to be incredibly gracious, personable, and genuine. Several times during our conversations, I gave him his window out in case he was looking for one ("...I'm sorry, Vinne, I won't take any more of your time, you probably want to take off...") and each time he dismissed it and continued to chat with me as if there was nowhere else he'd rather be.
It's often risky to meet your biggest influence, or someone you know only by their art, since your view of them can be terrifically skewed by an in-person meeting. My conversations with Vinnie, however, left me with an even higher opinion of Vinnie the man, and the shows left me with a similarly increased view of Vinnie the musician. The way he and the other guys onstage interacted was mind-boggling, especially considering their limited amount of time for preperation, and each set was organic and ever-changing, and never static.
I shall do my best to post a few of the pics I managed to snap (I cleared it with Bill Evans beforehand, and STILL got some static from the bouncer!!). Again, sorry I didn't get a chance to chat with any of my fellow HOD'ers when I was out, but judging by this experience, I might have to do it again someday soon!!
Pete
P.S. I won't divulge my entire conversation(s) with Vinnie, as I felt he was being open and candid with me and I'd hate to break any confidence I was afforded with him, but I CAN offer a little nugget for everyone: He was flying to Chicago TODAY to record a PBS special with George Duke, Marcus Miller, and Lee Ritenour!! Keep an eye on those TV listings!!
