Novak Report

Hey Steve
Did you make the Novak gig at the Potato Monday? If so, a little feedback...

Sure thing.

I caught the second set only. It was a trio, Brandon on sax, Novak, and Dave Carpenter. The music as a whole was great. Brandon really plays from the heart (and his gut too I would say) and he is a joy to watch.
Novak played well, he had some nice sounding cymbals. Can't say the same for his DW's though. Gary's phrasing is very different from most of the guys I listen to because it tends to be single stroke oriented. It's very effective and he's got great dynamic control.

We hung out quite a bit after the show. I told him about me having his domain name and if he ever wants it I would gladly sell it to him for the price I paid (Like $24 or something). Turns out we both have a mutual interest in a a Compter Game so we talked about that as well. He's a very cool guy.
They're back on the 11th but he's also there TONIGHT (Friday the 4th) with Jeff Richman.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 04, 2003 02:21 PM: Message edited by: Steve Holmes ]</font>

MAN - i gotta get out to LA...[Novak, Heredia, Karizma, Holdsworth, Donati, et al the musicians that they play w/]...
...on another topic [& speaking of similarities in playg style to GN]...has VC relocated to Nashv [or is he still in LA], or does he just have the studios/artist fly him out [img]wink.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 04, 2003 05:33 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

I was also at the show was finally able to meet Steve. The first set was incredible. This was the first gig for these guys together, but it sounded like they'd be playing together for years. The ability to listen and play off each other is what makes great jazz a real art form, and these guys artists.

Gary's drums sounded really choked, but his cymbals were warm and smooth. But I liked the 16" kick he was using! I never would have guessed a 16" kick would have so much impact!

What was incredible was the fact that Gary actually tore down and packed up his own kit!

Vinnie lives in Van Nuys and flys to wherever the session is. Gary is a very down to earth cat, he recently did a clinic in Phoenix and drove himself out with a friend and brought his own drums, I thought his kit sounded killer at the clinic. A brownish fade Dw kit.
I am not a big DW fan myself but his sounded good. I know some others that went to the first show at the spud and actually got to hang during the soundcheck/rehearsal.