I remember the first time I ever touched a bass guitar was my second year in college. A friend, Ana, asked me to play in her band for a youth outreach program. I’d only been playing guitar for a year so I thought I knew everything. I am sure we were horrible – the blisters on my fingers certainly were.

15 years later, I’ve again been asked to play bass. This time for the “Johny Casino Band.” We play lots of blues covers but on this particular night we played a few jazz numbers with our friend Millie singing. Most of the pictures taken during the jazz set show me hunched over the chord charts trying to keep up with all the quick changes. Thanks to the band for being supportive and patient with me. Jeanette, thanks for showing up and pretending not to hate it.

Client E. (aka Eddie Alzamora) wrote some good music reviews for a small publication in Shanghai a few years ago. At the time, we both thought that we had ears for good music. He has since moved to Portand where he gets to use those good ears to hear a lot of great music. On the other hand, I’m in Bucharest — turn on the radio and you’ll hear either Robbie Williams or Pet Shop Boys. Which is worse?

Over the summer, I had the exciting opportunity to spend a few days in professional recording studio: Grass Shack Records, operated by the wonderful Richard Harrison. His modest studio is just minutes from the beach (near Kona, Hawaii). My father got to know Richard a little while back and has started doing regular “sessions” with the artists who are in the studio.

Over the last month or so, I’ve been doing a lot of jamming on guitar. I’m no real soloist, but it is fun to experiment. . . Listen and download them here!

My father has recorded a new CD of instrumentals. I was honored to assist with the CD cover design. All pieces performed and recorded in Kona, Hawaii by Stephen Cline

I’ve been doing a lot of music lately. Recording mostly, but also a little old-fashioned live music. Here’s a picture Jeanette took of me playing open-mic at the Art Bar, Frankfurt Germany. . .