Bryan Vargas

We have been at many of the same shows. This was a special one. Great pic!

OH HELLS YES

YouTube video by NPR Music 31 Minutos: Tiny Desk Concert

Ok, I have to say, this was brand new to me, I had never heard of this show. But this was AMAZING. Holy crap this is great. Super hip music & puppets at Tiny Desk. An excellent use of 21 minutos of your time, is to watch this Tuny Desk by 31 Minutos. Very highly recommended

YouTube video by BBC Music Robert Plant with Saving Grace - Higher Rock (Later... with Jools Holland)

Bonus track

youtu.be/hsj--euwpRg?...

Superb performance by Robert Plant & crew. I love the combination here of Tony Kelsey's baritone guitar with Matt Worley on Cuatro Puertorriqueño. Looking forward to seeing this band next month

That was such a special show, such a great night

YouTube video by Saturday Night Live El Chavo Del Ocho (English Version) - SNL

Ok the El Chavo del Ocho SNL skit, while imperfect, was goddamn AMAZING. Such a universal part of the Latino cultural experience represented on a mainstream American program, only a few decades late. And Benito as Quico? Wow.

Great musicians, great people

That’s just it. Some people are just so desperate they spam everyone. It’s a shame because I’m sure some of them are very talented people who feel pressured to do this. We need a better way to honor and respect our musical community

I get them across the board. They reek of desperation. The folks who are cool, are cool, so it’s no big issue. Drives me nuts

And you too

An FYI about FYCs - they make me hate you. Unless we have a relationship beforehand, please please please DO NOT send me those. I will never vote for you. Gracias

YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live Living Colour – Cult of Personality

Living Colour TEARING IT UP at BAM on Jimmy Kimmel Live
@livingcolour.com @jimmykimmel.com @bambrooklyn.bsky.social @vurnt22.bsky.social @coreyglover.bsky.social @dougwimbish.bsky.social @willcalhoun.bsky.social

Paladino is a NIGHTMARE, I just donated to Ben Chou and you should too. www.benchou4ny.com

One Battle After Another was just excellent. Chase Infiniti had better get an Oscar nom, but the whole cast was in top form. Also contains an imp Gil Scott Heron reference that brought me much much joy. Highly recommended

I often refered to her as "the greatest among us," with us being all of humanity. I am beyond sad at this news. I cannot imagine this world without Jane Goodall in it. Thank you for inspiring me, and all of us, so much. I hope she knew she was loved

THIS. En punto.

Wow - there is a LOT to unpack here. But still great info. Will pass along what I can to my students

YouTube video by NPR Music Adrian Quesada: Tiny Desk Concert

Great Tiny Desk from buddy Adrian Quesada feat. super buddy Mireya Ramos

Hopefully the Scott Joplins & other composers received better royalty rates than Spotify, but since we're talking about American capitalism, perhaps a safe assumption that they did not?

When I cover player pianos in my classes, I introduce them as a kind of Steam Punk robot of sorts. Which to me makes them way cooler than AI ever could be, and yet also a clear parallel of the apocalyptic times we're living in

Fuck - I've got Godot tickets on the 21st! Hoping this gets resolved before then. Bway actors (who aren't major celebs) don't make nearly as much as you think they do, and deserve to be paid a fair wage & benefits for their efforts! GO UNION!

I am NOT angry at this! I can’t wait to see what Benito brings to that event. #quevivapuertoricolibre 🇵🇷

Eric Adams Abandons Re-election Bid for Mayor of New York City

Eric Adams, a complete piece of garbage from day one. The WORST Democrat Mayor of NYC in my lifetime (& that says a lot!), rotten & corrupt to the core. Don't let the door hit you on your corrupt ass on the way out. You will NOT be missed. At all.

YouTube video by Vanguard Jazz Orchestra - Topic Up from the Skies

One more, because how could I not post Jim McNeely arranging Jimi Hendrix. After all, music is infinite, universal, and truly great. And this is proof. We will miss you Jim. (4 of 4)

YouTube video by Jim McNeely - Topic Extra Credit

This was probably my favorite arrangement of Jim's that I actually got to play once or twice. That intro will always be an inspiration to me. Also Jim's solo on this recording is just superb. And Dennis Irwin on bass, another musician we all miss so much (3 of 4)

YouTube video by Release - Topic Do You Really Think... ?

This album was a major inspiration to me. Not only is Jim's writing just absolutely brilliant, but hearing Sco play in a "modern" context within a Big Band format was a revelation to me as a young musician. Check out Jim's gorgeous playing in the outro (2 of 4)

Jim McNeely was artist in residence during my time at NYU. He was a teacher, a mentor, & a friend to many of us. His brilliance was a constant inspiration to me both as a player & composer. I hadn't seen him in a very long time, but I will miss him nonetheless. Rest in peace Jim. (1 of 4)

Que viva Colombia

There’s an easier solution: STOP. USING. SPOTIFY.