Michele Mele - Blog

Do you ever feel like you are isolated in the muck of the need to change, but being held back by your own fear and choices which limit your growth? I know I do.

I feel great, and I am learning… Run my own race, let the material speak for itself, allow myself to really be heard, and march forth into this territory of trust.

Any comments? I’m looking forward to hearing about your thoughts, feelings and experiences… and seeing you at the show

The New York Experience is something that is an encyclopedia unto itself. The “NYE” for me, this weekend, can be described as wondrously surreal and really wonderful.

After arriving Thursday afternoon and making my usual visits to the Maison du Chocolate, Saks, and saying hello to the Park, I went back to the apartment and had some quiet time until my interview on the Joey Reynolds Show. I was scheduled to go on at 12:00 am but they slotted me in at 1:00, so that I would receive national exposure rather than local. Wasn’ t that nice??

George and Myra, the producers of the show, are darling! While in the green room, which is really another series of offices by day, the other guests of the show and staff enjoyed some food, beverages and chatting. I met THE AMAZING KRESKIN!!!! We always watched that show back in the ’70s. He really is amazing and kind, not to mention brilliant!! I also met Chris Rush, the comedian who is also brilliant!! I heard him complain about the hard mozzarella in the fridge and knew immediately that we would be friends!! Finally got home by 2:30 am…

Friday morning walked up to the Upper West Side to get some of the best scones at 73rd and Columbus, then groceries for the after party that night. Husband and friends arrived after a nice warm-up on the deck in the sunshine. I was feeling good!

Relaxing afternoon before show… last minute phone calls… clothing consultations with friends… I’m a firm believer in always wearing panty hose on stage!!!

Showtime!!!! The soundcheck went well and the guys were all happy and in good spirits… they were even willing to do the group hug!!! Yippee!! AS A RESULT… the show went really well. People laughed in all the right places…phew!!! The gift to me was my last song…I didn’t have to think. It just came. We were all in the zone - one of those moments.

Yes, of all places and times in the world the universe gave us one of those moments. One of those moments: all love, all good… no more to say.

So, here’s the first contest on my blog… the first 20 people to leave a comment on this post before 5 PM will be comped for the ticket charge at tonight’s show at Iridium!

Well, OK, if you’re number 21 you’ll get comped too… (hahaha)

Just leave a reply below (or click ‘comments’) to request a comp… we’ll send you an email to let you know that you’re in…

Iridium Jazz Club is at 1650 Broadway (at 51st), 212.582.2121
7PM show (doors open at 6:30)

Yes, I have become one of those ladies who likes to shop at Saks.

There…I said it!!

Rejoice, all my shopping friends, I have crossed over! You have exposed me to a new world and I embrace it. I enjoy it. I DO actually like walking into that busy first floor and being accosted by the latest scent, lotion, eyeline, mascara and coverup! I like making a beeline to the EXPRESS elevator to the 8th floor.

SHOES…My head is in my hands now…I’m going back into denial. Where is my sponsor?? Girls!!! (And guys who know what I’m talking about.) Remind me that I loved those buckles and straps. The stilletto heels and bright red platforms…I’m trying to pretend I couldn’t wait to try on every pair of fairy shoes with rhinestone bows (price does not even get mentioned here, it’s so outrageous!)

It feels good to be out of the closet!! Not to mention the Hot Chocolate in the peaceful little chocolate cafe just behind the elevators!

Leaving today for NYC, the checklist is enormous even though I had everything in place and taken care of!! How does this happen???

Little notes and piles all over the house about things not to forget… chords, chargers, books, CDs, chocolates, and of course, shoes and clothes.

Not to mention food and arrangements for the kids…who are not really kids anymore but still need some kind of structure and rules! Food for the pre-prom party, rides to rehearsals on Sunday, food for all meals (unless you want to eat at Grannie’s, which is always the most appealing option!)

Secure gig rentals for Saturday, upload TV mixes to my laptop etc. etc.

I was actually getting nervous about not being nervous so I guess the big picture is ALL GOOD!!

I’ve always loved NY.

The first time I was here was 25 years ago on a professional development weekend. One music teacher, one art teacher, a business teacher, and, I think, a French teacher. Add the Waldorf Astoria, 2 days of Museums, and lovely dinners and stir. Some of the stories are not appropriate for public consumption!!

Since then I have never fallen out of love with NY and I finally figured out why, only a few months ago. Everyone in New York is there because they want something better. They want to move forward, they want more, they want PASSION. From the most recent immigrant to the established business professional, from the struggling server/actress to the most successful musician, New York holds the key to self-fulfillment.

I think it’s because of the variety of people, the variety of businesses, still, and the huge respect and reverence for the arts.

As a Toronto girl, another city that I know and will always love, playing in New York means stepping out of a comfortable circle and into a magical realm. Everything feels possible - probably because everything IS possible here!

I welcome this opportunity to play at Iridium and I really feel confident that it is a spring into the universe of possibilities.

So, for the Library gig I need a little P.A.

Flying in, I don’t want to bring my wireless mic and clumsy amp, so I’m trying to think of a way to get a system up to the 179th Street Branch. They have no audio equipment, and I’ll be singing to tracks because of the same issue of trying to get a musician and their instrument way up there!!

The family workshop will be fun and wonderful but the logistics need to be worked out. Angst is rising but panic is not ensuing…yet!

I’ll need a little digital CD player… my computer, 1 or 2 speakers, and an amp/mixer with a bit of reverb and a mic and I’ll probably have to set it all up myself as there doesn’t seem to be a “sound man!!”

So much for playing the Diva game!!!

Hopefully all of that will fit in a cab, since I don’t have a dolly to bring it on the subway, and besides, it’s difficult to move heavy equipment in heels! I know local guys must deal with this all the time, but it feels a bit different as a “foreigner!”

The truth is, it’s all nothing compared to how much I love doing what I do!! It just doesn’t matter! (hahahahah)

Well, today is still very charged with some kind of positive powerful energy.

The chain reaction thing is amazing. One thing leads to another…remember that song by…who was it?? I can’t remember. Anyway, the focus of the Iridium gig has created a need for networking and positive action from my end. Consequently, I have had to create some other gigs locally, and they in turn have motivated me to get my new show going. Resurrecting some tunes written a few years ago has motivated me to write more new material, and that has made me feel great!! (Hahaha!)

Publicity for the gig has created a need to reconnect with contacts that I had lost touch with, or who had come into my life for some unknown reason… Mamapalooza, for example, is an organization that I was introduced to by my wonderful friend, singer/songwriter/performer Debbie Fleming.

Today I realized why I had to connect with them. I had done 3 free gigs with their Mother’s Day events here in Toronto, and really enjoyed them each time. I didn’t know why I was doing it, besides my usual love, joy, excitement, peace always found in music!! It was my musicians and it was always out of pocket, but I did them anyway.

My “team” Steve and Robbie asked me to think of any contacts or organizations to get in touch with who are in New York who would like to come out to the show. Mamapalooza is perfect!!! They are based in New York, they are all for mothers, and all the performers are mothers. They understand multi-tasking and getting dinner on the table before heading out to a gig!

Suddenly something small and tiny and seemingly insignificant, falling into place, has so much energy to it, it makes me laugh! (Hahaha!)

The issue of trust has been coming up a lot over the past few months…

 It shows itself in various arenas: kids, spouses/partners, employees, vendors and, of course, since I’m writing this sitting beside the piano, music.

 I find trust one of the most important elements in the presentation of a musical experience. Trust among the players, trust that the audience is there to enjoy themselves, and trust in yourself, that you have done the work and it will all be OK.

 My daughter was singing in a local competition recently, and we were rehearsing together. She has the sweetest voice I have ever heard (of course!!) and sings perfectly in tune with a phenomenal sense of rhythm. She was feeling like she was out of tune and wasn’t sure if it was good enough. Well, the truth is, it wasn’t great, but the reason was, she was not letting go. If even one note is to be received as true and pure, then there must not be any of the Self attached to it. One has to totally let go and stop thinking. The only way to stop thinking/worrying/forcing/over-functioning, is to trust in oneself.

 Have fun. Enjoy the moment, and be one with the music, and in turn all the people around you, and in turn, the universe.

I know it sounds “blah blah blah”… but TRUST ME (hahaha) I also know it’s true.

 Mailing out the charts for the show, the first time was like parting with a baby. It was really quite an experience. I had copied the parts and made a second set of books. I felt like I was sending off my treasures to an unknown destination never to be seen again… or worse, to be scrutinized and criticized by heavy unsympathetic musicians who wouldn’t be able to follow all the markings and think the music was… you know… the “s ” word!!!

 Well, I was immensely relieved when they let me know that they had received the packages with a CD and the music and had already listened and were looking forward to doing the gig!!!

 All I have to say is I LOVE NEW YORK MUSICIANS!!!!!!!

 This time, I didn’t think twice about sending out the books and am looking forward to working with my wonderful darling colleagues again!!! Imagine that! I just can’t wait and think it will really be a lot of fun!! And now that “my team” is in place I have no worries!!! (hahahaha)

 That will all change next week!!!!