A day off!!!

We were given a surprise day off today, which means I get to practice on my own and focus as much as I'd like to on areas needing improvement. We were so busy at rehearsal I didn't have much time for pictures. I'll try again tommorrow. ¶ 3:30 PM

Rehearsal review Rehearsal review Rehearsal review Rehearsal Review

We had another great rehearsal Tuesday. Yanni took some extra time to help us tighten up a couple of songs and made a minor modification to a song that will help my hammer dulcimer solo stand out. I appreciate the way he weaves together his arrangements, utilizing the unique colors available in this one-of-a-kind band. Everyone blends, yet everyone gets a chance to shine.

One week from today I'll be driving home to see my family! One month from today we'll be opening the tour at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

I'm going to try and snap a few pictures today and post them here Friday. Don't forget to send me a quick email just so I'll know who's reading this page. My email address is dan@danlandrum.com. Please let me know if your browser has any issues viewing my site - Thanks, Dan. ¶ 3:31 PM

Yanni and the band

Rehearsals in Florida are nearing their end and I am looking forward to spending a week with my family in Tennessee. After that, we all head west for final preparations for the tour.

As of yesterday's rehearsal, we are now up and running on every song in the show. The energy and beauty of Yanni's selections for this tour are equally amazing. Top it off with a unique and incredible band and it is easy to see why his shows are packed around the world.

The band members that I've gotten to know include:

Charlie Adams - What an unbelievable drummer. I'm often left speechless after spending a few minutes watching Charlie practice. He's made a life long study of Buddy Rich, and it shows. He's also taken time acclimating me to rehearsal life and preparing me for life on the road. Check out his web site and tour journal by clicking on his name.

Ric Fierabracci - Rock solid bass work, incredibly tasteful and always ready to help. Without Ric's assistance I would probably still be lost trying to find my place in the music. His hand written charts made the difference. Thanks Ric.

Pedro Eustache - In his music you hear his expression of love for his Creator. He is sincere, intense and always ready to help. I am already blessed by having met Pedro.

Ming Freeman - I've been positioned right next to Ming's keyboard station during rehearsals and get to watch him do his solo work. Yanni was trying to desribe something he really liked from one of Mings solos a couple of days ago and referred to it as "that section where it feels like the wind is blowing." You get the picture. He's an awesome musician.

Seated immediately to my left in rehearsals has been Alfreda Gerald - when she cuts loose it's instant goose bumps, she is also funny and always happy. Seated immediately to Alfreda's left is Michelle Amato - her voice is pure and clear and beautiful. The combination of these two singers and styles is brilliant.

The violin section consists of the incomparible soloist Karen Briggs, and two virtuosic Armenian players, Armen Movsessian and Samuel Yervinyan.

Victor Espinola is another new addition to Yanni's band. He's a Paraguayan harp player and if you are unfamiliar with this style of playing be preprared to be blown away. It sounds as if his harp is going to take flight - and sometimes it does. Come to the show and you'll see what I mean.

There are many other people to mention like the incredible keyboardist, who's latest CD I highly recommend, Bradley Joseph, the always smiling and energetic percussionist from Stomp, Walter Rodriguez and the newest addition - Ramon Flores who plays the silkiest trumpet lines I've ever heard.

I'll stop for now but there's more to come. Now that I'm getting a handle on the music I intend to start posting regularly again so come back, and please, drop me a short email so I'll know who is viewing the site. I'll never give out your email address. My address is dan@danlandrum.com

bye for now . . . ¶ 3:33 PM