Steve Rude's Nexus The Coming of Gourmando posters and custom coin.

I got these two signed mini-posters (11" x 17") and custom metal coin yesterday from a Steve Rude Kickstarter campaign I supported. The main book is still to come due to printing and shipping problems.

I really like the coin. I hope he does more of his characters in custom coins.

Sunday Music Muse Day Jeff Campbell, Allan Holdsworth

This Sunday Music Muse Day found me hustling to mow my lawn before it rains, under threatening dark overcast clouds.  When the that's done I will enjoy Jeff Campbell West End Avenue. The is trio session with Campbell on bass, John Hollenbeck on drum and percussions, and John Wojciechowski on tenor saxophone and clarinet. Jeff in a local musician who I've see perform with Trio East, with drummer Rich Thompson and trumpeter Clay Jenkins.  Like his Trio East bandmate, Thompson, Jeff is also an instructor at the Eastman School of music. This is a very fine CD, starting with title track, which Trio East plays in concert.  Another standout is a rendering of Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, written by legendary bassist Charles Mingus. I'll assume this is a might be a nod to a personal inspiration. 

Next selection is Allan Holdsworth Leverkusen '97 a live set in a German jazz festival. The late fusion guitar well known for is blistering playing, and that is definitely on the display here, but there's a certain mellowness in his used of guitar effects (maybe guitar synthesizer).  This package comes with DVD of the performance, which I haven't watched yet. It something to look forward to.

So far, the rain has held off, but I'll still enjoy the tunes.  

Netflix Yasuke, Been there, done that...sort of.

I'm looking forward Netflix's Yasuke, but I'm thinking been there, done that...sort of. Just kidding, just another Dime-A-Dozen idea the fell by the wayside.

Here are more images of my artworks inspired by Japanese Samurai art. The winged demon warrior is a Helgon, an original character to be featured in a YA (Young Adult) fantasy story called "Emperor of the Sky", now Dime-A-Dozen project.

Who, there still maybe time to revisit these character so how.

Thundercats Tuesday - The Lost Joaquim Dos Santos Thundercat Concept Art

With the new rumors of the director of new Godzilla vs, King Kong movie wanting to do a Thundercats movie, attention is focus on the official TV versions, the original Rankin.Bass series I worked, the Warner Bros update and the last (and least successful) one Thundercats Oh!.  One humorous item about Warner Bros and the T'Cats, related to me by a former Rankin/Bass producer. When WB first thought of acquiring the rights they cold called Rankin/Bass, and my producer friend had to tell them they already owned it, as part of buying Lorimar/Telepictures. WB just had no idea they own it for years. D'OH! Also, when I was working at Warner Bros. on Ozzy & Drix (2003-2004), as a storyboard director (Daytime Emmy Award nominated), I met Joaquim Dos Santos who was working on the Justice League animated series. He was big Thundercats fan and make a presentation package of great redesigns of the T'Cats for a new update. WB passed on his version. He should get credit for this effort. I was able to give him an original Thundercats animation cel and he give me a copy of this copy of his concept art.

Dos Santos went on to be an Annie and Emmy Award winning producer/director of Avatar: the Last Airbender (2005and The Legend of Korra (2012), and other shows. When we were finishing Ozzy & Drix, I was part of a meeting about exploring a doing a Thundercat's series with my producer Ron Myrick and DC comic writer Mark Waid. Again, nothing came of that meeting. One last item, when DC.Windstorm did the Thundercat comic, the first issue included my Shadowmaster character and several props I designed for the original show. It was fun to see that. I hold out hope that if they do a movie. Shadowmaster will be make a appearance. I keepin my finger crossed on that.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Paul Bley, Bill Brufold

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds me featuring two CD coming from different direction the jazz spectrum.  First up, Paul Bley, with Gary Peacock and Paul Motian Not Two, Not One. Pianist Paul Bley (November 10, 1932 - January 3, 2016) was well known as part of the Free Jazz movement of the 1960s.  This ECM 1999 release was reunion of the classic Paul Bley Trio, with Peacock on bass and Motian on drum. At the time, they hadn't performed as a trio in 35 years. On line reviews give this a 4 star.  It's a introspective but adventurous, and engaging session.

My second selection is Bill Bruford's EarthWorks A Part, and Yet Apart. Drummer Bill Bruford maybe best remembered as a member of progressive rock groups like Yes (a founding member), King Crimson, and his own group Bruford. He formed this jazz group Earthworks in 1986.  In 2009 Bruford retired from public performances, but operates two record labels.  Bruford playing does show his swinging jazz drumming on this CD.  It a nice sample from his varied career.

On a side note, one of my favorite CD is the Bill Bruford with Ralph Tower and Eddie Gomez, If Summer had its Ghost.  Well worth checking out.

There enough good music to get you through a fine spring day. Enjoy.

Thundercats Tuesday - Promo 4x5 Transparencies

For Thundercats Tuesday. Here are some 4x5 transparencies from the T'Cats. Back in ancient pre-digital days companies would supples these to media companies, toy promo department, etc. to use in printing. They may end up on eBay.