(12/28/06) Well, since I decided to go on this tour, so many things have happened so fast that my head is spinning! What tour, you ask? A couple of weeks after I performed with Steve March Torme at Quinnipiac University on Oct. 4, 2006, I got a call from Columbia Artists Management (CAMI) saying that Mr. Torme (the son of the late singer Mel Torme) wanted me to join him on a 2-month cross-country tour with a 10-piece band. At first I said "no, thanks" but after a sleepless night and consults with my friend Pam, I though better of it and called back the next morning to tell them I was interested, I sure was. The chance to see the entire country (well, almost) and especially the southern part in the dead of winter, to perform in many of the nation's top theatrical venues, with a band of extremely talented musicians, and above all to perform the music of not only Steve March Torme -- an incredible singer in his own right -- but also the arrangements written by Marty Paitch for Steve's dad, Mel -- the Velvet Fog. Well, all this was too much to say no to! However, the biggest problem has been, well, how to put my life here in New Haven on hold for 2 months!? I've had to arrange for: substitute teachers for FIVE classes; home care for my cat; end/beginning of year finances. The last time I was on tour for for any length of time would have been the early 90's (with the Swing All-Stars -- Pizzarelli, Hamilton, Vache, Bunch and Hanna -- in Europe). This time around I have had to: buy a new bass case, a laptop computer, figure out how to transport my amplifier, cover all my gigs here in CT with substitutes (hoping the gigs would still be there when i return!); and... gosh! Many other minor details! So here I am, nearly ready to depart on this adventure, next Tuesday at 4 am: drive to airport for 6:30 am flight, with bass, amp, suitcase and carry-on in tow. I certainly hope everything goes, um... well.