That's great. Always good to get a change of scenery and pace. Are you still in FL?

I read your recollections of the 77 shows and really enjoyed them. very vividly detailed to the point where I almost felt like I was there! As much as I don't prefer the 77 era shows as far as repeated listening, I know it was a mind blowing experience to feel that energy and see them live. It's mainly because of Page's erratic playing on that tour, but I also feel like they weren't as free wheeling somehow even though the solos are longer and the songs were longer. Seemed like the epic scale and excesses took the place of the musical substance and improvisatory magic they had in the early years. I even feel that way about a lot of the playing in 75 , though on the Forum boards people are in adulation of 75 and 77. To me , their peak , performance wise was 73. Really 71 -72 were just monstrous. They way Page , Jones and Bonzo played off each other, and Page's ideas and execution just on fire. 

Gigs went well, had a great weekend at the Green Mill with this pianist Bill Carrothers who is a monster. I have a concert coming up in a couple weeks at The Studebaker Theater downtown with a great big band I play with here , The Chicago jazz Orchestra. It's a tribute to Dizzy Gillespie , in honor of his 100 bday and we are playing his music with the great trumpeter Roy Hargrove. If you're not familiar with him, he's a premier player. It should be a really nice show. Old charts from the 40's and 50's that are a motherfucker, so I gotta focus on these tunes!  Such great music, ahead of its day rhythmically and harmonically. I used to play with Ray Brown, the great bassist and he was in Dizzy's band when he was 18. Pretty wild to think. 

You're on my email list now so any time you feel like coming to a show, let me know.  I'll be at the Grand Geneva next Friday too ...FYI. 

best,

George

Hope you had a great time in Florida. Welcome back to the gray wet skies . Sucks ! Looks like the weekend will at least be clear. 

I'm putting you in my email list for upcoming shows. If you're considering coming, let me know and I'll try to put you on as a guest. 

Cheers, George

Hey Joe,

Yes, I play at the Grand Geneva pretty often with a really nice trio, Dan Trudell is a superb pianist and keyboard player. Its basically a lounge gig but its decent. We play what we want, and they have a nice Mason Hamlin grand piano. Let me know if you ever want to come up sometime. I try to keep my website updated. I have a concert coming up next month with trumpeter Roy Hargrove, and a big band I work with here called the Chicago Jazz Orch. We are doing a tribute to Dizzy, in honor of his 100th. That should be a good one.  Sat. May 20.

I remeber Insight, I think a guy I knew named Tim Gant played with them some. I remeber those days at the Backroon, Gallib ...wonder if he's still around.  Judy and I go way back too, I see her occasionally but she moved to Phoenix some years ago. She still gigs down there and comes back here occasionally, I think she was at the Jazz Showcase recently. 

Hope you had fun on your session tonight. Have a nice trip and when you get back, maybe we can connect sometime. Here's my email...  georgefludas@gmail.com  If you're ok with it, I can put you on my email list for upcoming shows .

Amd yeah, it was surreal talking with him. I actually went to the after party too, and talked to all three more while there. That was just a mind blower!  Page was the most congenial and talkative actually. Wonderful memory from that night. I was buzzing for weeks after. I can tell you more later. Wild!

George

Just looked up your brother's yearbook pic. I remember his face!  I don't believe we talked in school though, he looks familiar. My memory is fading every year though.LOL

If you went to Pops and The Bulls often then its likely I was playing at some point when you were there!

I'll keep an eye out for Tarra , its funny but the guitar player in Nuclear Waste plays with a band called Arra. They are kind of big on the cover band scene in the Chicago area and burbs. 

I don't remember your brother but that's correct, I graduated in 84. I'll look him up in the yearbook. 

That's amazing that you saw Zep at the Stadium!! My friend's brother was there for two of the nights too, one of which was the sick Jimmy show. I'm going to read your comments on the shows! Incredible. 

FYI, I'm playing at the Green Mill this weekend with a really great quartet, the pianist is particularly brilliant. His name is Bill Carrothers. If you're interested in coming I could possibly get you in as a guest. 

cheers,

George

Hey Joe,

Thanks for your note. The band sounds very cool, it'd be great to hear you all. I'm working May 5 but I'm open on the 6th. 

I don't often play rock shows but Nuclear Waste has been getting together again after 30 years if going different paths and we have been playing a few shows in the past year. We have a gig June 9 at some festival in the burbs. I am a jazz musician , so playing Zep and classic rock is a guilty pleasure of sorts. I've always been a Bonham fanatic so it's really fun to get back to my roots so to speak.

I work often in town with various jazz groups and do some touring. I have a website which has upcoming shows listed. It's www.georgefludas.com

What's the name of your Santana type band? 

Ah, I figured as much. Thanks.