
November 2019: Updated
How are you doing? I’m good. It’s my birthday month and as usual, I’m in a reflective mood. I’ve had a pretty dang good year on the music side of things and overall my family and friends are healthy. That is a win in my opinion and I’m super thankful for it. I’ve had the…

August Update
Greetings and salutations all you fine people! Happy to report that music is still really fun to play, listen to, and experience! I’ve done extensive testing on this theory (conducting numerous interviews with lay people and known experts) and the conclusion is that even if you don’t connect with a song or performance immediately there…

Genuine Jazz In July!
I’m definitely stealing that headline from some place I played at in the ’90’s. After a busy June filled with plenty of teaching, flying, general airport chaos, playing and even relaxing for a few days with family it looks like July is, dare I say, ‘heating up’, with some real fine music! Come on feel…

Bates Update HOLIDAZZLER
The Thanks have been given and continue to be perpetuated by our own attitudes for gratitude! Continuous support from family, loved ones, friends, colleagues, and YOU; inspires me and fuels my musical life. Thank you!!!! Atlantis Quartet just returned from a two-day mini-tour that was super fun and rewarding. It’s such a rarity to get…

Octoberatesupdate!
October is upon us. Not much to share other than this run on sentence. Playing music is a fascinating and bizarre career path with many ups and downs that don’t always align with the norms of normalcy within the social construct of 9-5 concepts that dominate our societal systems based on one’s expected alignment within…

Summer’s going fast…. Bates Updates getting slower.
I’m sorry. Bates Updates have been sporadic at best. I will do better. (there is no try) -cb Here’s what’s up with September. Friday, Saturday, Sunday 9-7, 8, 9 7pm All Ages TICKETS HERE Davina and the Vagabonds @ The Dakota Davina – the voice, the attitude, the energy and sincerity of a…

July already???? Dang.
Hey everyone! It’s been a whirlwind here in Batesland with summer in full effect and I’m already thru Jazz Camp teaching season as well as the Twin Cities Jazz Fest! Highlights from the last month include teaching the Minneapolis Public Schools JAM (Jazz Around Minneapolis) Camp and my annual week of combo and improv at…

I wish I MAY. I wish, I PLAY.
Hey everyone what’s happening?! I can only hope you are getting outside and enjoying this fantastic spring weather. It’s been a tremendous turnaround since we were deluged with that snowstorm a couple of weeks ago. This month I’m keeping it simple and focusing on making and presenting music. The work of play and the benefits…

The Spring of our Discontent
Well all the snow melted. Then it came back. And Old Man Winter laughs as our feeble minds attempt to reconcile. Indeed discontentedness is prevalent in all aspects of our lives. American politics is a shit show and the polarization of the American populace continues unabated as our so call leaders play teenage games with…

Bates Update – January 2018
Big things being planned and executed for this year! Very smart people are involved, the smartest! No sad music will be played, only the best! We’ll break down the walls. Trust the Bates! XOXO GIGANTIC DOUBLEHEADER to kick off 2018! Monday January 15th 7-9pm ALL AGES $10 donation RED PLANET @ BLACK DOG with Dean…

The (Tall) Tale(s) of the Tape – 2017 Year End Update
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you! I can’t thank you enough for being here and supporting my efforts to bring you quality, homegrown original music with the various ensembles I’m involved in. It is truly humbling. I will do my best to keep the quality up so you can trust the…