Eric's Carnegie Notes

October 20th 2009

I am still in a bit of a spin since performing at Carnegie Hall. Hard to explain how it felt to sing on that stage. That hall! Well It's Carnegie.

While I owe my time there to Gavin Friday and Hal Willner, I want to thank the employees of Carnegie Hall for making my visit there really special. Chef Deirdre Devoy and her staff for making me feel at home. Finding me a quiet place away from the U2 vortex to have a nice meal and a few drinks. Really helped me to be in a good frame of mind to perform. Without that it would have been torture.

Also a big thank you to Carnegie's backstage security... With all those fans, celebrities and thier entourages, you always had my back. Had I not been so well fed, I would have been honored to take you up on your offer to join you for that meal.

The stagehands... You have my utmost respect. It was an honor to sing on your stage. You truly run the show. Thank you.

I also want to thank Gino Francesconi the Director of Archives and Rose Museum for allowing me an early visit and an opportunity to learn more about the halls history. You are doing a wonderful job in showing and preserving just what an important venue Carnegie Hall is.

It was a thrill and an honor to be the second member of my family to perform on that stage.

Thank you all for the Bright Moments,

Eric Mingus

Photo thanks to Caroline @ gavinfriday.com

September 25 2009

I was by Carnegie Hall last night and saw them move the poster for the Gavin Friday and friends gig to the main display. I wasn't there for that reason, but it was a cool thing to stumble on. This show is special for me in several ways. I am really honored that Gavin asked me to be a part of it. I have performed with Gavin in the past, but we have only performed the music of others. This time we are dealing with his music and I am very much looking forward to that. I really love his work.

I saw Andrés Segovia play Carnegie. a performance that moved me deeply. Prior to that... The memorial for my father was held there, a concert that showed me the healing power of music. So many people put their hearts into that show.

But the memory that sticks with me the deepest and why I can't wait to be backstage at Carnegie Hall... When my father performed there... I had no interest in the music... I had no interest in all them folks that hung around for celebrity... I was ten.. What mattered to me? What did I focus on? I wanted to sneak up on Rahsaan Roland Kirk... I wanted to snatch one of them toys dangling from around his neck... He was sitting backstage and I would crawl silently on my hands and knees and try to get near him. I maybe would get within 10 feet of him and he would say. "Hey Eric!" I'd run away.. We both laughing. He was amazing. I would walk past the door of his dressing room and he would know it was me. Eventually after hours of trying to sneak up on him and getting caught, he pretended to fall asleep and let me get real close and just as I was reaching for a shiny bit of metal on his chest.. He grabbed my hand and put a Kazoo in it. The music we made after is another story.

So I am grateful to Gavin for this opportunity to tread this stage. This stage that holds this importance to me. (and I get to see the scene of where I tried to rob a blind guy of his nose flute)

Bright Moments,

Eric Mingus