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DMITRI MATHENY

  • NEWS
  • ABOUT
    • Bio
    • Awards
    • DMG
    • Beleza!
    • Horn
    • Commissions
  • MUSIC
    • DM Radio
  • EDUCATION
    • Lessons
    • Classes
    • Workshops
  • TOUR
    • Tour Support
    • Touring History
  • BLOG
  • MEDIA
    • Radio
    • Videos
    • Press Kit
    • Reviews
    • Interviews
    • Newsletters
    • Quotes
  • DISCOGRAPHY
    • 2022 Cascadia
    • 2016 Jazz Noir
    • 2014 Sagebrush Rebellion
    • 2010 Grant & Matheny
    • 2008 Best of Dmitri Matheny
    • 2007 Spiritu Sancto
    • 2006 The SnowCat
    • 2005 Nocturne
    • 2000 Santa's Got a Brand New Bag
    • 1998 Starlight Cafe
    • 1996 Penumbra
    • 1995 Red Reflections
  • SHOP
  • CONTACT

DMITRI'S BLOG

COMPOSITION RETREAT | DAY 8 — BAINBRIDGE ISLAND 

 

Final day of the retreat! Returned to Wildcat Lake with my morning coffee.

 

Spied a Great Blue Heron and a little boy, both fishing. Daddy Bill would love this spot.

 

Today’s meal: pupusas con curtido and a spinach-blueberry-banana smoothie. 

 

Showered up and decamped to Poulsbo, to rendezvous with Jenny Davis and the band for our evening gig on Bainbridge Island.

 

Gratified to have spent the week up here, ruminating and rejuvenating.

 

Now returning home to Sass, the pups, and my own bed!

 

Life is good.

09/03/2023

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in Jazz, Mindfulness, Favorites, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Bidness, Intention, Simplicity, Resourcefulness, Refreshing Beverages, PNW Life

COMPOSITION RETREAT | DAY 7 — GREEN MOUNTAIN 

 

Got my morning joe from the roadside diner before decamping to Green Mountain and the Wildcat Trail.

 

Found a secluded spot lakeside to work on my arrangement of “Shelter” by Jay Thomas.

 

Shared the trail and spectacular views of the valley with a few ambitious kids on mountain bikes. 

 

Today’s meal: a mighty satisfying, spicy bowl of seafood pho with Vietnamese lettuce wraps and beer. 

 

Made camp among the evergreens in the secluded equestrian community of Bridal Trail. 

 

Grateful for the Icy Breeze, a tour bus air conditioner, white noise maker, and cooler, all in one (not a paid endorsement).

 

Tomorrow is the final day of this adventure. It’s been grand!

09/02/2023

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in Jazz, Mindfulness, Role Models/Mentors, Favorites, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Intention, Simplicity, Resourcefulness, Bill Matheny, Refreshing Beverages, PNW Life, Health & Fitness

COMPOSITION RETREAT | DAY 6 — HOOD CANAL 

 

Woke up with the sun, grabbed an espresso from the bikini baristas, and hit the road for Seabeck, a mill town on Hood Canal.

 

Followed a beautifully maintained walking trail to a small waterfall. Not another human soul in sight.

 

Sketched an idea for vibraphone and double bass. Not what I’d planned, but could be something.

 

Today’s meal: steamed mussels with salad, bread, and wine. Almost as good as Bartje's!

 

Tonight’s lullaby: Clifford Brown with Strings.

 

Goodnight, Blue Moon.

09/01/2023

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in Jazz, Mindfulness, Role Models/Mentors, Favorites, Listening, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Intention, Poetry/Song Lyrics, Simplicity, Nocturnes, Restraint, The Moon, Amina Figarova International Band, PNW Life, Health & Fitness

COMPOSITION RETREAT | DAY 5 — STILLAGUAMISH 

 

Summer showers again last night as I slumbered, cozy and warm, under the covers. #vanlife

 

Woke up to the welcome aroma of freshly brewed coffee, then explored the forested hills around my campsite.

 

Nature walks really aren’t the same without the company of my canine companion (Scout stayed home this time), but at least I have the voice of Daddy Bill in my mind’s ear, narrating, identifying all the birds and plants! 

 

Played some long tones over the water at sunset. It’s good to get away and recharge. 

 

The writing plan, however, has been a bust so far — more “posing” than “composing,” sadly. 

 

Nothing but false starts, insincere, derivative melodies, and ostensibly original ideas that lead nowhere. 

 

Oh, well. Not giving up. Fail better tomorrow!

 

Today’s meal: mango salad with prawns and peanuts and a sensational rainbow roll. 

 

Tonight’s entertainment: a download of Blade Runner, an enduring favorite.

 

Even fired up the propane heater for a little extra warmth and atmosphere. 

 

I do love a rainy night.

08/31/2023

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in Pop Culture, Jazz, Motivation, Mindfulness, Favorites, Listening, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Intention, Film, Simplicity, Rain, Resourcefulness, Bill Matheny, PNW Life, Health & Fitness, Scout

COMPOSITION RETREAT | DAY 4 — STILLAGUAMISH 

 

Fell asleep to the comforting sound of gentle rain on the roof of the van. Pure bliss!

 

Enjoyed the morning java en route to a new encampment: the Stillaguamish River in Snohomish County. The wisdom of Matt Foley notwithstanding, I believe I’ll stay here awhile. This is living!

 

Walked around Lake Goodwin under stormy skies to work up an appetite, then visited the town of Stanwood to absolutely inhale a wood-fired pizza. So good.

 

Wrote no music at all today. Just listened to the rain. 

 

Read my book. Napped a lot.

 

My kind of day.

08/30/2023

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in Mindfulness, Oral History, Favorites, Listening, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Intention, Simplicity, Rain, Resourcefulness, PNW Life, Health & Fitness

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