And a Happy.... New ....Year...
How many times have you heard these words..and what do they mean ?
With each new year we resolve to make a change, a commitment, a move...
or... not. I mean we may NOT go for anything specific. We may actually avoid
the enter event and carry on as we always have.
I have done both, as I imagine many folks have. I now feel, personally, that each moment asks of me the same thing really. No matter what the current event, season or situation:
Am I happy or not? If I'm happy, why change? If I'm not, THAT's why! Of course this way of thinking can create many questions. I hope you all will post your thoughts on this. Happy Hollandaise and ..enjoy the view...see you on the "other" side : )
best wishes
Stephen DiJoseph
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
And So this is Christmas
.... A time of endings and beginnings for me.
My first European performance was Dec 2. My first time to Boston was Dec 5. Michael Hedges (my favorite acoustic guitarist) died Dec 5. John Lennon (my childhood inspiration) was murdered on Dec 8. My first record deal was Dec 12 (so was my last one...lol). My first instrument came on Dec 24.
This DEC 4 and 5, I had the privilege of showcasing my new CD at The Prallsville Mill Annual Holiday Craft Show in Stockton, NJ. In the video below, I'm going to feature just a few of the amazing artisans I got to know. They are true masters of their craft and inspire anyone who sees their work! They certainly inspired me to tell you about them! And... one of the high moments for me was: On Sunday the 5th in the AM there was a plumbing problem at my place so, I was detained from my arrival to the Fair. When I arrived, all the vendors told me how they were missing hearing my music. A great way to start my day for sure : )
Music from The Snow is Dancing and Urban Celtic
My first European performance was Dec 2. My first time to Boston was Dec 5. Michael Hedges (my favorite acoustic guitarist) died Dec 5. John Lennon (my childhood inspiration) was murdered on Dec 8. My first record deal was Dec 12 (so was my last one...lol). My first instrument came on Dec 24.
This DEC 4 and 5, I had the privilege of showcasing my new CD at The Prallsville Mill Annual Holiday Craft Show in Stockton, NJ. In the video below, I'm going to feature just a few of the amazing artisans I got to know. They are true masters of their craft and inspire anyone who sees their work! They certainly inspired me to tell you about them! And... one of the high moments for me was: On Sunday the 5th in the AM there was a plumbing problem at my place so, I was detained from my arrival to the Fair. When I arrived, all the vendors told me how they were missing hearing my music. A great way to start my day for sure : )
Music from The Snow is Dancing and Urban Celtic
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Refering back to Blog 1, beginnings, I'll continue with the story of the "Dan's" but first, I need to mention that I showed symptoms of Tourettes Syndrome between age 6-7: One year before the Magnus organ, the same year I started drum lessons. It seemed like Kind-of a blue-plate special: "one order of musical drive with a heaping side order of Tourette's please!"
In the April 13, 2010 edition of the Washington Post I read " [TS] is also associated with creative personalities: Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, writer Samuel Johnson and jazz great Thelonious Monk may have had it."
Well... I for one, will not argue with that possibility since being creative has been an obsessive urgency with me ever since I popped out! I mean.... I clapped out a rhythm while the delivery doctor slapped my hand-sized posterior! ....now at age 5, I FORCE-FED my parents ( and ALL who came across the threshold of our front door) a veritable variety show in which I played MC ( dressed like Mitch Miller including the diablo-like Go-tee ) and performer (lip-syncing to recordings.. playing air guitar and air keyboard).
OK so, back to Dan no. 2..Desiderio. He was very wise in that he demanded I practice what he gave me. You see..well..I kept getting ideas for compositions every time I would work on a piece of music, a piece of course that I DID requested, but NEVER-THE-LESS I COULDN'T resist what I heard! I did however still manage to learn the pieces. Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, Mendelssohn, Liszt.IN fact, I was seriously working towards the classical concert stage...with frequent foray's into
creative urgency's mind you. Dan and I would/argue about whether or not a successful pianist could ALSO be a composer. He was thinking classical, while I was thinking Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson. My thinking won out. I felt that there were enough classical pianists in the world but there was only one me...
besides... I couldn't stop the ideas! :)o
Here is a video I quickly put together in order to share my first recording titled
'Journey of A Soul' JOAS was recorded on a reel to reel 4 track at 15ips
in one take. It's a bit dramatic, but hey...hope you get a kick... as I did!
In the April 13, 2010 edition of the Washington Post I read " [TS] is also associated with creative personalities: Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, writer Samuel Johnson and jazz great Thelonious Monk may have had it."
Well... I for one, will not argue with that possibility since being creative has been an obsessive urgency with me ever since I popped out! I mean.... I clapped out a rhythm while the delivery doctor slapped my hand-sized posterior! ....now at age 5, I FORCE-FED my parents ( and ALL who came across the threshold of our front door) a veritable variety show in which I played MC ( dressed like Mitch Miller including the diablo-like Go-tee ) and performer (lip-syncing to recordings.. playing air guitar and air keyboard).
OK so, back to Dan no. 2..Desiderio. He was very wise in that he demanded I practice what he gave me. You see..well..I kept getting ideas for compositions every time I would work on a piece of music, a piece of course that I DID requested, but NEVER-THE-LESS I COULDN'T resist what I heard! I did however still manage to learn the pieces. Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, Mendelssohn, Liszt.IN fact, I was seriously working towards the classical concert stage...with frequent foray's into
creative urgency's mind you. Dan and I would/argue about whether or not a successful pianist could ALSO be a composer. He was thinking classical, while I was thinking Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson. My thinking won out. I felt that there were enough classical pianists in the world but there was only one me...
besides... I couldn't stop the ideas! :)o
Here is a video I quickly put together in order to share my first recording titled
'Journey of A Soul' JOAS was recorded on a reel to reel 4 track at 15ips
in one take. It's a bit dramatic, but hey...hope you get a kick... as I did!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
THANKSGIVING
One thanksgiving i drove my father's father
to be with my father's..brother, Louis, in Darien CONN.
Born in 1928 in Philadelphia, Louis Dijoseph was a graduate of
the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. After graduating,
he headed to NYC to embark on what became a highly successful
career as an art director in advertising.
Now Louis (and Aunt Nancy's) house was like an aftermath of props
from all the commercials he was involved with: Dr. Pepper, Eastern
Airlines, Japan Airlines, AT&T International, 7-11 Stores, General Foods,
Kentucky Fried Chicken and Adidas athletic shoes to name a few.
I was really so awe-struck by this man who seemed to be doing exactly
what he wanted to be doing. He told me stories of working with
Paul McCartney and Bill Cosby. Larger-than-life to me really at that time.
What I'm thankful for today is what Louis once said to me:
"I always listen to your music, Stephen. It brings me peace.
Keep doing it... because you love it."
to be with my father's..brother, Louis, in Darien CONN.
Born in 1928 in Philadelphia, Louis Dijoseph was a graduate of
the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. After graduating,
he headed to NYC to embark on what became a highly successful
career as an art director in advertising.
Now Louis (and Aunt Nancy's) house was like an aftermath of props
from all the commercials he was involved with: Dr. Pepper, Eastern
Airlines, Japan Airlines, AT&T International, 7-11 Stores, General Foods,
Kentucky Fried Chicken and Adidas athletic shoes to name a few.
I was really so awe-struck by this man who seemed to be doing exactly
what he wanted to be doing. He told me stories of working with
Paul McCartney and Bill Cosby. Larger-than-life to me really at that time.
What I'm thankful for today is what Louis once said to me:
"I always listen to your music, Stephen. It brings me peace.
Keep doing it... because you love it."
Thursday, November 11, 2010
INFLUENCES...
INFLUENCES
My earliest musical recollection is that of a music box in my grandmother's house.
Seems like I spent hours... listening....absorbed in that... mysterious..forlorn...intriguing...captivating
sound-of-a-distant-land melody.
Twenty five years back, I began writing a composition that was eventually called.... RECOLLECTION.
I started writing it while learning (or immediately thereafter) Chopin's Preludes in Eminor and Bminor and, in my mind, I always made an association with those pieces as the primary influence of Recollection. AHHHH...not SO grasshopper!
I inherited that music box when my grandmom passed. Kept it around for years. It wouldn't work so it became
a visual reminder of an amazing woman and a special time. Last week, while blogging about influences, I decided to try and see if it might not ...sing to me again. To my amazement, it...awoke!
Its plaintive, bell-toned melody rang from it's underside and I was drawn right back to that ...feeling...and there is was right before my eyes: the TRUE inspiration of Recollection. Thus the final title .....I have no doubt.
My earliest musical recollection is that of a music box in my grandmother's house.
Seems like I spent hours... listening....absorbed in that... mysterious..forlorn...intriguing...captivating
sound-of-a-distant-land melody.
Twenty five years back, I began writing a composition that was eventually called.... RECOLLECTION.
I started writing it while learning (or immediately thereafter) Chopin's Preludes in Eminor and Bminor and, in my mind, I always made an association with those pieces as the primary influence of Recollection. AHHHH...not SO grasshopper!
I inherited that music box when my grandmom passed. Kept it around for years. It wouldn't work so it became
a visual reminder of an amazing woman and a special time. Last week, while blogging about influences, I decided to try and see if it might not ...sing to me again. To my amazement, it...awoke!
Its plaintive, bell-toned melody rang from it's underside and I was drawn right back to that ...feeling...and there is was right before my eyes: the TRUE inspiration of Recollection. Thus the final title .....I have no doubt.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
a beginning...
Greetings Daily Local Folks and all other visitors!
I'm Stephen DiJoseph and I'm honored to be asked to share my blog with you all. I call it " DiJoseph's Synaptic Adventure." You see, everybody's got one. No, not a DiJoseph! A Synaptic Adventure! It's what's going on in one's head: where life is REALLY lived. This then, is how it works for me: music - videos - humor - STICKING OUT in a crowd even when you don't want to - social and "private" experiences - PUBLIC EXPOSURE (Ahh!... That got your attention!) and Tourette Syndrome.
Uh huh. I have Tourette's Syndrome. Can you imagine? I find it fascinatingly bizarre to have such a "visible" uhm.."unusual-ness" and be a concert performer. But ironically, I'm driven to do so! Have you ever had the feeling you just had to do something? The question is never should you, but how will you.
Doesn't everyone have something these days? How 'bout you? Say if you want. You're in good company! I often think of the times before the "labels" came (ADD, ADHD, OCD, AUTISM, ASPERGERS to name a few) when people were just normal or "nuts". I'm glad, in some ways, for the labels.
I've personally come to experience TS as a collaborative energy over the years, but it didn't start out that way.
When I was six, a strange simultaneity occurred. Tourette's showed up and I decided my life's calling/career/purpose/vocation/must-do-this/obsessive-compulsive/tic-driven/urg-a-lomaniacal dream was to be a musician. You know your standard garden variety kiddie-type desires.
I began with drum lessons. I definitely liked it, but something else was calling. Like for instance, the Beatles! They blew my wittle mind out in a car! In my dad's car. On the radio. And I wanted to "be that" when I grew up. My "partner" Tourettes showed up 'one day' as the OCD-ish urge to "test" a Christmas ball to see how hard I could squeeze it without braking it. Hmm. My "limit" test failed and It broke. and I bled. I think that "limit" test also showed up in my music as a stand-outish quality that pushed me to experiment, explore and compose.. I think the drums were a good choice for that time, that beginning of strange uncontrollable urges and rhythmic... pulse-ations.
3 years later...
Christmas. snow-bound at Aunt Pinky (nickname: I still don't know her real name) and Uncle Joe's in South Philly. We were trading presents and my parents pulled out a big box and handed it to me. I was spellbound with anticipation as I tore into the wrapping: A Magnus air-powered Organ!! Ahhhhhhhh!
Truly I say unto you, I did not get off that thing all night (even after they unplugged it.) I found my true love.
I was in a blurting phase with TS, so the combination of the instrument and my "vocalizing" was quite a test for family ties.
3 MORE years later...
I'd been bugging Mom and Dad for a professional organ for two years and 350 days . I wanted a real one with pedals and two manuals. (took two weeks to wear out the Magnus ) I actually cried
until they believed I was serious. One day I returned home from school and headed to the basement for my after-school music-listening session. And there it was! A brand spanking new ORGAN...with p-p-pedals! a-and...t-t-two manuals! Woohoo! Once again, I don't get off it for days and play until I drop.
Enter my first "real" music lessons...
My tutor worked for Wurlitzer in Center City, Philadelphia where we bought my organ. I don't remember her name, rank or serial number, but, let me tell you,
she ruled her gestapo-inspired teaching sessions with an iron fist....and a wooden ruler! yyy-ouch!! I gotta use those hands your wackin' wit 'dat ruler, lady! Fortunately for me and just in time, along came...the DANS. (to be continued)
LIVE at the Wiffledust studio...
Find more videos like this on world of wiffledust
more music,videos,downloads,FREE mp3's and upcoming performances VISIT www.stephendijoseph.com
I'm Stephen DiJoseph and I'm honored to be asked to share my blog with you all. I call it " DiJoseph's Synaptic Adventure." You see, everybody's got one. No, not a DiJoseph! A Synaptic Adventure! It's what's going on in one's head: where life is REALLY lived. This then, is how it works for me: music - videos - humor - STICKING OUT in a crowd even when you don't want to - social and "private" experiences - PUBLIC EXPOSURE (Ahh!... That got your attention!) and Tourette Syndrome.
Uh huh. I have Tourette's Syndrome. Can you imagine? I find it fascinatingly bizarre to have such a "visible" uhm.."unusual-ness" and be a concert performer. But ironically, I'm driven to do so! Have you ever had the feeling you just had to do something? The question is never should you, but how will you.
Doesn't everyone have something these days? How 'bout you? Say if you want. You're in good company! I often think of the times before the "labels" came (ADD, ADHD, OCD, AUTISM, ASPERGERS to name a few) when people were just normal or "nuts". I'm glad, in some ways, for the labels.
I've personally come to experience TS as a collaborative energy over the years, but it didn't start out that way.
When I was six, a strange simultaneity occurred. Tourette's showed up and I decided my life's calling/career/purpose/vocation/must-do-this/obsessive-compulsive/tic-driven/urg-a-lomaniacal dream was to be a musician. You know your standard garden variety kiddie-type desires.
I began with drum lessons. I definitely liked it, but something else was calling. Like for instance, the Beatles! They blew my wittle mind out in a car! In my dad's car. On the radio. And I wanted to "be that" when I grew up. My "partner" Tourettes showed up 'one day' as the OCD-ish urge to "test" a Christmas ball to see how hard I could squeeze it without braking it. Hmm. My "limit" test failed and It broke. and I bled. I think that "limit" test also showed up in my music as a stand-outish quality that pushed me to experiment, explore and compose.. I think the drums were a good choice for that time, that beginning of strange uncontrollable urges and rhythmic... pulse-ations.
3 years later...
Christmas. snow-bound at Aunt Pinky (nickname: I still don't know her real name) and Uncle Joe's in South Philly. We were trading presents and my parents pulled out a big box and handed it to me. I was spellbound with anticipation as I tore into the wrapping: A Magnus air-powered Organ!! Ahhhhhhhh!
Truly I say unto you, I did not get off that thing all night (even after they unplugged it.) I found my true love.
I was in a blurting phase with TS, so the combination of the instrument and my "vocalizing" was quite a test for family ties.
3 MORE years later...
I'd been bugging Mom and Dad for a professional organ for two years and 350 days . I wanted a real one with pedals and two manuals. (took two weeks to wear out the Magnus ) I actually cried
until they believed I was serious. One day I returned home from school and headed to the basement for my after-school music-listening session. And there it was! A brand spanking new ORGAN...with p-p-pedals! a-and...t-t-two manuals! Woohoo! Once again, I don't get off it for days and play until I drop.
Enter my first "real" music lessons...
My tutor worked for Wurlitzer in Center City, Philadelphia where we bought my organ. I don't remember her name, rank or serial number, but, let me tell you,
she ruled her gestapo-inspired teaching sessions with an iron fist....and a wooden ruler! yyy-ouch!! I gotta use those hands your wackin' wit 'dat ruler, lady! Fortunately for me and just in time, along came...the DANS. (to be continued)
LIVE at the Wiffledust studio...
Find more videos like this on world of wiffledust
more music,videos,downloads,FREE mp3's and upcoming performances VISIT www.stephendijoseph.com
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