Wed. Dec 5, 2007 - Happy New Year!!! 2008

Tue. Nov 27, 2007 - Guitar Lessons
If you're looking for a creative outlet, I'm teaching guitar again, this time out of a music store. I've hooked up with Union Music Company in SF (Market near Valencia). Let me know if you're interested. Makes a great stocking stuffer...

Tue. Nov 27, 2007 - ETERNITY is a Hit
My buddhist chorus performed at the United Nations 60th Anniversary Celebration in October where we played three songs including my tune "Eternity". Jazz vocalist Frankye Kelly joined us. Last weekend I attended a three day buddhist conference for musicians and singers at the SGI Florida Nature Culture Center near Ft Lauderdale, FL, right on the edge of the Everglades. There I recieved some amazing guidance from Jazz legends Buster Williams and Benny Maupin. My buddhist song "Eternity" was a big hit at the conference.

Tue. Nov 27, 2007 - Recent Gigs
October and November were busy. I sat in on some fun gigs and played some fun private events, including a fundraiser for John Muir Elementary School (with Deborah Crooks), and a fundraiser for St. Aiden's afterschool program (a 3 day dinner theatre extravaganza written, directed, and starred in by the amazing multi-talented Matt Gray, the man who designed the Take me Back To The Country CD cover).

Tue. Nov 27, 2007 - Thank You
Thank you to all who came out to my Take Me Back To The Country CD Release party at the Bazaar Cafe in September. It was a blast. Thanks to my musician friends for coming up and performing with me: (in order of appearance) Lisa Mandelstein, Dianne Nola, Waldo Carter, Jack Chernos, Mimi, & Wendy Beckerman.

Wed. Mar 7, 2007 - I'm going to be in Guitar Player Magazine!
Yes, it's true. Myself and Patrick Simms helped out with a guitar round up--we got to go down to the Guitar Player office in San Bruno and pick our favorites out of 35 guitars. The article will be in the May 2007 issue.

Tue. Mar 28, 2006 - In The Studio
I'm "in the studio" working on the next CD. Gigs have taken a break while the basics of the CD are laid down. Patrick Simms is producing. We are taking our sweet time, getting things right. I'll return to the stage soon.

Sun. Dec 11, 2005 - FADE AWAY Wins BEST SONG
FADE AWAY Wins BEST SONG at the West Coast Songwriter's San Francisco open mic for December 2005. I performed it and the judges picked it. Michael Rothenberg co-wrote it with me. This means it goes into a semi-finals open mic competition. Pretty Cool!

Fri. Dec 9, 2005 - I was on the Bruce Lattimer Show!
The Bruce Lattimer Show was great fun last week--my apologies to all of you who tried to tune in. I really screwed up on that one because it was only shown in the immediate Pacifica area. It will be re-broadcast up and down the coast on different community access stations, and I'll let you know the dates when I know. I have a video tape though, and I’ll put video clips on my website soon when I figure out how to do that.

Fri. Dec 9, 2005 - Eddie Alley (1910 - 2005) Part 2
The article I wrote about him can be found here:

http://www.afm6.org/art_EddieAlley.htm

After it was published, I submitted it to the International Musician (AFM paper) where it was re-published. I was then encouraged to submit the entire interview to the Legacy Oral History Project, part of the San Francisco Performing Arts Library & Museum. The tapes were transcribed and turned into a book that can be viewed at the Library. When the book was published, we had a reception ceremony at the library for Eddie. It was great to see him honored that way. He kept saying I “put him on the map!”

Fri. Dec 9, 2005 - Eddie Alley (1910 - 2005) Part 3
Many inspiring things were said about Eddie at the funeral and memorial celebrations that followed. Joel Selvin wrote a touching article about him in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/11/05/BAGOLFJMAR1.DTL&hw=eddie+alley&sn=001&sc=1000

This past summer I did a recording session with members of Eddie’s Band. We recorded a tune called “Eddie Alley’s Here”. I’m going to release that soon.

Fri. Dec 9, 2005 - Eddie Alley (1910 - 2005) Part 1
My father-in-law, Eddie Alley, passed away on November 3rd. He was a great man. He was 94. I met him when I was sent to interview him for the Local 6 newsletter (I work at the Musicians Union Local 6) in 2003. He was a jazz drummer who played with many of the greats, including Billie Holiday. We struck up a friendship, and soon after he introduced me to his daughter, Lisa. To make a short story short, we got married. Eddie Alley really helped me. He always had an encouraging word. “Keep The Faith” was his mantra to me. I know he led a very good and full life, and it makes me sad to know that I won’t see him again. I’ll miss him.

Mon. Sep 12, 2005 - The Richmond Ghetto Gigs
San Francisco is a strange place. And the Richmond District is one of the strangest. It’s summer when you think it’s winter, and winter when you least expect it. I used to live way out there on 4oth Avenue many years ago. The doctors told me the fog was stunting my growth, so I moved to the Mission and my shoe size immediately went from a size 9 to a size 11—go figure. I’d like to invite you to visit this part of town (no, I’m not in real estate) to see me perform in a series of shows I have affectionately titled The Richmond Ghetto Gigs. Check out the CALENDAR for details

Thu. Aug 11, 2005 - This is NEWS: here are some local groups I like
and they happen to have cd's on CDBaby, and I put a gallery up that you can view: http://cdbaby.com/group/whatalexlikes

Check them out!

Sun. Jun 19, 2005 - Recording Session with Jazz Greats a Complete SUCCESS
The session yesterday was a dream. We recorded two songs, "Eddie Alley's Here" and "After The Wedding Bells". Terry Hilliard (bass), and Waldo Carter (trumpet) used to play with Eddie Alley & His Gentelemen of Rhythm. When Eddie retired he gave all of his jobs to legend Willis Kirk, who played drums on the session. Michael Slaughter played piano and Patrick Simms recorded the session. This was all recorded live in the studio with no overdubs in the jazz tradition. Eddie was in the room sitting next to Waldo Carter. Everyone had comments and ideas about the tunes which we tried out and then recorded the final arrangements. Talk about being in the presence of greatness. I'll have the mixes out as soon as I can.

Fri. Jun 10, 2005 - Bazaar Cafe was Fantastic!
Hi Everyone,

The Bazaar Cafe gig last Sunday was really really great. I recorded it and the tape sounds so good I'm going to release some of the tracks either on my website or as a new live CD. Stay tuned for that! Alex

Fri. May 27, 2005 - Robert Cray is SMOOOOOOOKIN' at MUST Fundraiser
I saw Robert Cray last night http://www.robertcray.com at the Herbst theater in San Francisco. SMOOOOOOOKIN' guitar. Blues. It was a benefit for Must (Music In Schools Today) http://www.mustcreate.org. I first heard of Robert Cray in the mid eighties and never payed much attention to him--but the show last night was AWESOME. Afterwords I went home and played guitar--that's what a good show will do, make you want to play! And more exciting recording news. Yesterday I booked a session on June 18 with Waldo Carter (trumpet), Willis Kirk (drums), and Terry Hilliard (bass) to record "Eddie Alley's Here". When I told Eddie about it he said, "You got the tops!"

Wed. May 25, 2005 - AMP3 Event at Tongue & Groove was happenin'
Last nights AMP3 showcase http://www.amp3.org, at the Tongue & Groove was a happenin' gathering of folks. Nice turnout for a Tuesday night I'd say. I was there for Heather Lauren's set. She got so into her performance she threw her music book off the stage. A punk rock jazz presentation! Lots of folks were there including Groovy Judy http://www.groovyjudy.com, Maria Halyna, and Dave Stein all the way from Santa Cruz http://www.davesteinmusic.com. There's going to be an AMP3 event at the union in August so stay tuned for that!

Tue. May 24, 2005 - Kurt Ribak CONFIRMED for July 5
Jazz bassist Kurt Ribak is confirmed to play bass in my band at the July 5 CD release party for "Antique Dreams & Collectable Pleasures" at Ireland's 32 in San Francisco. Kurt and I have played a lot together. He played bass on all of the tunes on my "Light Another Candle" CD. Kurt is playing his original jazz all over the Bay and has a website http://www.ribak.com. He also a new CD out himself with his trio available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kurtribaktrio

Wed. May 18, 2005 - Today was beautiful
one of those mornings where the raindrops made music on my windowsill. The street was slick and the air was misty. My bus arrived right on time.
There's an old time jazz band rehearsing upstairs, Pat Yankee. Two days in a row. The local 6 rehearsal hall can be a happening place at 12 in the afternoon.

Tue. May 17, 2005 - I was a judge
at the West Coast Songwriters open mic at the Sweetwater in Marin last night. It was a strange experience to be a judge. Yes it's giving back to the songwriting community but still not the most comfortable thing for me to do.
In other news I have a rhythm section confirmed for July 5! A new band.

Sun. May 15, 2005 - Alex Walsh does his laundry & books a show
It's starting again, Live Music. I've got the bug. I'm putting a show together for July 5 at Ireland 32 in SF. Also check out http://www.livemusictaskforce.org. That's the beta website for the Live Music Task Force which is a project I'm working on at the Musicians Union. Have a great weekend.

Fri. May 13, 2005 - Horus Tolsun unveil's
My music teacher Horus Tolsun gave the world premier of three Arias from "Duel", his original opera, tonight at St. Mary's College in Moraga. It sent shivers up my spine. It was like an avante garde jazz opera. Very cool. Many members of the Golden Gate Chorus that Horus directs (and that I joined recently) went to the show to support him. It was inspiring.

Wed. May 11, 2005 - B.A.N.D. workshop delivers
Last nights B.A.N.D. workshop with Jocelyn Kane and Dani Eurynome was another information packed night of music business mayhem. Yes I book them at the Muscians Union for very selfish reasons--I love them, and I learn alot. It's been a monthly thing. check out Dani's website http://www.daniland.com/BAND/ for a full listing of this years workshops. Jocelyn's website is http://www.motogirlproductions.com. The topic was How To Put On A Great Show. The main tip I will lay on you is empty your pockets before you go onstage--Jocelyn HATES that--wallets and watches and keys and cellphones and change bulging out of someone's front pockets--Also check out http://www.afm6.org/events.htm for other local 6 workshops.
then went to Ireland's 32 to see Al Bedrosian's band Phantom City play--great!

Tue. May 10, 2005 - Songroup was Spectacular!
11:11pm. Yes, another amazing San Francisco Songroup. Eight people showed up and six people had songs and they were great! We critique each other. It really helps. It's cool, supportive, and fun. Great to see the creative process and to be there before all the hoopla of gigs and recording--which is a completely different animal. I always learn something and am always inspired. Everyone needs a community. We meet at different people's houses. The host makes dinner. I brought in a tune called "Give It A Whirl".

Shirley Larry and my wife Lisa are going to be my back-up singers, affectionately called "The Walshettes" for now. More on that later.

Mon. May 9, 2005 - Recorded vocals, guitar, harmonica, and kick drum last night
"Sleepy Head" is moving along. I'm going to record some ambient sounds--a children's playground--to add to the mix. The amazing Patrick Simms and his stupendous studio...

Sun. May 8, 2005 - At the fashion show, where the wind-up people go...
I'm playing a fashion show tomorrow in San Francisco that my wife Lisa is a model in. The clothes designer is our friend Bernadette Korver. It will be a fun solo performance for about 40 minutes--brunch on Mother's Day.
Met with legendary Jazz trumpet player Waldo Carter today to discuss "Eddie Alley's Here" and how to approach recording it. He said it sounds like a folk song. After the fashion show I'll do some recording with Patrick on "Sleepy Head".
Wondering now, what is Brit Pop? I thought it was pop from England, but I read somewhere on the internet that is was mid-nineties bands from England like Oasis. I liked them in 1995, that song "Live Forever" was haunting. But they sound like the whiny Beatles to me. Is Elvis Costello Brit-pop? Am I Brit-pop sounding?

Sat. May 7, 2005 - Oh those song re-writes
12:27am -- Listened to the songs I wrote last year, and got into re-write mode on "I Know, Dianna". It was just too short, an incomplete thought. So I've finished a draft and now it's too late to sing it. Don't want to wake up the building, you know.

Fri. May 6, 2005 - Had A Great Time At the Canvas Cafe
I met Rick and Joey and Polyanna last week. And then at the end I met singer/songwriter Heather Lauren who's headlining at Bruno's next thursday--http://www.heatherlauren.com

Is there a point to all this? I think I've stumbled onto another cool bay area group of musicians. Imagine that...

Fri. May 6, 2005 - Had a Great Time At the Canvas Cafe
Rick Dean, a talented singer/songwriter with a whole lot of musician friends invited me to play at his show at the Canvas Cafe in San Francisco--it was alot of fun! There was a whole band onstage, so I just used Rick's acoustic guitar and played with the band--Josh Srago on bass, Taylor Still on drums, producer Joey Muller on piano, and a whole lot of other musicians on cello and guitar whose names I will remember soon. We did "Please Mrs. Bus Driver" and "Love From Outerspace", both songs that are good for jamming. They all came over from Marin. When Rick was playing Polyanna Bush and I counted 11 people onstage. Polyanna played too. Her website is http://www.polyannabush.com

Thu. May 5, 2005 - Been Recording
Tonight we laid down shaker tracks, bass, another bass track with an effect on it--sort of sounds like a guitar. Makes the tune have an african feel. We also stuck a microphone out the door and recorded the traffic going by in the rain. It sounded really cool. Who knows if we'll use it, but maybe some of it--sounded like alot of things, a rainforest, the ocean, traffic in the rain. Talked about Patrick's radio show-- http://www.piratecatradio.com, 87.5 fm in San Francisco. He played my song "She's Making Waves" this week on his show.

Eddie's doing okay.

Wed. May 4, 2005 - Eddie Alley's Here
Eddie's in the hospital recovering from what turned out to be an ulcer. Gave us all quite a scare because he's 94 years old. He told me to "Keep The Faith" as he always does. And of course he laughed his laugh.

The blog says I can only put in 800 characters.

Wed. May 4, 2005 - Just went to a great workshop about the internet & websites
There was a workshop with Jacqui Naylor http://www.jacquinaylor.com , jazz singer extraordinaire, and YVOD http://www.yvod.com, a fantastic web company, at my work, Musicians union local 6 www.afm6.org. They said one of the fastest ways for search engines to find you is to type something into your blog everyday--so here I am! What's going on with music? Recording a tune called "Sleepyhead" with Patrick Simms. This is an acoustic sounding tune, quiet, with a bounce. Finishing that up soon and will put it on my CD for 2006. Also going to work with trumpet legend Waldo Carter (Duke Ellington, etc.) on a tune I wrote called "Eddie Alley's Here", which is a dedication to Eddie Alley, my father in-law and legendary jazz drummer. Eddie played with the best, Billie Holiday, among many others.

Sun. Dec 19, 2004 - Alex wins "Best Performance"
KFOG's Haley Jones & The Great American Music Hall's Dawn Holiday voted Alex Walsh "Best Performer" for the West Coast Songwriter Association's San Francisco December open mic on 12/9/04. Way to go Alex!

Mon. Oct 4, 2004 - Singer/songwriter Showcase Inspires
The Singer/Songwriter Showcase that I've started once a month at Starbucks Mariposa has become a real fun thing to do. All three so far have left me inspired-- I know some really talented people! Thanks to Stacey Valenzuela for booking this.

Sat. Sep 11, 2004 - I'm playing guitar at the Million Worker March in Washington D.C 10/17/04
That's right. I work at the musicians union in San Francisco, and was sent to interview Jack Chernos, a local protest singer that will be singing at the Million Worker March, for our newsletter. During the interview we ended up jamming and I recorded some guitar on one of his tunes. He like it so much he asked me to play with him at the March! He then asked the musicians union if they would send me--they said yes!!! So I'll be playing with Jack Chernos in front of a million people. I'm amazed.

Jack's website is: http://www.department-of-justice.org/

The Million Worker March website is: http://www.millionworkermarch.org/

Thu. Jul 29, 2004 - Going to Italy on my Honeymoon!
Yes, I got married in February and we're going to Italy for two weeks.

Mon. Apr 5, 2004 - Check out this new site!!
The new site is up and running. Check back often!

Fri. Apr 2, 2004 - Great review of my CD in West Coast Performer Magazine.
Check out the press link