This first week of 2009, I’m looking through my music library to get some new ideas for my gigs. The First Night performances I did on New Year’s Eve convinced me that I people would really enjoy some more of the transcriptions of African xylophone music. I’ve been performing Kpanlogo, which people really like. I’m thinking of adding Lo Ben Doma and maybe another one. (shout out to Valerie Naranjo for transcribing this music and making it available!)

It’s still difficult to come up with good choices that are also pieces I like. For my formal concerts, I am finishing up learning a Latin American set of pieces that will be fun. I have almost finished memorizing Zamba para Escuchar tu Silencio by Guillio Espel. It’s a beautiful piece. Also, Milonga by Cardosa (he’s a Uruguayan guitarist). I’m thinking about perhaps one of the Villa Lobos Preludes for guitar. Interestingly, my favorite preludes are not the ones that Makoto is performing.