The Last Waltz

This weekend we began the long process of saying goodbye with the first of what will no doubt be a procession of "lasts" and goodbye parties here in Korea:

Members of The Odds Against, The Mad Cannons, and the Songdo Social Club, along with special guests Masao Utsumi & Zee Kang came together for a farewell party at Cafe de Moim in Songdo for both me and Stanley Crocker, who's also leaving Korea this month.

The soft-spoken Masao Utsumi, a skilled bassist and guitarist, joined us for a set.  He said he hadn't played in a public gig in 30 years, but he certainly hadn't lost a beat.

The disappearing Austin and Utsumi on his 5-string

Finley enjoyed the acoustic set but didn't dig the drums.

Austin, Stanley, Zee, Robbie, Geordan

Many thanks to one of my former students, Hye-ji Shin, for shooting some video of the evening:

Couldn't resist hamming it up for this kid!

I need to put in a word of thanks to Robbie:

Love you like the older brother I never had, mate!

From the bottom of my heart, Robbie, thank you:  for organizing this whole event, for bringing more energy to every gig than I'll ever be able to muster, for both trusting and challenging me as a musician, for your unabashed emotion, and for our many talks about music, politics, and fatherhood.  And for as much as I loved our many fun shows, I think what I'll miss most is our rehearsals at your apartment with you and Rob. Good times.

And a word to Stan: 

Rocking out, Mad Cannons style

Stan, it was a jam session with you at the mountain biking campout last summer and your subsequent invitation to me to join the Songdo Social Club for a gig that transformed my musical life here in Korea.  In my first two years in Korea, I played at an open mic exactly once.  That's it.  Since meeting you, I've played on average three gigs a month.  Thank you for all the organizing you did, your work booking gigs, your willingness to run sound for TOA and to set up and tear down gear, gig after gig after gig.  The ex-pat scene in Songdo is losing a lot with you.  

And now a shout-out to the other musicians I've had the pleasure to get to know: 

• Zee: You're an extraordinary musician and a quirky-fun person.  So glad to have met you and played with you so often these past few months.  
• Moon: I'm sorry that the busy-ness of work prevented us from hanging out more often.  Best of luck to you in life and music.
• Geordan:  I don't even know enough about drumming to know how good you are at that kit.  Wish we could have had more gigs together.  I'm excited, however, that we'll be able to see each other from time to time when you head back home to Michigan!
• Jeff:  I had a great time Friday night sharing the mic with you and your trombone one last time.  It's been a pleasure.
• Simo:  Sorry you couldn't make it out so I could say adios in person.  Take care, bro.

And a shout-out to the fans!  Thank you!