Harry Connick Jr.

Harry absolutely nailed it to close out the Fest. Unbelievable...

'Smile for the Camera'

Steely Dan, live at Jazz Fest.

Sharkucopia

I have determined, scientifically, that one can fit 50 mermaids in a shark's gullet. At Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar.

Beware mermaids, beware...

Moonshine

Moonshine. At Cochon in New Orleans.

Faerie Wings

You haven't really lived until you've carried faerie wings through Newark Airport Security...

JAZZ FEST EVE Y'ALL!

It is finally here.... In mere hours we are leaving for Jazz Fest. Car is coming at 5:30, it's currently 12:30 and I still have one more work item to take care of, a last minute costume check and am listening to WWOZ online (LISTEN ALONG TO JAZZ FEST!). I can't wait and am TOO EXCITED TO SLEEP...

stay tuned for updates... HAPPY JAZZ FEST Y'ALL!

(as WWOZ just said, "if you're not here, get on a plane. get on a bus. hitchhike.")

Welcome to the Bronx

I want to thank the Good Lord...

DiMaggio.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Sox & Liquors

Chris & I at Heartland Brewery

The Texan arrived last night for a weekend visit. We had a great lunch at L'Express, went costume shopping and are now relaxing at the Heartland Brewery on Union Square. Welcome to New York...

JAZZ FEST EVE!

here it is... the most wonderful time of the year. it is officially Jazz Fest Eve. we fly down a week from today, but the Fest proper begins tomorrow. truly can't wait.

to help get in the mood, check out this video on the Jazz Fest web site. WOW...

Two of My Favorites

here are two of the best... continuing our Jazz Fest countdown... Johnny & Louis...

"we'll give it to 'em in black & white"
"music's my life. it's always been..."

Gano Blows Fire

as part of our continuing countdown to Jazz Fest -- as we are now inside 2 weeks of our departure and an official week away from the first day of Fest, 2 weeks from our first day of Fest -- here's one of my (many) favorite Jazz Fest memories.

here our good friend Gano (a direct descendant of the founder of New Orleans, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville) blows fire late one night during Jazz Fest 2004. (you will note he stripped to the waist and stood by the pool as a safety precaution, with explicit instructions to shove him in should something go awry, as it had been years since he tried.)

COUNTDOWN TO JAZZ FEST!

The countdown to Jazz Fest has officially begun. Exactly 2 weeks from today we will be there, in that great city, and I truly can't wait. So, why not post a few items to get in the mood?

Here's a short interview with Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews who I have had the pleasure of seeing perform a number of times, in New Orleans and elsewhere (including a BLOWOUT evening with Stanton Moore in Austin, TX). Trombone Shorty is a young lion in New Orleans who grew up in the legendary Treme neighborhood, the oldest black neighborhood in America, famed for being the birthplace of historic horn players. The neighborhood (or "Faubourg") Treme also was the site of "Congo Square" which was the only place in the nation where slaves could congregate on Sundays, play their native music, keep their religions alive, and be "free" - if only for a day. The multiplicity of African, Caribbean, European and "other" rhythyms & musics gave rise to the only uniquely American contribution to world culture - "Jazz." As the clip shows, New Orleans exudes music & soul in a way not found anywhere else.

Jazz Fest can't come soon enough. Come join us! Laissez les bon temps roulez...

Colbert Does It Again

Colbert has done it again. Just when I thought my adoration for this comedic genius had hit an absolute height, he has further pushed the boundaries. Of course all of the awards foisted upon him, as well as his performance at last year's White House Correspondents Dinner, made me sit up & take notice. But then he started receiving all sorts of impressive, superfluous honors...

Now, it was nice to see a minor league hockey team name a mascot after him. And I was duly impressed when he had a Hungarian bridge named after him. Even more so when Ben & Jerry named an ice cream for him ("Stephen Colbert's Americone Dream - the sweet taste of liberty in your mouth") and he defended his flavor against Willie Nelson's in a debate, ending with them singing together.

But I was positively FLOORED when the Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics sent a letter describing how Captain America had left his indestructible shield to Colbert in his will as he wanted it to go to "the only man he believed had the red, white and blue balls to carry the mantle - Stephen Colbert." Watch this moving tribute below:

For a patriotic kid who grew up with Marvel Comics, this was the highest honor imaginable. Until yesterday...

Former supermodel Paulina Porizkova appeared on the show last night after earlier admitting on "the Today Show" that Colbert "is so hot." On the Colbert Report she not only reiterated that statement, but also very clearly illustrated that she has still got it. I believe there may also have been something about a new book.

For a patriotic kid who grew up with Marvel Comics, but then quickly discovered the joys of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, THIS is a pretty high honor indeed. (She appeared on the covers of both 1984 & 1985.)

I applaud you, Stephen Colbert. Well done...

Ho (the good kind)

With all of the media uproar over Imus' brand of "ho's" and the shocking tragedy at Va. Tech, the departure of a quiet entertainer from this earthly luau has gone largely unnoticed.

Don Ho, famous & nearly indistinguishable from his happy hit "Tiny Bubbles" passed away on April 14, 2007 of heart failure.

as my parents took a very young Guzilla to see Don Ho perform when we went to Hawaii (and might technically be considered my first concert - thereby starting the musical odyssey that has become "The Life Guzilla") I thought a farewell message was appropriate for the quiet crooner who couldn't escape his love for his native Hawaii and became an icon of that tropical paradise.

Don, may you have smooth sailing, glorious sunsets & tiny bubbles indeed...

E pili mau na pomaika`i ia `oe

A hui hou

Dr. John & Wynton Marsalis

Went to see Dr. John & Wynton Marsalis play last night at Jazz at Lincoln Center, courtesy of Evan Wade. A very good time, although Dr. John is better suited to a filthy dive bar at 4:30 am than a major, upscale concert venue. (I know from past experience.) JALC is a very high-end house of jazz, for right or wrong. Basically, Wynton's ivory tower here in NYC. Some great stuff comes out of it, particularly around education, but when someone with the amount of raw grit that Dr. John can muster comes through, it shows how scrubbed the place is. That being said, it's always great to see "The Night Tripper." Wynton debuted a piece he co-wrote with Maya Angelou about the history of African-American music that featured an incredible "young genius" tap dancer. A great splash of New Orleans music. Jazz Fest approaches...

The Ladies Guzilla!

Just got off the train in Hartford and went to our normal post-train dining spot, Hot Tomato's, for Momma's birthday!

The Swarthy

John, Jim & Chris. Having lunch at Duke's.

Jimmy & Johnny

John Bon in town from France. Had an EPIC dinner last night at Knickerbockers. Executive Chef Jason took care of us. Lobster bisque cappucino, tuna (steak for me) tartare, caviar nachos, shoestring onion rings, crab cakes, mashed potatoes, truffle oil bleue cheese fries... And Steak! Lots of delicious steak. Oh and 3 chocolate souffles & churros with a carmelized dipping sauce. Outrageous...

Popsie Dixon & Milo

Popsie Dixon, of legendary funk, soul, blues band The Holmes Brothers (who will be performing at Jazz Fest this year) joined Milo onstage at the Red Lion and brought the house down. A hugely unexpected, wildly entertaining gift from the music gods!

Me Jim Milo Z

Joel Forrester Live at Louis 649

Louis 649

At Louis 649 in Alphabet City, named after Louis Armstrong & listening to the music of the man himself, with live jazz starting soon. Zach & Hamsa tending bar. And, Zach made the kind offer to order us cases of Abita Restoration wholesale. 2 year anniversary of Hamsa's being found.

Ed's Lobbie Bar

Ate the hottest pepper in the world. The Wife was making her fish sing.

Virtual Worlds 2007

Spent the last 2 days attending the Virtual Worlds 2007 conference at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. All I can say is, "wow..." It was the first one and hosted a sell-out crowd from diverse companies, with a lot of international participants. There were some freaky-smart people who all agreed this is the wave of the future and at a very early stage. It was also reminiscent of the internet in the mid-90's as, while there was still the pervading sense of "this is The Next Big Thing," there was also a sense of a helpful and open community. Everyone was pleasant and accessible. And smart. Very smart... I am processing my notes and may post more later as I am still digesting. Took nearly an entire notebook's worth...

A Night Out with Joan

Before leaving for Houston, we took Doug & Tara to see our dear friend Joan. Had a lovely evening all around. Just downloaded the picture from the camera, so it's a little belated...

More Houston Photos

just pulled some pictures off the camera. So there are more Houston photos HERE.

Giant Horned Armadillo

You heard me. Ahh Texas...

Bayou City Art Festival

The Guzillas go to Houston

My new shirt

Went boot-shopping again at Cavender's. Got myself a new Western shirt. If you don't like my new shirt, the terrorists have won. These colors don't run...

Rock chairs

Southern Culture on the Skids indeed...

Southern Culture on the Skids

The three of us are currently at The Continental Club, awaiting Southern Culture on the Skids to take the stage.

The Guacamole Raider

The Guacamole Raider & The Wife at Pico's (fantastic) Mexican restaurant.

The Wife plays bocce

Bocce is a cruel mistress

Grinning like a tree frog

Chris & The Wife at The Daily Grind. Good lunch, outside, and I coined a new expression. "Grinning like a tree frog." No idea what that means...

Ass-too

Crawfish!

Houston has crawfish! On our waiter's recommendation, we went to Mardi Gras for some mudbugs.

Big Oil Handout

My Big Oil brother... Beggin' for beer...

Bocce with Chrissy

Playing outdoor bocce at Patrenella's. With beers.

My brother's corporate overlords

Just landed in Houston & took a cab to my brother's place of employment. Conveniently located at Louisiana & Leeland. As I am... Awaiting his descent from Mt. Chevron...

Grant's 30th! (belated)

Just got this photo (this past weekend, as we were shredding 2 feet of fresh up at Windham) from Grant's 30th birthday party on March 3rd.

A little belated, but worth the wait. The birthday weekend was more like several parties as he was feted at Chalet Stubbs, Wintergreen and during The Follies. Aunts & Uncles came in from St. Louis and surprised The Big Guy who handled it with his normal aplomb, yelling for everyone to "Bow down before me!"

Dawn Patrol

Christian & I woke up before dawn to get first tracks at Windham after they received almost 2 feet of fresh snow.

An epic day of skiing... We got 12 runs in before breaking for breakfast at 10:30, having slowly worked our way across the mountain, getting fresh tracks & face shots on every run we skied.

The Delta Grill

Had a good, New Orleans-inspired dinner at The Delta Grill in Hell's Kitchen, USA. Good food & they have Abita Restoration (the official beer of the Guzilla Household). However, unlike the normal dollar from every six-pack that goes to New Orleans' restoration, they donate a dollar FOR EVERY BOTTLE SOLD. Double Yay. Why drink anything else?

Started the night at legendary dive Rudy's and also saw Matt's new pad. Tremendous location & he will add that certain sissy magic to make it truly special. Including, but not limited to, a trellis & strung lights for his outdoor space. (!!)

Dinner with the Z's

had a great dinner with Milo & Tamera. Major mojo, with a great dinner at Frank's, a long stop at the Blue & Gold Tavern, and ending at Paddy's with late night at our apartment. Milo & I wrote a tremendous song at the Blue & Gold and came up with new soundtrack ideas as well.

Super great evening...

T-Shirt Hall of Fame

At my Mom's house in Connecticut in what has historically been my room, safely shut away from the rest of the world, I have a T-shirt Hall of Fame.

In this undisclosed location, I store t-shirts of mine that are far too important to me to ever wear again. Ridiculous? Some think so, but I disagree. I am reminded of the lecture Michael Caine's Lawrence Jamieson gives Steve Martin's Freddy Benson in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels:"

"Now, all of these wines are very old. I bought them to make sure they were cared for properly."
"You got a lot of wine to drink."
"I would never drink them. They're far too valuable."

So too with some t-shirts. T-shirts are, to me and to many men, important. They are comfortable and practical but are also souvenirs of our travels. Many of these Hall of Famers are particularly well-traveled and represent great memories. Each one has a story and has witnessed memorable chapters in The Life Guzilla. I have perspired on the other side of the world in some of these t-shirts, and a few of them are from places that no longer exist -- a t-shirt & memories being in fact the only proof that these places DID exist...

So here they are... The current inhabitants of my T-Shirt Hall of Fame. Clockwise from the upper left they include:

1. Semester at Sea -- My favorite Semester at Sea shirt from sailing around the world in Fall of 1993.
2. Polish Power -- Once my Dad's, now my Polish sentiment. Worn at several New Orleans Jazz Fests.
3. Fighting 31 Tomcatters -- T-shirt from the Fighting 31st F-14 Tomcat squadron & purchased at the 1986 Pratt & Whitney air show. My father, who was in charge of the air show, introduced me to Colonel "Snort" Snodgrass - the commander of the Fighting 31st. After watching him take the F-14 vertical and then shaking his hand, I thought Colonel Snodgrass was the coolest man in the world. The Tomcatters are the second oldest Navy squadron and were the LAST Tomcat squadron as the F-14 itself has been decommissioned, with the 31st transitioning to the F-18 Super Hornet.
4. Olema - the Epicenter 1906 -- Shirt my brother brought me from a geologic expedition early in his career. Olema was the epicenter of the giant 1906 earthquake that leveled San Francisco, and he was there. I wore this shirt non-stop for years until it became pretty fragile.
5. Cream at MSG -- Concert shirt from Cream's historic October, 2005 concert at Madison Square Garden and the newest addition to the Hall of Fame, with the least wearings. The concert was the definition of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
6. Slithy Toves -- Shirt our high school improvisational comedy group, the Slithy Toves, wore at all performances. Far and away the greatest thing I did in high school, and I credit it and those that got me involved with making me who I am today.
7. The Mermaid Lounge -- Was one of my favorite bars in New Orleans, located WAY out of the Quarter, but no longer exists. Went in one afternoon with Gano to listen to the great music they had there at all hours. Wanted to buy a shirt for Gano & myself, but they were out of the ones they had above the bar. The bartender went in a back room and rummaged around and came out with these, that I preferred anyway. When I got home, I had a strange feeling (as I always do returning from New Orleans). I was researching some Polish history and was AWESTRUCK when I realized the same mermaid design on a t-shirt that destiny forced upon me in New Orleans, is the symbol of the city of Warsaw, Poland. Believe in magic.
8. Johnny White's 14, Hurricane Katrina 0 -- I went down to New Orleans after the storm and had to go to one of my favorite Quarter bars, Johnny White's. Johnny White's had achieved international fame as being true to its credo not to close. At all. Ever. At any hour. They even made the New York Times as the only bar that stayed open during the storm. I bought a shirt for Gano, and a tank top for Charity but they were out of my size. The bartender took down the display model and gave it to me, after I told him I knew Sarge. Then he pulled out pictures of Sarge and started getting misty. Another magical New Orleans experience, even though the shirt is yellowed with bar soot... It is a great reminder of the indomitable human spirit - Johnny White's has only closed for one day in 14 years, when the bar's namesake passed away.
9. The Shim Sham Club - Hottest Spot in Town -- Another legendary New Orleans bar that no longer exists. Bethany got this t-shirt for me after our epic Hat Night one Jazz Fest, many moons ago. Our group out-freaked the professional freak show they had, who simply gave up, as we were more amusing.
10. Delaney's Hong Kong -- Souvenir from a drunken rainy day spent with John Bon when I flew from Tokyo to meet him as he was on walkabout through Asia. Spent all day in this bar catching up, waxing philosophical and tag-team writing postcards to friends all over the world. Then we went out on the town in to the wee hours. Also, the design of Chairman Mao sipping a Guinness is pretty funny...

Brooke O'Leary Compagnone

Please welcome to the world Brooke O'Leary Compagnone - Born March 6th at 12:14 AM, 7 lbs, 13 oz. and 19 1/2 inches. Everyone doing well and another Comp daughter is born...

Army First Lieutenant Jeffrey Adams

our buddy from the Wounded Warriors night, retired Army First Lieutenant Jeffrey Adams, was featured in an article entitled "Heroes on the Hill" and with this full page photo in Hudson Valley magazine.

Happy Birthday Chrissy!

Happy Birthday Chrissy!
Originally uploaded by Guzilla.

My brother is celebrating his birthday in Florida at Red Sox spring training with Ed & Sarah. Happy birthday Chrissy! His man Dice-K even got his first win. Over powerhouse... Boston College.