Latest News ...

 
 

Greetings FARMJAZZERS !   The summer is looking good with festivals and a few weddings.   This past Fall & Spring Semesters have been extremely busy with multiple teaching locations.  Applied Music Classes in Guitar & Banjo for college arts credits are now being offered at Piedmont Community College through their new Fine Arts Department.  These are private lessons and are being scheduled at both the Roxboro, NC main campus on Tuesdays; AND now at the Caswell Co. campus in Yanceyville, NC on Wednesdays.  Register now for Fall classes. (see poster below)… Other teaching locations include: The Kirby Gallery in Roxboro, NC  (phone 336-597-1709 for information/scheduling).  Banjo Lessons at Don’s Music City in Danville, Va (phone 434-797-4844 for information).  Also still teaching, (6th year), at Chatham Hall in Chatham, VA.

 

 

 

 

French Quarter Festival was “Big Fun in the Big Easy” this year.  A “Steamboater’s Re-Union” was held aboard Natchez Riverboat on Friday, Apr. 17th and approx. 115 ex-employees of the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. were on board to celebrate.  Highlights included jams with New Orleans trombonist-extraordinaire Rick Trolson and his New Orleans Po’Boys; And (see below)         “Washboard CHAZ and his Blues Band.

 

COMING-SOON .........LIVE ON-LINE "FINGERSTYLE GUITAR" / "RAGTIME GUITAR"  WORKSHOPS ......Bi-Weekly Sessions....... STAY TUNED ..........

 

          The “Noble-Fall” & Bird Rescue injury will be 2 years old in Oct. 2009.  My Leg & Hip has healed up well due to lots of physical-therapy and continued work on my part.  My surgeon Dr. Olsen of Duke is by far the BEST in pelvic-injurys.  I also have to give some credit to my great massage-therapist Kat Newcomb;  she helps me to keep on a gettin’ on  w/little or no “hitch in my get-a-long”.

 

                                       

 

                    Of Course, Dennis the Menacing Cockatiel, is just as rowdy as ever, but I am keeping his feathers trimmed so there will be no more joy flights and “egging-on” the Red-Tail hawks.  He is currently madly in love w/his latest mate – Zse-Zse, and they are busy practicing up for a brand-new “clutch” of baby chicks.

 

 

 

           

                                                                                                              Click to go to Azariah’s Web-Site

 

On the last weekend in April, the FARMJAZZ DUO: Michael Thompson & Thomas Hartley entertained from 1-4pm at the Grand Opening of AZARIAH’S Olde Storehouse just off the square in historic downtown Yanceyville.  While listening to Banjo & Guitar music, guests were treated to a delicious array of homemade edibles prepared especially for the occasion.  A “grand-ole-time” was had by all.   Stop by and say hello to  owners Charlie & Cristina Ward and see the fine renovation job done to this historic building.  While your there, checkout  their Breakfast & Lunch menu; a varied assortment of wonderful homemade sandwiches, salad, soups and baked-goodies are exquisitely prepared by Chef Cynthia Pulliam.

 

 

Michael & Tommy “Pickin’ & Grinnin’” at AZARIAH’S  Olde Storehouse

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and I’ll keep you posted on other news and concert events as they come up.  You can check out all the CD’s here on the website’s CD page; also on cdbaby.com; and earbuzz.com.   

               PLUS check-out:  http// www.myspace.com/michaelthompsonfarmjazz

 

 

      

    

 

   

 

 ---New CD--- ORDER NOW ...... ($14) ...

featuring - "Paracho-Joe"

     The much anticipated new solo CD project by Michael “The Sleepy Gypsy” has just been released and we are thrilled w/ the job OasisCD Duplication did on the packaging as well as the mastering-process through Frankford-Wayne Studios out of NYC.  This project, which began over a year ago as a solo guitar album, has blossomed into a multi-instrumentalists event with Mike Willis adding strings and percussion to a number of tunes; as well as Harris Marley adding bass tracks, and Janet Phillips performs flute on one song.  Michael & Sandy collaborated on the design, and Don Whoppa contributed the liner-notes.  The tunes make-up a “musical-sojourn” that traverses much of Michael’s career as a professional musician and many varied musical styles are presented here.  Included in the 15 Tracks are Cuban Folk melodies, New Orleans jazz, some Joplin ragtime, Brazilian jazz, contemporary compositions by other admired classical players Andrew York and Dusan Bogdanovich, a Lighfoot tune w/ dobros, an original Latin jazz tune by Michael, (“Paracho Joe” which will be sent out to over 500 radio-stations as a part of an Oasis Sampler of featured artists) and even one electronic piece w/ synthesizers inspired by Honnegger.  This new offering by Michael and Guitarchitect Productions is available here at Farmjazz.com.  It will also be available at the other following locations :  Don’s Music City in Danville , VA.  On the internet at :  cdBaby.com  & earbuzz.com.    Don’t miss this exciting new release of original and mystical new arrangements.  A description in one sentence :  “Acoustic-Guitar tapestry of dreamy melodies, woven with exotic rhythms, echoes the Gypsy’s footsteps …. “

          

 

     The FarmJazz BANJO PRIMER is the long awaited, (and most requested), publication by FarmJazz custodian Michael Thompson.  This 2-CD- along w/ Banjo-Tablature Booklet-Set is the “answer to a prayer” for banjo students everywhere. It contains 10 of the most popular bluegrass banjo tunes presented initially “at the snail’s pace”; and then several more times; each a “little-bit” faster than the previous version. And then finally, Michael plays the song  at “performance-tempo” and accompanies himself on guitar. Songs included are: Cripple Creek , Cumberland Gap , Old Joe Clark, Foggy Mtn. Breakdown, Lonesome Road Blues, Devils Dream, Home Sweet Home, Lonesome Reuben, Duelin’ Banjoes, Groundspeed.   This “must-have” learning tool is available through Michael for $30 on his farmjazz.com website; at Don’s Music City in Danville , VA ; or personally through Michael himself.     

 

 

 

 

 

Tommy and Michael perform "Tears in Heaven".

 

Vest made from Palm Beach, Fla. neckties;  tailored by banjo student, Rachel Root's mom, Lara.

 

                                           

            

Contact Michael@FarmJazz.com