Fun Facts from my year 2016

Well … 2016 is finally over, and what a year it’s been. It’s hard to remember a year that has been so controversial, so fraught with change, so full of future uncertainty and infused with general a sense of dissatisfaction from all sides. All in all, it seems that most people, generally, are happy 2016 has come to an end, and hopefully, the start of the new year has already brought a new sense of hope and perspective, and the feeling that whatever the uncertainty we face, individually and collectively we will be rejuvenated and can start to make positive changes.
 
Luckily for me, my good fortune to live a life dedicated to the arts as a recording and performing artist has allowed me to survive amidst the backdrop of this tumultuous year.  I have been able to counter the negative feelings by continuously delving into my music and sharing the beauty, the peace, the distraction and the sense of wonderment that music offers.  2016 for me was a year full of music – with a great balance of new experiences and old favourites in every aspect of my life including places, pieces, ensembles and friends.

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Touring with Seascapes by Eduardo Garrido, including a Mexican premiere in the presence of the composer. Click here for a live performance from Melba Hall this September.

Fjords, Norway

Another great Music by the Sea Festival at Bamfield. This year I performed solo works as well as collaborations with string quartet and soprano.

Santa Pau, Catalonia, Spain

Some non-musical highlights for the year included enjoying April 2nd twice, discovering new cities in countries I love, like Santa Pau in Spain, Forbes in Australia and Los Angeles in the USA.  I saw some amazing nature -  I sailed through the Norwegian fjords and I spent the day in Hilo, Hawaii, the city with the most rainfall in the northern hemisphere (and it rained!). I dined on lobster in Norway, tacos al pastor in Mexico, fresh salmon on Vancouver Island,Moreton Bay bugs on the banks of Tin Can Bay and lechon in the Philippines.   I even got to see The Late Show with Stephen Colbert live in New York City! 

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Here are some fun facts from a dizzying 2016:

I recorded 1 new CD

Expresivo was included in the Best Albums of 2016 list in the American Record Guide. 

A major highlight was recording and releasing my 5th CD, Expresivo - a very personal experience as the CD features some of the most well-loved and well-known works for the guitar - the music that first captivated and inspired me to become a guitarist. As a result it was an honour to receiveflattering reviews and praise for this album, like this one, written by Ken Keaton for theAmerican Record Guide.  Click here to BUY.

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I played in 2 new countries ...
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... Tønsberg, Norway as part of the
Pure Classic Musikkfest.
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This is the furthest north I've ever played!

...  and Mexico City 
as part of the V Festival Internacional de Guitarra del Conservatorio Nacional de Música, Mexico

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I did 3 TV interviews ... 2 in the Philippines and 1 in Norway

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I performed 4 world premieres with Zoco Duo

The lovely Laura Karney and I were delighted that this year the Associació Catalana de Compositors invited us to collaborate with their composers and perform a recital in which we premiered several new works written for us alongside lesser-known and infrequently performed works by living Catalan composers. 
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I gave concerts on 5 continents*
​*as long as you count performing on the continental shelf off the coast of Morocco 

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I took 6 flights in April and October 

​... making them my busiest months of flying during 2016 (which had 40 flights in total).

​August was the only month with 0 flights

​​... so I got to enjoy my new BBQ on my new terrace!

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I spent over 9 hours in taxis traveling to and from Barcelona Airport

This only counts the time spent getting to and from Barcelona's El Prat airport- a mere 42.5% of my flights taken, not including the time spent in taxis, trains, buses and ferries getting in and out of other airports around the world!  In addition to these 9 hours in taxis, I spent over 20 hours in Barcelona airport just waiting for flights and luggage!  

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I played 14 guitars from 7 countries in concerts and videos

It was an incredible opportunity to try, perform and record on a remarkable collection of classical guitars, a number of which were formerly from the Russell Cleveland Collection.  

Here are some videos of me performing on these instruments - Astor Piazzolla on the Rodriguez "Churchdoor", Beatles on Bream’s old Hauser II, Agustin Barrios on a John Gilbert and Enrique Granados on Segovia’s old Ramierez 1A.

I also recorded this video of Albeniz’s  Granada on my wonderfully sweet sounding guitar by young Spanish luthier Elias Bonet Monné.

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Greg Smallman and Sons 2006 & 2007 [Australia], Elias Bonet 2015 [Spain], Lacote copy by Simen Omang [Norway], Miguel Rodriguez 1976 Churchdoor  [Spain], John Gilbert 1994 [USA], Hermann Hauser II 1957 (ex-Bream) [Germany], Jose Ramirez 1A 1969 (ex-Segovia) [Spain], Ignacio Fleta 1963 [Spain],  Daniel Friederich 1981 [France], Jose Ramirez 1A made by Paulino Bernabe 1961 [Spain], Masaru Kohno 1974 [Japan], Hermann Hauser II Llobet model 1971 [German], Manuel Velasquez 1975 [Puerto Rico/USA]

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I took 40,223 photos and videos during my first full year with a smart phone.   
About 82% were blurry, crooked or otherwise unusable. (Steep learning curve!)

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I reached over 40,000 
views on 4 videos in less than 6 months

Recorded for Guitar Salon International in Los Angeles, they were published in June and July. My video of Adios Nonino by Astor Piazzolla has reached 16,926 views (and counting) since June.  Click here to watch the video.

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I wish you all the best for a 2017 full of happiness, health and good music.
 
Happy 2017,
Jacob