Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras this year was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Let me start by saying that my wife and I found her biological father about a month ago. He is a retired Turkish naval officer. While we were at the NAMM show in January, two of the cymbal masters from my cymbal company, Bosphorus Cymbals of Istanbul, told us they could find him when they returned to Turkey. Two weeks later he called my cell phone. My wife has connected with her dad in a very profound way. He too is a musician, a piano player. He decided to come to New Orleans and stay with us for Mardi Gras. He arrived in NOLA just three days before I finished the Galactic winter tour.

I rolled into NOLA on Saturday morning and went home to meet my new father-in-law, Erkan Gursal. His entering our life and getting to know him and my wife's roots has been incredible. Galactic played Tipitina's that night and Erkan sat in. On Sunday night I played Snug Harbor with my trio, then Blue Nile with the Midnite Disturbers Brass Band. Monday night Galactic played from 1am to 6:45amMardi Gras (Tuesday) morning. We made it out at 1pm Mardi Gras day to parade with the Midnite Disturbers and our Krewe of Julu. Erkan hung tough throughout it all, and we all had a blast. On Ash Wednesday (recovery day) we had a family crawfish boil at the house. Thursday morning I left my house at 4:30am to catch a 6:30am flight to SF to play in Santa Cruz that night at Moe's Alley with Dragon Smoke... I must be crazy. :) But I love it. :)