It’s nothing to walk down any isle and hear incredible musicianship.  Here’s a video of my bro’s Jermaine Hall and Oliver McEwan in an impromptu jam session at the TC Electronics booth.  They’re jamming to MJ’s Human Nature.  Enjoy!

NAMM & EBS Logos

Guys I’m headed to NAMM in Anaheim, CA!!!  This is my first year and I am so very excited to be attending.  For those of you that may have never heard of it (from namm.org):

NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization’s popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global music products industry. Our association—and our trade shows—serve as a hub for people wanting to seek out the newest innovations in musical products, recording technology, sound and lighting. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages.

In the Winter and Summer every year, NAMM sponsors trade shows that allow all of the merchants and manufacturers to showcase their products.  This results in every musical company that exists convening in one place to show off the goods!!!  Nearly every person that is endorsed by these companies stops by and performs, showcases new products, takes pictures, signs autographs and just hang.  It’s an incredible opportunity to hang and network with musicians from all over the world.

NAMM isn’t open to the public, so a manufacturer or merchant has to help you gain access.  EBS Sweden, a company that graciously allows me to endorse their pedals, allowed me the opportunity to go to this year’s conference!  I am very thankful and grateful for this opportunity.

I’ll have tons of pics and video in the coming days!!

Life Bike - Photo Taken by Demonterious Lawrence

It’s always cool to encounter artwork that is seemingly placed at random so that the world can stumble upon it.  I wouldn’t even know where to begin in trying to decipher the true sentiment behind this.  First glance led me to feel that the colors represent vibrant life, the flowers represent a growing fragrant life.  Although chained, this bike can also represent the bondage in which so many people life, despite the fullness of life that lives within them.

Scooter Mural - Photo taken by Demonterious Lawrence

This was an incredible pic.  I took the pic as I initially saw the scene – through the scooters.  The colors are what really inspired me to take the picture.  In addition to the first two pics, the following two pics were taken in Camden Town.

Church - Photo Taken by Demonterious Lawrence

Camden Lock - Photo Taken by Demonterious Lawrence

I had the opportunity to take a stroll through China Town.  Here are a few pics:

China Town - Photo Taken by Demonterious Lawrence

Hungs - Photo Taken By Demonterious Lawrence

As I’m sure visitors to the US are a bit weirded out by so many places offering their “native food”, I too joined the ranks of weirded out people when I saw this:

Fry That Chicken - Photo Taken by Demonterious Lawrence

I love the British lingo.  I can still hear recorded voice singing ” Mind The Gap”!

Mind The Gap - Photo Taken By Demonterious Lawrence

We took the Tube (sounds like they say Chube) across town and took a little walk through the governmental area of the city.

City Scene - Photo Taken By Demonterious Lawrence

Classic London Shot - Photo Taken by Demonterious Lawrence

Classic London Photo OPP - Photo Taken by Demonterious Lawrence

It was cool to see the homie Ben up close and personal!

The Homie Big Ben - Photo Taken by Demonterious Lawrence

If you’re ever in London, please take the time to ride the London Eye.  It gives you incredible views of the city!

London Eye - Photo Taken by Demonterious Lawrence

London Eye - Photo taken by Demonterious Lawrence

London Eye-ful - Photo Taken by Demonterious Lawrence

London Eye-ful - Photo Taken by Demonterious Lawrence

From The Top Down - Photo Taken by Demonterious Lawrence

Hope you enjoyed the pics!

For more info and videos click here:

We shared the stage with some incredible Polish artists : Leszek Mo?d?er, Myslovitz, Zakopower, Tomasz Sta?ko, Me Myself and I and Perfect.  We were also able to perform alongside and some legendary artists from the United States and abroad: Michael Bolton, Dolores O’Riordan from The Cranberries and Tricky.

Each foreign artist was asked to perform a song native to Poland.  Our performance piece was a reggae version of Daab’s W moim ogrodzie (In My Garden).

The night was rounded out by an incredible fireworks show that we unknowingly stood underneath.  I have some footage that I’ll share soon of what it’s like to see fireworks from directly under them!!  It was an incredible night!!

The show featured Jaguar Wright, Ledisi, and Angie Stone.  All three artists put on incredibly great shows and there was an impromptu performance from all three artists in the end paying homage to Soul music and it’s roots.  Our fingers are crossed… the response was so great that we are hoping that this turns into a tour!  Wouldn’t you like to see that?!?!?!

We were all a little afraid of that the weather had in store for us this weekend.  When we left Atlanta, everyone was predicting a huge blizzard to attack New Jersey and New York.  Luckily it only snowed for an hour or so and the conditions weren’t bad at all.  Then our concerns shifted towards the incoming inclement weather back in Atlanta, but we heard things would hold off for us until we arrived.  Great ending right?  NOPE!!!… because we make it to the plane to find out the the navigational computer in the plane would not boot up!!  So I was still stuck in Jersey until they could get another one in from Baltimore.

We finally made it back to Atlanta and we did so before the snow started here!  Thank God!  It was cool though, because I was able to be on the beach in the snow for the first time in my life!!

AFAR workshop on hip hop in Trujillo, Peru

What’s up everybody?  It’s really been a while since I’ve last posted about AFAR and our travels.  We were recently invited to Peru to do our instructional workshops and concerts at the Bi-National Centers, where people are given an opportunity to come and learn English.  This trip has been a little different, and easier, in that almost everyone that we come across are either learning English or have become very fluent in English.

AFAR Master Class on Hip Hop

I’m no longer surprised at just how far hip hop reaches.  We’ve traveled to some very remote places in countries that are very socially restrictive only to find that hip hop is alive and well…. and more appreciated than in the United States.  I find that other cultures embrace the totality of hip hop, and not the “get rich over night” nature that hip hop has become in the States.  Most of the people we meet in other countries frown upon contemporary hip hop and champion old school and golden era hip hop.  That’s right up my alley, and it’s definitely up AFAR’s alley.  It’s so great to be able to go where the music is appreciated and share our mutual understanding and love.

We met a few hip hop groups in Trujillo, Peru and they happily agreed to perform with us.  These guys were great!!  Check out a couple of pics from the show:

And what’s a hip hop show without break dancing?

More to come in the next few days!!!

I am always reminded of just how blessed I am whenever I’m given the opportunity to travel the world and see places that I never knew existed!  It’s a blessing because there are many people that I know personally that may never have some of the opportunities that I’ve been given.  I am grateful!

This time, my journey leads me to Maastricht, in the Netherlands.  I’m playing for a Jazz festival there.  Traveling to Europe is always a great experience, and it would be a little better if the Euro to Dollar ratio wasn’t so bad!!!
Well anyways, I’m looking forward to waffles, chocolate (we’re flying in to Brussels) and great music!!  Pictures to come!