Kiku Collins: Blog

The lightning seems to strike every few seconds out there, yet reliable sources uptown tell me there's no lightning or rain or anything! How is that possible?

This has been quite the trying day for many reasons. I'm glad it's almost over. In the end, it's all cool, but to get to the coolness, there sure is a lot of crap to navigate around!

Whew.

Tomorrow I'll be hitting the museum with my daughter's summer camp, then a gig with Adama. Let's hope it's a better day tomorrow!

And let's hope my shoulders loosen up a little! I've had quite a bit of tightness in them, and yes I've laid off shoulder presses and have been stretching. It even hurts to get dressed and undressed if I'm in a tighter top, that's a new and exciting pain for me! I think it's from holding the horn a lot, playing and practicing. Maybe stress too - ummmm, yeah, it's been a stressful week for sure. So I need to relax, stretch more, and get a massage. Promise I will do all of those things before I get on the next airplane!

And please send good weather vibes for this Saturday - my daughter's birthday party! I swear we go through this every year, the forecast is always possible scattered showers - but it never happens during the party window time. PLEASE keep the rain away!!!

xo,
NP

Most people, who have not toured, wonder what *we* do on the road. Having toured with 2 major artists now and some smaller acts, I can say that it's always different. This recent tour with Mr. B. rocks my world. It's still work, but I enjoy what I've created as my schedule around their work schedule.

I actually wake up early. I know, don't you party every night and sleep until sound check? Nah... I get up early, warm up/practice for around an hour or so, hit the gym for an hour or two... yes, everyday if I can. It may sound obsessive, and it is a little, but the truth is when I'm home and not on tour, my workout time turns into my mom time. I always etch out good practice time but my workouts tend to be more sporatic and less concentrated on the home turf. For those who have known me for years, I was a personal trainer and a bit obsessed with keeping my muscles tight and as big and ripped as possible... then I became a mom and my priorities shifted radically. I still care about my health and how good my clothes look when they hang on my frame, but I don't care as much about my body fat percentage or the fact that my 6 pack is just a memory (sniff...)

So what else do I do? I like to explore, which is what I plan on doing. I'm actually taking a bit of a practice break while I type this. Being in Atlanta is a nice break from the casino circuit and I intend on at least taking the 20 minute or so walk to the local mall to window shop for an hour before packing for soundcheck/show! I find malls to be interesting since NYers don't experience them much. I also don't shop a lot at home (I'm the online queen, I admit it!) so it's fun to actually walk into a store and be able to try on and see stuff rather than just click and paypal or whatever!

Back to the lip bends and noodles... my chops have had almost too much of a break with my ramblings! I'm excited about tonights show, and super excited to get on a plane tomorrow to come HOME!!!! Can't wait to hug that baby of mine!!! :)

xo,
NP

Last night the show at Asser Levy Park in Brooklyn was great! I have no idea how many folks were out there, but I counted at least a squillion! Thank you to everyone who was out there, what an awesome gig!!!

What made it really amazing was that my daughter was there. And what made me super proud was that she decided she doesn't want to be a rock star. Whew, I was worried for a minute!!!

Half of the band went to Nathans to grab some famous hot dogs after soundcheck, and they really are great. But it's wierd, I don't remember calories being posted before... which made me skip the french fries (clocking in at over 1,000 calories!!! EEK!) My nice little doggie at around 300 with a bottle of water was just what I needed. I hadn't been to Coney Island in over a year... and of course my little one wanted to ride and play games but there just wasn't enough time (though we made time for cotton candy!) so we'll most likely have to venture out there again when I'm off the road for more than a minute!

Anyway, I thought I'd be more tired today. I even tried to nap, but ended up staring at the ceiling deciding what I needed to get done before picking my girl up from summer camp, so maybe I'll need a power nap later on - or maybe I'll need another cup of coffee!!!

I'm excited about life in general. Sometimes I can't believe how my life is unfolding, every day. Of course life has its ups and downs, but if you average everything together and keep a smile on your face, you'll hopefully find that you're at the higher end of the spectrum! Ride the high, keep it going, and when you hit a low, know that you can only go up from there!!!

Happy summer! Feel inspired and use sunscreen!!!

xo,
NP

Technically I'm still on "tour" but close enough to home to spend time with my family. Sent my daughter off to her first day of summer camp this year, and I'll know in a couple of hours if it's gonna be a good summer for her (last years camp was a bit of an organizational mess... needless to say, she's at a new place this year!)

It's so nice to be back in my own space, with folks I love (not that I don't love the band!!!).

I'm super excited about Thursdays gig, as it's close to home and FREE!

http://www.brooklynconcerts.com/seaside.html

Bring your own chair! I hope to see my local friends there!!!

Other things are brewing which are just amazing and inspiring. I hope everyone reading this is feeling inspired in their own way.

By the way, big shout out to Dan at CHOPSAVER for coming up with his new SPF formula! It rocks like the original formula, and it's not just for musicians...

http://www.chopsaver.com/

xo,
NP

Everyone can feel blessed because everyone is - you have to allow it to be your truth through action, rehabilitation, and belief in yourself. Sometimes what is perceived as "bad stuff" ends up being what you use to become better - if you choose to let it.

Be blessed - it's not a religious thing - it's just life as we live it. At the core, we all believe in the same things.

xo, NP

You young kids won't get the headline. ;)

Seriously, been on the road again for a hair over a week. Vegas was great fun, saw my friends/family from www.cleftadvocate.org and couldn't have been happier to connect again! I love the Oliver Family and finally got to meet *my* kids! :) Oh, and my *baby sister*, hehe. We're only a few years apart!!!

We stopped into Tucson AZ, and I swear I am not meant to breathe their air. It was a fun show but I was NOT myself that whole time. I think the dry heat kills me, I'm used to the humidity of NYC!

Off to "French Lick". Seriously. What a name! I had my doubts, 2 airplanes and a long bumpy bus ride through farm country, but we landed in the most amazing hotel. As soon as we walked in my breath kind of escaped me as I thought of how happy my Grandma (affectionally called Nanny) would have loved it here. It's exactly what she would want to experience, and if she were still alive I would tell her to pack her bags and make her fly out to stay here with me. So now I sit in my room blogging, wishing I were telling her to "Hurry up so we can have lunch and hit the spa, Nanny!!!" but instead I'm warming up ye olde horn, and getting ready to hit the gym.

It's funny how you go to certain places and sometimes someone you've lost immediately appears in your mind. My Mom would have liked this joint but this is too "Americana" for her. There was a hotel a few months ago that Mom would have had a blast at, of course it was a Nikko, I think.

Well, gotta finish tooting my horn so I can work off that lobster and strawberry shortcake I devoured at the fancy restaurant last night! Mmmm. Cholesterol.

I hope everyone is happy with what they're doing, and is experiencing the happiness they will allow themselves to experience!

xo,
NP

Sigh. Sometimes I can't believe how much *stuff* I have to do. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome. But I'd really appreciate a little more time to possibly nap, work out, have a decent meal... but again - I can't really complain given how happy every aspect of my life seems to make me.

Getting ready to hit the road soon but before that - I am singing backup again for Adama tomorrow night and can't wait! One thing that I've decided to work back into my life is more diligent dedication to practicing vocals as I do trumpet. If I can dedicate at least 20 minutes a day and hopefully more, I think I'll be SO much better than the sporatic things I do when I need to for a gig. I'd like to feel like I can flow in and out of vocal parts effortlessly rather than keep my fingers crossed while thinking too hard to fully enjoy what does flow.

The cool thing is the iphone. I've found that though the speaker is low (and I'm scared to zap the warranty by poking holes in the stupid membrane - but I'll probably go ahead and do it anyway!) I can listen to some mp3s of warmups and tunes I'm working on, and I can do this while cleaning, cooking, etc. I can't do the earphone singing thing. Have you ever heard someone with their headphones on, singing to whatever they're listening to? I mean, sure, maybe they're not great to begin with, but they're so obscured in their own ears that they think they're who they're listening to. It's fun but not functional for an actual musician - you need to really hear YOU and not you with Cassandra Wilson, or whomever. 'Cuz Cassandra rocks way harder than I do, and she covers up all my mistakes!

Anyway, I'm really excited to sing tomorrow night with Adama and crew. I play on a couple of tunes too which is such a flip from my usual play 99% and sing a few things. The band is kick *ss!

And I need to start packing for some touring. I'm excited to hit the road. I always miss my girl but we've talked so much about it that she probably can't wait for me to go! Haha! Not really but she understands what I do and knows that when I'm home I'm REALLY home and all hers. It's good, she's a strong kid and I love her more than anything or anyone anywhere (yes, I tell her that every day!)

xo,
NP

I never got to blog about the fun at the Zipper Factory with The Maestrosities! We had a blast, the band is hysterical. It's always fun playing and doing more than that - even the stalking was funny (at least, I think it was part of the act!)

The other guests were awesome too - Kenichi Ebina (dancing fool) and Tony Duncan (juggles 'til the room gets dizzy). I love being part of a show where I get to enjoy everything happening around me and with me and without me, and it was just one of those nights! Thank you to everyone!!!

Today I decided to throw my daughter an early birthday party. The problem with summer birthdays is not having the cool day in school with cupcakes and your Mom showing up and bringing goodie bags for everyone, so I made it happen 2 months early! The kids are so adorable, a bit rambunctious at times, but cute regardless, and my girl made me really proud (as always) for being a great kid!

Man, it's finally getting hot! It's apparently going to be in the 90s this weekend. Guess I'll be dressing light for Le Scandal Cabaret tomorrow night, I believe there will be fire breathing, eating, throwing - and hopefully not in my direction!

Enjoy the weekend, wherever you are!

xo,
NP

NJ Beginner Trumpet Camp
asian trumpet players
how dose the trumpet work
how hard is it to play trumpet females
ideal trumpet lips
is there such thing as a flugelhorn
sponegbobs
unicycle trumpet guy

There were so many searches in May, and thank you to those who have landed here whether you meant to or not!

If anyone knows who the unicycle trumpet guy is, please let me know. That is too cool. And for the person searching for a NJ summer music camp, if it's still around, I attended Fairview Lake for a couple of summers. It's a VERY short program and was not challenging like Interlochen, good for beginner/intermediate level players! BUT, this was a really long time ago so I won't vouch for them modern day! ;)

xo, NP

Any trumpeters out there know of this item?

http://www.vibrass.at/index_e.htm

I'm kind of curious and wonder how much better it is than the usual attractive *horse lip flutter*. Is it essentially the same? Is it useless? Hit my contact page and send a note! I'm always looking for items that may help in the warm up/warm down situation, especially before and after long shows (or when I'm feeling a bit lazy!)

Is it like those abdominal belts, only for the chops? Is it something that I'll regret buying, if I do?

Should I just stick to warming up and warming down?

Did I just answer my own question?

xo,
NP

"Hey Mom. Is the toilet a cemetary for food?"

xo, NP

Had a wonderful lesson with Laurie Frink today and feel like I'm finally finding the trumpet player I want to be. Through the magic of horrid sounding exercises and a better fit of a mouthpiece (the Loud 3z), my face seems to not fight the horn so much. I have been really looking forward to playing, even practicing mundane flexibility and strength exercises, given the results that have been coming out of that shiny bell.

I know a while back I blogged my frustration of playing such a high maintenance instrument. It's still true to some extent. I work my tail off when nobody is paying, listening, or caring, just to make those moments possible. I can't seem to just pick it up after a few days off and sound stellar. I can't bear to play in front of anyone without a proper warmup.

But then I find the satisfaction of all that hard work when I hit the stage and people like what they hear! I find the satisfaction that I have been disciplined enough to lock myself away in my little studio and endure the swollen chops, the physical pains associated with playing (nerve impingements and otherwise sore shoulders/arms), not to mention the hours I could have spent gallavanting around town, enjoying time with family and friends... I chose this instrument, or this instrument chose me. Whoever did the wooing back in the fourth grade, we're together and have a typical love/hate relationship.

I feel a bond with my instrument and the music it performs with me. We have great days, bad days, and so-so days. We get to a high altitude and I keep an eye on the oxygen lady. We fly overnight and I dutifully grab some ice and bring the swelling in my face down before a very long and quiet warmup. I find myself in hot or cold situations and keep adjusting my pitch with the slide and my jaw, emptying the endless spit valves, watching my chopsaver melt in the tube.

I buzz my lips or hold a pencil in my embrochure when I can't practice. I do things that look and sound ridiculous for my art, and I love it.

Where is this all going? It goes to dedication and questioning and committing. It's never easy but it is rewarding and brings many emotions to the forefront. I sometimes don't know how I would live without it if I had to!

xo,
NP

Back home! Minnesota was rocking. I was so happy to see my brother and his wife... we annihilated the buffet and had an awesome time catching up and being stupid in general!

Del Lyren and his wife and their friends also came up for the gig and I'm glad my chops held up (by a thread by the end, but I think it stayed intact!) Del is writing an article for ITG to be published within the next year on li'l old me, so I wanted to be on my game! It was great annihilating the buffet with them too, and having some great hang time! Thanks for making the long drive to the middle of somewhere - just not sure where! :)

I have been toying with my embrochure recently. Trumpeters are notorious for doing that, but I'm not. I'm safe with it, since it pays my bills. However, in addition to the rockin' lip slurs and strength training on the old choppers, I started to toy with pivoting. I just screamed out some extra fancy notes, and not just squeaked them, but actually played them as if I had been doing it for years! Solid. If you could see the stupid cheesy smile on my mug right now, you'd laugh but I'd laugh right with you - because it felt great! I'll be taking it slow of course, but I think I've found a good angle that allows my lips to NOT get moshed while playing up there - the only thing that worries me is my bottom teeth which I have problems with, anyway.

Good time to call the "jazz dentist" for a checkup, 'eh? (He plays trumpet and he "gets it" in general! You know, preserving without hurting the career!)

Anyway, time to get my boots on and get my girlie from school. Have I ever mentioned that I have the best kid, ever???

By the way, had some awesomely yummy BBQ last night - how exactly do they make a "beer can game hen"? I couldn't even taste the metal! ;)

xo,
NP

St. Lucia sure is beautiful... except for those pesky mosquitos! No matter how much bug spray I applied, they just seemed to work past it and into my sensitive skin. The ones on my cheek that resemble blemishes are especially fun. :/

However, the St. Lucia Jazz Festival was great! I was so floored to watch Air Supply... yeah, maybe I'm stuck in the past in some areas, but the truth is that anyone who can write hits that can transcend time like that deserves to bring the past to the present. Oh, right. My "boss" does that quite nicely as well, don't you think??? :) The crowd was awesome and wild! Thank you to everyone involved, it really was fun and an awesome experience. Especially the ride from the venue back to our fancy hotel. There were moments where my life flashed before my eyes, but we made it back safely and shaved off about 2 hours of traffic time.

Oh, the stories I could tell.

Meanwhile, this morning, I had an acupuncture treatment and it was rockin'. It's been many years since I've had this done. I'm all for alternative medicine, I get massage (and not the hotel style fluff stuff, the deep work, the work that moves things and dissolves things and makes you remember your experience every time you move for the next week!)... I love guasha and cupping (when I'm not doing shows, google these methods to see where your qi, or energy, surfaces!) It is amazing therapy that is like no other. I brew my own kombucha, stretch, exercise... I believe that maintenance is important. Why wait to take care of your health until you're sick? Why not maintain to avoid sickness?

Not having health insurance poses challenges for anyone, and many artists go without. And while we can't avoid or treat everything ourselves, why not keep as healthy as possible? Prevention rocks. I'll be back next week to once again become a human pin cushion. It's amazing when a needle goes in and you feel a surge of energy not only on the tsubo, but also along the meridian being treated, the organs involved, even your physical and emotional being. There was one needle that immediately made me nauseous, but about 10 seconds later it passed and I went through a feeling of lightheadedness, immediately followed by a sense of relief, as if something was becoming unblocked.

Perhaps it was an emotional release, perhaps physical, perhaps mental, who knows? All I know is that I left feeling whole, feeling as if the disconnected pieces are being pushed back together and with time I can connect with myself and continue to help myself and accept help.

Your health affects so many aspects of your life. Yeah, I drink a bit too much coffee. But I balance it in so many other ways that a bit of the Barista now and again is hardly going to pull my body apart into one of those jumbo puzzles with millions of pieces that all look the same.

Speaking of health, seems it's a good time to start winding down and getting ready for some sleep!

Excited to continue on the Bolton trail to Minnesota this weekend! Rumor has it that the show is sold out - gotta love a full room!

xo,
NP

Mexico City and Pueblo... those were some awesome shows! I wasn't sure how the big band stuff would go over, but apparently it's Big over there! And the Mole' sauce.... mmmm. The drive to the Pueblo gig was breathtaking, and despite the thin air and pollution, I did enough working out and breathing exercises and long warm ups to play some great shows!

I also would like to say that dinner the first night with the promoters and the band and crew was hysterical and delish. I haven't laughed like that in a long time! Let's just say that some key people donned sombreros, danced with the mariachi band, and generally cracked us all up, courtesy of some huge margaritas! (Good thing I don't drink, 'eh?)

Being home for 2 days is really nice. I've gotten a lot done, tons of quality time with my girl, and as if it weren't enough I've volunteered to chaperone a field trip tomorrow! WHAT??? I had fun last time and while my free time is short, I might as well spend it with my favorite kid in the world and her school buddies!

St. Lucia Jazz Fest coming up! I'm so excited!!! I've never been there, am in dire need of a tan, and rumor has it that folks like Dianne Reeves, Kenny Barron, Ron Blake, Eddie Henderson are playing the night before... and our night includes the one and only -
Air Supply!!!

I'm a dork. What can I say? It was my era.

I'm so grateful every day for everything in my life. This is such an exciting time! I just got my hard copy of The Brass Herald and it is shocking to me that I'm there! I'm forever thankful not only for everyone's support and help, but that invisible force that has been driving me to work hard. I'm constantly reevaluating my instrument, my methods, my weaknesses and strengths. Always open to changes to improve for the long haul. Some newer concepts I've been playing with seemed to help a lot very recently, and I'm continuing to explore. There is never an absolute right answer when it comes to art. The minute you stop exploring is the minute you cease being an artist!

xo,
NP

Hate to blog and run...

http://www.musicconnection.com/

Click on "Studio Mix"!

Thanks to Nic and all the guys at http://www.vocalbooth.com !!!

Smells like rain here in NYC! Makes my bones creak a bit, but other than that life is lovely.

I've been feeling really grateful despite shenanigans around me, involving me but not WITH me. This is so important and I suppose flattering. I have decided that the offender must hopefully know that he is on the radar as I haven't heard of anything since. I hope that's the case, I really don't like unnecessary confrontation, you dig? While some folks have told me to contact him directly or through one of my lawyers, I've decided for now he hopefully knows that I don't appreciate it and I hope he will no longer carry on as he was. If he does, well, then I'll need to pull in the legal guys.

Ah. I hate that stuff.

I'm so excited to wrap up Fire Island (and thanks to Gay City for the nice mention in their review!)

"Where are the muscled Chelsea Boys in Speedos? Although there is a lesbian couple (nicely played by Kiku Collins and Jennie Lee Mitchell, who also double as musicians)... DAVID KENNERLEY

Who knew I'd be mentioned in Gay City News???

I still need to pack for my jaunt to Mexico with the Bolton crew, and I'm especially excited to revive the Sugarhorn moves! I miss the band and Michael and can't wait to get out there, pour some hot sauce, and fire it up!

I'm also super excited about The Brass Herald issue coming out in the UK on May 1! It'll be in the US at Barnes and Noble mid June, but is also available online at www.thebrassherald.com . Special thanks to Philip and Alice Biggs and the rest of the crew! I'm really excited to see it all glossy and in actual print!

There's so much brewing in this little world of mine, I can't begin to explain. Plus some stuff is under wraps as it develops. But this noggin' just never ceases to stop. Whether it's working on lip flexibilities and pedal tones, writing new materials, being a better Mom than I ever thought possible...

Oh and this just in. Botox might cause brain damage. Duh. It's a disease. You're putting it in your system. I am the first to admit that I use good and expensive creams to keep my skin young. I drink tons of water. I don't drink or smoke and take care of myself as best I can. I always wonder why women go to such great lengths to try and look younger, by paralyzing muscles with diseases. In watching the news story, I noticed that most of these women also have those huge collagen lips, you know the type - looks like they can't speak even when they are speaking. Like it hurts. Funny story about the lips, when I play trombone for even 10 minutes, my lips look like that. So perhaps these women should carry a trombone mouthpiece in their fancy handbags and just give a long buzz to plump! I'm just sayin'...

Well, other than the botulism not being healthy and the plumpy lips looking like they'd blow a JJ Johnson solo, all seems usual and crazy in this world!

Hydrate, moisturize, and keep it real!

xo,
NP

Not only my nerve impingements from playing so much...

The person who misrepresents himself as being an integral part of my career is at it again. It's just annoying, and I hope nothing worse than that.

Other than that, it's a beautiful day here in NYC, 5 more Fire Island shows to go (the rest of the cast has 7) and I'll be off to Mexico and St. Lucia with Mr. B!

I've been feeling a strange sort of unmotivation very recently. I think it's just from overextending myself, and it's fine. I'm eating well, trying to nap when I don't sleep enough at night, even worked out this morning! Practicing as much as I can without hurting myself too much (oh, the arms... why now???)

Ok, one bad habit. I've been drinking one or two caffeinated sodas before the show. Caffeine makes me funny. Bubbles make me laugh. :)

xo,
NP

I seem to blog in waves, no?

About to turn in for the evening, but I've been thinking a lot about everything that makes the world go 'round.

There's such a balance of good/bad/inbetween that it sometimes gets a bit confusing. I mean, life is wonderful, I thoroughly enjoy everything. I am well loved by family and friends that matter most to me, and I return the love. I've never felt as fortunate as I have this past year in this, and just typing that makes me smile.

I think about career, the ups and downs. The frustration of playing such a high maintenance instrument. I'd like to take a break from it, but whenever I have in the past, it's come back to really haunt me. So I practice daily, every once in a while taking it easy. And it does pay off, as do my lessons with Laurie Frink. Without her I would probably have retired a year or two ago.

I feel so fortunate for so many things in my life, and sometimes I just feel like being sad. Being a freelance artist, in addition to being a parent, is at times very frustrating. Nobody gives me insurance for my daughter or myself. I don't get paid holidays. If I don't get any bookings, I have no income. It's a simple formula that makes me work as much as I can. And my off days, where I earn nothing are spent practicing, which is more work than actually working!

But of course, so many artists do not make a living with their art, so I smile because I have for quite a while, and hope to continue. I'd just like the benefits that folks receive when they clock in at *the office*. I work every day, and I work hard. It's been fairly recently that I've taken my craft seriously. The result is a mix of elation and frustration.

Ah, Sunday evening ramblings. I am insanely thrilled at how I feel when I play these days, when I sing, even *acting*. It's what being an artist is, for me anyway - the satisfaction of creating. Notes, sounds, spaces, emotions.

So I'm smiling and will remember how wonderful it is to be able to create these things, especially when I'm frustrated with the way things are for the artist.

xo,
NP

Dear Kiku,

I hope that my setting you on fire last night won't interfere with our
friendship. I promise it will never happen again and that if you're ever
standing near a tar-pit, I will not, under any circumstances, push you
into it; no matter how hilarious it might be.

Sincerely,

x*

*Name has been changed to protect the guilty