Bloody Toez’s Future

This blog will keep moving forward but of course updated. My interest in talent and creativity will show in my upcoming videos. In which, there will more opportunities for anybody to get their name out to the public. For artist that do anything regarding music, dance, painting etc. This is the time to show your creativity to the world!

I’m excited for what the future holds for this blog of mine! The future is near and it is looking very interesting! Bloody Toez’s is a once in a lifetime opportunity everybody! My name is Drew Sanborn and I willing to help get your story out there! Let’s show your creative ability and get started!

An American In Rio

Act 1: Smoldering, blazing sunset beaming on the eyes of an American in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He carries a suitcase and wears an ocean blue shirt that is unmatched by his red scarf. Entering a coffee shop that is filled with the overwhelming smell of coffee bean. Yelling is overpower the quiet conversations that were taking place in the shop. “Hurry up! we have customers! Hurry! Hurry!”

One worker runs out the door like he is running away from the bulls in Spain. The American was startled for a moment than recollect himself and began looking at the menu. “I will have a coffee, with cream and no sugar.” The owner nods and begins making the gentleman his coffee.

Act 2: Seating and staring at the last seconds of the sun setting, the American realizes he needs to make a phone call to a friend. Dialing away and simply waiting for a pick up. Suddenly,”Hello, Danny?” The American quickly answers,” Pedro! I am happy you picked up I was wondering if you wanted to meet me at The Joyce Theater tonight.” Pedro answers, “Sounds good Danny. Want me to bring the black bag? Danny pauses for a moment then says,”Yes, It is time. I will see you there in an hour.”

Hanging up the black cell phone the American finally gets his coffee from the owner. Sipping the hot liquid like it was lava rolling down the throat. Although, lava can sooth the stomach once it gets passed the throat. The young man began to leave the coffee shop and thanking the owner. The night life was lively like it was new years eve. Fireworks all over the sky and party lights were all the way down the streets covering the shops in Rio. Horns blaring and all of the locals were walking in the same direction that the American was going towards, which was forward.

Act 3: Walking into the Joyce theater was like squeezing a dozen marshmallows into your mouth at once. It was very difficult but just closely possible to get in the theater. Pedro waiting for Danny with a black bag and straight face like he had a gun to his head. Pedro appeared to be nervous and uncomfortable. Danny took the bag from Pedro,” Thank you.” Pedro answered,”knock them died!”

Danny found his seat and waited for the first performance. Hip Hop was the first dance that was performed on the Joyce stage. Many locals were clapping like it was big party that was never going to end. There were famous professional dancers that were judging the performers. The opening dance ended and Danny stood up and got on the stage. The audience gasped from what was in the black bag.

Danny opened the and pulled out ballet shoes. Then pointed at Pedro to start the music. Swaying, flowing, fierceness and nostalgic. The American’s performance was beautiful and broke people’s hearts. The dance had to do with his lost of a family member.

Act 4: The flow began to slowly be diminished by cries and silence. Pedro faded the music backstage. The crowd cheered with a roaring applause. Pedro was jumping up and down in excitement for his buddy. Danny stood up and took a bow for the crowd. Then left the Joyce theater with Pedro. One of the judges came running out of the Joyce to get Danny’s attention.”Hey you! wait up! What is your name?” Danny in shock said,”Danny Keitel.” The judge immediately offered him something that could change the American’s life forever.

The judge said,”Danny would you like to work with my company back in the U.S? We can discuss a salary later.” His eyes were gazing in the American’s betty little eyes.

Act 5: Danny woke up with a tapping on his back. “Sirrr!! Hello?” The worker from the coffee shop had a muffin for Danny. “Sir, you can have this ass whooping muffin that I just batch up, I had to get chocolate chips at the market. My bad, that it took so long, but you also fell asleep, so I did not want to wake you up.”

Danny disappointed that his dream performance was a nightmare because it was not true. His struggle for success and attention was still a reality. Although he understand that the festival at the Joyce was coming up. There is hope, but for now he has to enjoy a crappy cup of coffee in Rio. The worker said,” Sir, we have to close in a minute so stuff that muffin down your throat and get out!” The American smiled and just took his muffin and walked on the streets of Rio and enjoyed the nightlife.

One Of The Greats

The most famous jazz drummers in the bepop era in the nineteen sixties was Max Roach. For most of my post I have talked about struggling artist but Max was the only one that never struggled. He is more of a role model for all those who have and will have troubles in the arts. Roach started playing professional at the young age of twenty years old. His smooth touch of the cymbals made him so good. Musicians that worked with Max were, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Dizzie Gilizeppe and much more.

Max worked on forty albums in his career. He did more than just Jazz too. All different types of genres of music were done by him on the drums.

Later in life, Roach became a producer, composer and a professor at Umass Amherst. He gave his talents to many students and the knowledge that was in his brain. Max Roach gave an amazing legacy that will never be forgotten. The great passed away on 2007. Although, many artist that struggle today look up to him and found inspiration.

SYTYCD

So You Think You Can Dance is a T.V show that focuses on all genres of dance. There are all different types of talents from these individual dancers. For the dancers it is important to show their own personalities on stage. This provides them with more fans to understand the dancer as a person not just a performer. I had the privilege to meet one of the shows rising stars.

His stage name was called, “Twitch”. Although his real name was called Stephan Boss. Twitch was originally known for his hip hop style of dances. His solos are what made him popular on the show. Personally I remember watching his solos with my twin sister, who is a phenomenal dancer, by the way. Just watching him goofing around and having fun while dancing made me inspired.

The strength of his ability to always leave an audience smiling from laughter or amazement by his talent seemed to come at ease for Stephan.

On the last show Stephan did a soft ballet performance that led into a lyrical that made audience hearts melt away. The joker of Twitch had a soft spot for a moment and it was a beautifully touching sight to see. The two dancers were in perfect harmony. This particular dance turned Stephan from a struggling dancer from Philly to a professional dancer. Twitch is now working for the Ellen DeGeneres show as a DJ and dancer. So You Think You Can Dance also has him on the show as a dancer choreographer. This T.V show has given unknowns a shot for becoming the next big thing. Lastly, for any struggling dancers this show is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to make dance a profession.

One And A Million

In life, we overcome obstacles and situations that sometimes are hard to breakthrough. There is something needed to keep a musical artist to stay mentally and physically stable. Most people that want to be the next up and coming stars never really put the hard work to do it. Then there is that one and a million rare talents that come into this world.

Creativity and performing in your own unique style can lead musicians to success. Getting jobs as an average drummer can be very difficult. If you are any thing but average and have your own personal style, this can be easy to get a job. Being able to be creative in all genres of music not just Jazz can be essential to ones future.

If a Jazz drummer can mix heavy metal with Jazz it can draw a large quantity of fans. The diversity that would be around one person would be mind boggling. Every highly successful musician would want to work with an artist that shows a lot of diversity. The strength of professionalism that knowing the music by heart will show amazing artistry. improvisation is also very important not just for a Jazz drummer but a drummer in general.

Being able to be creative in all genres of music not just Jazz can be essential to ones future.

To be able to do an improvisation shows a rare skill for drummers especially for once that know all genres of music. Drumming is an art form that shows clarity by the use of two hands and one brilliantly musical mind.

The Crazed, Driven Man From Greenwich Village

“Shots fired! Shots fired! Somebody call nine one one!” A man with a beard having his eyes flashed from the local policeman. Sirens ringing all around the neighborhood like an alarm clock on the first day of junior high. Although, these sirens were for a situation that turned to great violence and tragedy. This was not a first day at school this was a human beings love being lost because his life was on the line.

Johnny Greenwood leaved in the apartment complexes in The Village. Johnny was 49 years old and he loved to play the drums. His main focus was Jazz drumming. The only problem was that he didn’t have sticks or drums. Metal spoons from his kitchen were his sticks.

After while, they got bend a lot from Greenwood banging them everywhere he could. One day his good friend Mikey got him drum sticks but he didn’t say were he got them. Johnny without a care in the world grabbed the wooden sticks and began banging them everywhere he went. On the train, in the park, on a bench, on a tree, literally anywhere at anytime that is all Johnny was doing on this sunny august day.

Buddy Rich songs were being played in Johnny’s head all day and he put on performances in the streets with his sticks and buckets. A few quarters dropped into his hat. Turned out to be a fun and eventful day. Who knows maybe he can become a professional at Jazz drumming. Anyway that is was he was aiming for.

A strange man approached Johnny as he arrived back home in The Village. “Are those my drum sticks?” Johnny very confused kept walking passed the man. Johnny tried to run but the strange man pointed a gun at his face. “I missed a performance that could have changed my future forever!!” “You stole from me!!” Johnny sweating from fear and confusing. Johnny said,” there mine, there my sticks!”

Multiple shots were fired in The Village. Johnny’s friend Mikey shot the old crazed man right in the back while the crazed man shot Johnny right in the head. The crazed man and Johnny laid still together each one holding a wooden stick while both sticks slowly left their hands. Mikey was in total shock. “Shots fired! Shots fired!” A neighbor hollers out to warn fellow neighbors that were outside.

The police arrived hours later flashing a light into Johnny eyes and they were wide open. Lights were flashing and sirens ringing in The Village by the end of a hot summer August night.

The Choreographer’s First Show

The Unspoken

For this round-up post I will be covering how most ballet dancers feel a certain pressure to have their body become skinny and nothing else. This can be a problem for some dancers that are not naturally skinny.

My twin sister was the reason that dance appeared in my life. Her recitals would happen every year once a year. On the last recital she performed one of her good friends could not show up for some reason and all of the dancers were very curious why. After the recital Zoe found out that this particular dancer had developed an eating disorder because she was forced to lose weight before competitions for the summer. This young dancer had to go in for treatment for at least a ten week span. For me personally I felt that this was a tragic moment that seems to affect many dancers, not only the ones that live it but the dancers that are around it. When I was slowly walking down the stairs my mind had a drive to have a tiny felling of stigmata. Then as my family left the building after congratulating my sister and realizing the reason for her friend’s absence, it really was a tonality that felt uncomfortable but supportive towards my sister and her fellow dancers. The stigmata was more towards my sister’s dance teacher who encouraged the high amount of weight lost for her dancers. Changing ones body for another’s happiness can show power over one individual. This to me was not right but of course there was nothing I could do about this situation but let it sail away.

Although, for dancers that feeling of immense pressure to lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time, can show panic. The panic can lead to an unhealthy drop of weight. Fifty five percent of ballet dancers suffer from an eating disorder. Many dancers do not speak up because they want to strive for greatness. For most dancers point of view, starving themselves can only lead to perfection. Sadly, this is the reality for ballet dancers right now.

The whole purpose of dance is to be self-critical but to also be self-conscious. One ballet dancer suffered bulimia at the age of fifteen and is now twenty-two. Is there a time to say enough is enough? The brave and inspiring young woman was Victoria Ferguson. There are few dancers that speak up and stop this dangerous cycle and she was one of them. After getting treatment for fourteen weeks Victoria spoke up. She said, ” It affected my mind and social relationship because I was being so secretive.

Sometimes there are dancers that strive to lose weight and sometimes end up costing their dancing careers. Some dancers live on crackers and water for weeks. This is simply not a healthy way to live by any means. In a way it is truly a nightmare that anybody can eat that way and a nightmare that is hard to escape from without being scared.

Natalie Portman on losing weight, was nothing but a reality for ballet dancers that are in competitive dancing. Her awareness that an essential lifestyle for a dancer is to eat very little was very important. This also showed her dedication to gaining knowledge of keeping a dancer’s body for the oscar winning film for best actress, “Black Swan”. Her ribs sticking out and her shortness in breath showed the common struggle with the combination of eating disorder’s being a usual practice in ballet dance.

The Boston ballet in the late 90’s had a death for a ballet dancer with an eating disorder. Her name was Heidi Guenther. This five foot three-inch young woman died at one hundred pounds. The Boston ballet pleaded her two lose weight but it was too late. When Heidi did not make the Boston ballet at first they told her to lose five pounds. Then she made it in the Boston ballet. Sadly, this became a habit for her, to lose a hight amount of weight.

With my sister’s friend she felt the same. If I lose weight I can succeed. Amazingly, she has recovered and is sharing her stories with young dancers today. If you are a dancer or someone you is struggling with an eating disorder speak up and seek help immediately. There is no need to take your life.

“Philly Joe” Jones And His Addiction Off The Drums

Jazz drumming is always at a constant tempo. Always banging in your ear. The tone of the beat is either louder or softer but is always there and reminding you that it will not go away. There are many nights were sometimes Jazz drummers need something to keep them up and alive. unfortunately this is what happened to Philly Joe Jones. It was the mid 50’s when Jones was in his prime. He worked with the great Miles Davis and was a part of the Miles Davis Quintet. Miles Davis was so great because he gave his all into his work. If that means playing countless hours on one song, then better believe that Miles was going to do that.

For Jazz the Bebop era was the prime for Jazz drumming. Jones wanted to make a name for himself and show greats like Davis that he could not only keep up with them but excel. Philly Joe Jones also worked with Bill Evans on tours and studio work. Every musician wanted Jones to play the drums for them in one of their songs. Philly Joe finally was making a name for himself.

The addiction became a problem when his music career became more and more busy. His time schedule was getting cramped and Jones needed something to keep him stable. heroin was his drug of choice and he seemed to do it constantly. Whenever he got the chance he would use it. Nobody really knew about his struggle with heroin and Jones did a good job keeping it a secret.

Miles Davis at the time was also addict to heroin and it became an issue for him also. For both Jones and Davis it became more an importance to get high than to play their music. Davis ended up quitting his drug use while sadly Jones could not stop. Then Davis fired Philly Joe Jones and he was off the Quintet. It was 1958 and Jones was fired from the Miles Davis Quintet and highly addicted to heroin.

Then John Coltrane gave Jones a shot in his band. Jones had the ability to have an extremely strong beat on four. The “Philly lick” off the rim was well-known. It was his own style of symbol work that caught a lot of artist eyes and simply amazed them. His style on the cymbals were very aggressive and this was got Coltrane’s attention. Also this was the reason the great Miles Davis first liked Jones.

“Philly Joe”, was known as a notorious con man on the streets. He did anything to get keep his drug use a float. Drugs were always around him and he could not stop. Although, his drumming carrier was still on top of this world he still struggled. He had a great personality he would smile from ear to ear all the time like a clown. Never did he indicate that he had serious personal issues. Jones was the jokester and the one that always make the negative times positive.

During the sixties, Jones was reaching his peak and at the end of his career “Philly Joe” had done over 500 recordings. His amazing depth of knowledge of how to perform on the drums was simply breathtaking. His style of aggressive but unique Jazz drumming was something he could call his own. He was thought as one of the most important drummers in Jazz history. His sad life with the trouble of drug addiction stopped in his late forties. “Philly Joe” Jones passed away at a young sixty-two from suffering a heart attack.

Easter With Luka

Hope Everyone had a great Easter Weekend! I know I did!

Thankfully, I got to spend time with my family in my hometown. I made a dip with my little brother Will that was out of this world. It was gone with in the first hour that we put it on the table. To be honest, I was happy and disappointed because I did want to bring some back to school with me but, I was happy that our dip was a big hit. The main reason that this dip vanished so quickly was because of my little cousin Luka. He is three years old and he devoured the dip, that me and Will made. The vacuum that we call a mouth of his was clearly on full blast!

Anyways, my sister was showing clips on her phone of her latest dance that she has been choreographing for her school. She always likes to update us on new dances that she is excited to show us. Luka jumped on Zoe’s lap to try to see the dancers that were shown on the little screen that was Zoe’s phone. His eyes lit up and it really was the cutest thing you could see a three-year old do. Although, I was in for a surprise that day.

Luka got off Zoe’s lap and began dancing like a ballerina. He always finds a way to steal the spotlight. Zoe changed the video to put her ballet music on for Luka since he was already starting his performance like he was in the Apollo theater. Everybody wanted to pinch his cheeks but of course, we all just watch the little kid dance around. We gave him the attention because he was a future dancer in our eyes. Could he be just like my twin sister Zoe? I guess we will wait an see.

Luka asked to watch more videos of dancing on Zoe’s phone. Then all Zoe and Luka did was watch more videos of dancing the whole time. Whenever and wherever we were talking or eating they thought about dancing. Zoe got Luka hooked and he thought it was the coolest thing he had ever heard of or seen in front of his little ocean blue eyes. He was floating on top of his love and excitement of dancing. He wanted to just float on top of the thought of dancing all day long. Clearly, this is something he wanted to do for a long time until of course he got fed some chocolate cake. Then his body would slowly but surely get tired and his hyper body would ware off. His legs could stop jumping around to music and his overall performance would finally come to an end. Sadly, but for the rest of us were satisfied and pleased that the performance of Luka’s dancing was over.

Lastly, Easter with Luka was filled with smiles, non stop movement, joy and happiness. That is was what dance does to you it creates an overall happiness that can not be stopped. Although, only if you eat a slice of chocolate cake that makes you very tired. Then the pirouettes will end and the snoring will begin. Easter with Luka was great and I can not wait until next year to spend it with him.