Purple Schmutz video on YouTube – Jimmy’s Schmendrix

Purple Schmutz (https://youtu.be/LTYmrNJp3m8) –

Live performance on April 11, 2015 at the Encinitas Public Library with Yochanan Sebastian Winston, Mark Danisovsky and Joe McNalley

V’nislach L’Chol Adat from the 2015 Alternative Kol Nidre Service at Beth El, La Jolla

Original setting of the Hashkivenu prayer from the Machzor. Played at the September 22, 2015 Alternative Kol Nidre Service of Congregation Beth El in La Jolla, CA. Musicians include Roberta Winston, soloist; Yochanan Sebastian Winston, bass flute, director and composer; Mark Danisovsky, piano; Ben Graubart, violin; Erdis Maxhaleku, cello and Joe McNalley, contrabass. The piece is ASCAP and all rights are reserved. If you’re interested in performing the piece, just send me a message or an email and we can get you the music.

Kol Nidre Alternative Service, 2015 at Congregation Beth El, La Jolla CA

Ribono Kol Ha Olamim, by Yochanan Sebastian Winston (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved

Traditional, outlaw klez by Jimmy’s Schmendrix (don’t forget to inflate your shoes…)

Jimmy’s Schmendrix Arkestra Experience – Live video of Purple Schmutz

Outlaw Klez!!!!!

With Mark Danisovsky and Joe McNalley at the Encinitas Public Library, April, 2015

Look out! Are you experienced?

Original music incorporating the esthetics of jazz, traditional Jewish music, The Mahavishnu Orchestra and of course, The Experienced One – Jimi

Megillah Reading with Jimmy’s Schmendrix!!!!!

Don’t miss a wild Megillah Reading and the debut performance of Jimmy’s Schmendrix, my new outlaw klezmer band with Joe McNalley​ and Mark Danisovszky​.  Free admission.  Eyn freilache Purim bridern!

What a Valentine’s Day!

This year (2015), I played an engagement party in Del Mar for Valentine’s Day.  So romantic!  I’ll most likely be playing their Jewish wedding in June, either with my chamber music quartet “Sebastian With Strings” or solo with “SoloYo.”  I used to get down playing lots of weddings, much preferring concerts, recording sessions, corporate entertainment and doing instrumental synagogue services, but now I really enjoy them.  I think it’s because I’ve gotten more mature and can see the time coming when my own children will be standing under a chuppah.  Anyway, mazel tov to the beautiful couple and happy families!

5th Fridays at Beth El – January 30, 2015

Hey everyone!  Wonderful to see so many of you out last Friday January 30 for the 5th Fridays Service!  Hope to see you all at the next one on May 29th.  Here’s a pic of the band.  Shabbat shalom, y’all!

My “new” 57 year old Mark VI alto saxophone

I can’t quite believe that this actually happened to me. These are pictures of my “new” Selmer Mark VI alto, #80xxx, made ca. 1958. Original lacquer – 100%(!); original pads(!), cork died (well, ok).

An older gentleman received this as a gift from his grandmother in 1958, he can no longer play it because of an injury but he wanted it to go to someone who CAN play AND is also a teacher. Teaching doesn’t pay particularly well but sometimes, just sometimes, you get these unexpected little blessings.

I want to thank the kind and sweet gentleman who chose to sell it to me at about 1/3 of what it could have fetched in the marketplace. I also want to thank my friend and former student John Avila for putting us together. It’s rare to get an instrument that you know you will never have to upgrade (‘cuz there ain’t ‘zactly an “upper” to upgrade to!)  Oh, by the way – throughout it’s long life, it has NEVER yet been to a repair person but plays as is anyway.  Weird.  Pads look new.  Can’t wait to get it playing perfectly – Valéri Ugorski is on that as we speak…

I usually play a lot of soprano on my b’nai mitzvah gigs and tenor on my corporate and private events.  I think I’ll have to figure out some cool ways to incorporate this bad boy into the active artillery.  Perfect for jazz gigs and SoloYo, for sure.