eisprl

Hello everyone, (The new addition is under the line about half way down)

I just thought I would share with you my experiences over the past couple days. First off I saw Ingrid Jenson on Sat night. She gave a work shop/clinic on the Fri beforehand which was pretty cool (however, they looked tired and didn't really want to be there, I could tell). The show rocked and they came into our bar of choice after the show and we all sat had talked over a couple pintes.

That was the weekend.

NOW!!

Ever since I heard that the one and only Jens Lindemann was coming to Moncton (.5 hour from my school) I had to contact him for a lesson. It took almost the whole academic year but I finally received a responce. He said I could meet with me the Mon of his show in the pm. They were a little late because some dufus gave them bad directions to the church. They showed up and realized that they forgot Jennifer's music. He introduced himself and grabbed me and we went on a little trip back to the hotel, treating me as if he knew me for years. I explained my plans about auditioning for a pro gig. He said, "You're going to win it!" even before he heard me.

We got back to the church and began our lesson. I had chosen Haydn, Vigen de la Macarena and if time, Carnaval (Staigers). He dumped all that and said, "You have a beautiful tone and THAT'S what we want to show off, you are going to play the Hindemith and, the Arutunian and something pretty on the Flugel. Far be it for me to argue I was just happy that he liked my sound.

That night he gave a purely magical performance and we all went out to a martini bar and ordered pizza.

When the lesson was over, he said "We are not done yet, when can I see you again on this tour?" I didn't know what to say, my pockets only go so deep. But it's not everyday you get an offer like this. I came back the next morning for an 8am lesson before he left for Fredricton. We ended up in this little storage room in the back of the hotel because nothing else was avaibale. After the lesson, he said that I better get my ass to Annapolis Royal, NS because we are still not done yet. Now this involves some driving (5 hours on my part). I am leaving today and my next meeting is with him tomorrow at 5pm. It is worth the missed classes, he is the most amazing human being and teaching the trumpet is so second nature to him.

It really is amazing when your #1 hero gives you such attention and will do anything he can to insure your successes. Jens, if you read this, I want you to know that I am incredibly in your debt and I loved our time together this past week. You are and will remain my #1 influence. I will do anything I can to make it to the Banff ITG conference.

_______________

Ok, I have had my last lesson with him while he is in Atlantic Canada.

We met in Annapolis Royal (Beautiful place - he really liked it alot and it's only .5 hours away from my home town). We had our lesson in the theatre and since the piano was not there yet, Jennifer and their Road manager (I think that's who it was) went to go eat. After Jens and I had finished lessoning, we went to join them. As we were walking down the side walk I found myself in a very privileged position. I mean here I was walking down the street of what appeared to be this little abandoned harbour town with Jens Lindemann. I really felt like Arturo when he met Dizzy (great movie "For Love or Country" watch it).

We got to this little Polish Restaraunt. Jennifer and Neil were leaving and so it was just Jens and I. We both ordered the Schnitzel (on his dime might I add). As we were leaving he invited the little old Polish lady to the concert with promices of two comp. tickets. (I also received a comp ticket) so generous.

After the first piece (Handful of Keys) after the intermission, he actually acknowledged me as a trumpet student who drove 5 hours to get a lesson with him and two others earlier in the week). He wished me luck on my audition in front of the entire audience. (He also made reference to my friend Richard who is a local high school band director and thanked him for bringing out some students to watch - Richard man, I know you are reading this, good on ya! I hope you had a good time, you never asked any gear head questions though that I know of).

Anyway, this is incredibly long if you haven't read the first half so I will wrap up. Some time soon I would like to put up some lesson notes (on MY website).

I hope everyone enjoyed my stories of the past week or so. (FYI: we worked on the Arutunian, Hindemith and the second Profile for trumpet (mv't II) by Fisher Tull, hand written out by Jens himself while he was on the road between our lessons.

Hope you all enjoyed my story and if you have not yet had the pleasure and extreme honour to hear Jens (or meet him), I reccomend making it a top priority

Peace

richbenn

Eric,

Yah, actually I DID get a chance for a couple of "gearhead" questions before the concert. I concur. This guy is class all the way. Congrats on the most amazing week of your life, pal!

eisprl

You know you're a gear head when....your list of equipment in your signiature is longer than your posting.....whoops guess that means I'm a gear head as well.

Eric