Hey there, Gang!

Welcome to the Nu Shooz summer newsletter. June 21st is the 47th anniversary of the very first Nu Shooz gig. (Wow… 47?) It’s also the month of Father’s Day, so we’re sending along a little story about our father-and-son journey as artists and our song, “Right Before My Eyes.”

The first incarnation of Nu Shooz played their first gig on June 21st, 1979, at Colonel Summer’s Park in Southeast Portland.

Rehearsals had begun just a month earlier, half a block away. This was before the big horn band of the early 80’s. The original lineup had just four members and played a crazy mixed bag of tunes: Beatles, Motown, and original Jazz Fusion stuff. Valerie was in the audience with our friend Mira (another Shooz alum). They had their fingers in their ears. There were maybe three other people in the audience, and the sound man. This band bore little resemblance to what it would become a little over one year later. If you’re interested, here’s a link to a series of short videos chronicling the history of the band from that first gig through the mid-80’s. It’s been an incredible journey, with over 50 performers playing with the band throughout the years! We sincerely appreciate everyone who contributed, including you, for joining us on this journey.

Our son Malcolm was born in 1995, right in the middle of the “Go-go 90’s.” I (John) was working 70 hours a week doing music during the heyday of the 30-minute infomercial. It seemed like every day when I came home from work, he was a little different, a little more articulate. By the time he was three and a half, he had discovered what would be his lifelong passion: drawing. From that time up to the present, we worked on stories together: “Mad Scientist Comix,” “The Mutant Chronicles,” and of course, “Momo and Neener.”

That journey inspired the Nu Shooz Orchestra song “Right Before My Eyes.” Below is a link to both the video for the song and the story (which Malcolm animated). We’d like to dedicate both to everyone who takes the time to be with the young people they love. Remember to savor every moment. How quickly it all goes by!

And finally…

We have a couple of recommendations for you!

Austin Kleon has just released his fourth book, “Don’t Call It Art.” Austin’s the NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author of “Steal Like an Artist.” The new book is about 10 artistic lessons he learned from his kids. Once again he displays his usual blend of wit, wisdom, humor, and heart. Highly recommended for the kid in you!

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you need to know about the Shoestring Circus!

They played here in Bellingham this month and will be in Olympia, Puyallup, Vancouver, WA, Seattle, and Port Townsend this summer. Their shows are sweet and funny, and feature some of the best jugglers and acrobats in the world. The cast includes former members of Cirque du Soleil. Every year they have a different storyline. This year’s theme is “Dreams.” Check ‘em out if you can, and you’ll be hooked for life.

That’s all for now.