Although we had been playing together for several years, this was our concert debut in San Diego. I thought it was an excellent chance to introduce people to the music we had been forming. The program was a wide array of new originals, old originals, and a few classics by our heroes.
At this time we were working on the first CD (promises), and we thought this
was the perfect time to showcase some of that material. Up to this time most
of our gigs were as a trio, but I thought this was the perfect time to extend
our working relationship with Ward Baxter (previously Ward had a long relationship
with Lee in Saxtet, now the Spectrum
Quartet, as well as combos with various lineups of RTO and guesting on
promises), so the second half of the concert was quartet. This was also the
first time time the complete version (with poem) of silverfish was heard.
--Nathan Hubbard
This was our first concert as a complete quartet, and a chance to play some
new tunes. I had previously studied at Palomar, so this was a great opportunity
to reconnect with former teachers and let them know what RTO had been up to.
For this concert all is silent was added onto starsong with the poem connections(you
are) added in the middle. This was also (possibly) the debut of the quartet
version of a search for truth (previously this was scored for wind orchestra
and later condensed for quartet). The funniest portion of this concert was
the elderly gentleman who immediately came onstage after the concert to look
at the music on Josh’s stand. I think he wanted some proof that we were
actually playing music.
--Nathan Hubbard
Another strange gig. This one came about by walking in to the gallery and
asking if they ever had live music. I left my card, two hours later Robert
Walker called me and after 15 minutes RTO had a gig (never mind that the CD
wasn't done). The concert came off very well, we were even able to display
all of Stellas paintings that corresponded to the compositions on the CD.
This was the only time parabolic flower has been played live. Also, we had
the good fortune of Kate Conklin coming to sing with us on a couple more recent
tunes (lonesome tree, secrets). And my father showed up!
--Nathan Hubbard