10|28|2008 | Autumnal Reflections
The fall of the year is in full swing and things are still rolling along just as quickly as ever. Exciting gigs coming up include the debut of Ben Thomas' new band, a couple of Maleboxxx hits, my first evening with Madeline Forster, stuff with Mark Filsinger, and soon, the return of Bending and Breaking with a new configuration. My teaching schedule is finally slowing down a bit, but more musical opportunities are popping up in place of those things, which is great. Everybody, PLEASE remember to vote on November 4th, and have a say in what direction our country turns. It couldnt be more important than it is right now.

09|15|2008 | Upcoming Events
Many great things happening lately! Two shows at my home away from home, Trane Studio in Toronto (this Wednesday and Thursday, 17 & 18...make the trip!) followed by two more gigs in the US with Brownman (join us Friday night at Hardware Cafe in Buffalo, 11pm hit). Ill be part of the Eastman Jazz Showcase on Sept 24 in Kilbourn Hall, and then will follow that up with back to back weekends of Maleboxxx gigs, first at Venu on the 26, and then at Starry Nights on the 3rd. Come check it out!

07|29|2008 | Busy end to july...
The end of July has been a busy one for me. I am involved with a bunch of different kinds of projects and that makes it fun and keeps things fresh. I played a gig with Bill Tiberio Group, which has not happened often lately...then was the house drummer for Rochester Summer Stars program, basically a summer camp for kids who want to be Broadway stars. TOTALLY different vibe from when I went to jazz camps in high school, but it was run by people who were great at what they do, so it was fun. Bending and Breaking played at Boulderfest to a total crowd of 3...one was the soundman, one was Ian's dad (Ian was playing guitar), and one was a friend of Geoff (bass). Still, the lineup sounded great, with 2 tpts (hart and reed) plus kloss and saunders holding down the rhythm section.
This week I have been recording with Ben Britton (www.benbrittonjazz.com) and Jay Willis (great Buffalo piano player, http://cdbaby.com/cd/jaywillis) plus playing for the Fairport HS summer musical FAME. I love the variety. All of this plus teaching my students in Buffalo has made a trip to the DMV nearly impossible. Sorry Dad. Hopefully August is equally fruitful.

07|04|2008 | Future Plans
Summer is here, and with it comes a lot of change for me. I am beginning my studies towards the Master of Music program at Eastman in the fall, focusing on Jazz Drumset. I am excited to see how this goes. Bending and Breaking is all but dissolved in its popular form, with Will making the move to NYC, Stuver having his daughter and moving to Philly and Pete trekking off to Boston in September. Stalwart Geoff remains, and we have plans to continue playing the B+B book with new musicians, as well as a trio project with Chris Ziemba, tentatively titled "MaleBoxx". I will be playing at Boulderfest, with an entirely new lineup of musicians on July 26, so check that out. Also, a tip of the hat goes to the couple of gigs i played during the Rochester Jazz Fest with the band "Normal Dan"...Pete Fanelli, Tom Lowrey, Geoff Saunders and Curtis Ostle provided some swangin' musical experiences for me and it was a lot of fun!
Upcoming:
September--Aaron Staebell does Toronto AGAIN
September--Brownman Electryc Trio tours Upstate NY
Contact me for more info!

05|04|2008 | AARON STAEBELL NIGHTS ON HOLD
It appears that Boulder Coffee Co is headed in a different direction with their Tuesday nights. Lots of other bands are booked for Tuesday nights, unbeknownst to me until we showed up two weeks ago to play only to be turned away at the door. If you like indie-rock or blues/chops-laced groove music, check out Boulder for the next three Tuesdays. If not, we hope to be back soon so keep checking in for B+B dates at Boulder and other places around Rochester.

Also, if you are interested in this....studio times have been thrown around for this summer. Look for Bending and Breaking's debut album hitting your face in Fall 2008!

04|28|2008 | Toronto Gigs=Great Success!
The gig in Toronto was a great success, and a lot of fun. The Trane Studio was buzzing on Wednesday, and especially on Thursday nights. The people, food, atmosphere, music and culture of Toronto were something to take in and enjoy. Props to Brownman and publicist Andrew MacIntosh, for all the work they did. The Trane Studio gigs were the "Critic's Choice" in the Toronto Star, apparently one of the biggest newspapers in the city! Click the link to see full story, or just read below. The next Toronto gigs will be even better! Looking forward to coming back!

TONIGHT (4/23)

New York drummer Aaron Staebell makes his Canadian debut at Trane Studio with original compositions in the company of pianist Dave Restivo, trumpeter Brownman and bassist Tyler Edmond. The 23-year-old has played with heavyweights Wycliffe Gordon and Pat LaBarbara and is an occasional member of Brownman's Electryc Trio. Brownman describes his colleague as "energized and eclectic and a weirdo you don't want to miss." Preview him at aaronstaebell.com. (9:30 p.m. $10. 416-913-8197.)

04|07|2008 | Toronto Debut
I am very excited to announce that my first appearances in Canada will take place later this month. I will be presenting two nights of my music at the Trane Studio in Toronto, Ontario. I will be joined by my hoagie-loving pal "Brownman", who could basically get any girl he wants in Canada (because of his trumpet skills). Brown has hooked up this two night showcase, and when we are finished there, we are heading back to Buffalo for an Electryc Trio gig at Allen St Hardware (and possibly a Rochester performance? We'll see...)

If you are in Canada on April 23-24, or know any Canadians, Id be psyched to see you/them. More information at www.tranestudio.com or please email me at aaron@aaronstaebell.com.

03|03|2008 | B+B to perform with the Vijay Iyer Trio
Bending and Breaking will be appearing as part of the "Art of Jazz" series in Buffalo, NY with the Vijay Iyer Trio. This double bill is going to be very exciting. Vijay's groups always sound great. It will happen on March 16th at 2pm. Check the Knox website for ticket info.

02|09|2008 | Tuesdays now AARON STAEBELL night at Boulder Coffee Co!
TUESDAYS are now Aaron Staebell Night at Boulder. Bending and Breaking (my band) will still be playing every other Tuesday night. But on the OTHER other tuesdays, its going to be a series of performances that I will sort of curate for. Sometimes it will be a project of mine, other times a project of a friend, and some nights a kind of wild card, where we improvise or create in the moment. Any Tuesday night at Boulder is going to be HAPPENING from now on! Please come out and support your friendly neighborhood musicians!

02|03|2008 | Not one of America's Best Young Jazz Composers
Today I found out that ASCAP does not think I am one of the best Young Jazz Composers in America. I did not win their contest, for which I submitted "Nathaniel Hill" (click LISTEN above to hear it). Well, thats too bad. Even on Project Runway, sometimes a really good designer does not win. Such is life/reality TV. Maybe next year.

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