Author: Benjiatblast

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Uncategorized

Japan Round 3hree!

It’s time! After two long years I’m heading back to Japan! And even longer since I updated any posts on my website blog. Ideally I’ll be trying to update this as often as I’m posting videos. I’m actually about to leave for the airport here in about an hour to kick off this third round with Blast! The Music of Disney. I’m extremely excited to get back with this show and wonderful cast as well as get to spend four months in Japan! Check back regularly for updates but for now check out my first vlog for this year!

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General

The Rafter Sessions and PASIC 2016!

Lots of exciting things have been happening recently in Greensboro despite the lack of posting I’ve been doing on this website.  The first UNCG Graduate Percussion Ensemble concert occurred last Tuesday on November 1st.

And over this last weekend, myself and fellow graduate student, Korry Friend, recorded all of the current published marimba duets by Ivan Trevino!  During the session I managed to get a stellar camera angle which has led us to call this set of recordings the “Rafter Sessions.”  They turned out great and set up the week great for PASIC 2016 in Indianapolis!  (BTW, Excape X is premiering a new marimba duet by Ivan called “2300 Degrees” on their session Friday)

You can check out the recordings here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWyu3EosY4C4yrWPjbH8zWiBsjbI4AxyB

 

I’m extremely excited for PASIC for a number of reasons.  Dr. Eric Willie is opening the conference with the first performance on Wednesday night.  Atlanta A&T Drumline (from Greensboro!) will be the first HBCU drumline to present a clinic at PASIC!  And UNT will be presenting a showcase concert on Saturday.

 

ALSO THE VLOG WILL BE BACK!!!!

 

I’m not sure that it will be daily because of how busy the week will be, but expect some sort of video to come out after the conference.  See you in Indy!!!

 

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Vlog/Blog

That’s a wrap!

We finished shows in Japan!  It’s a bittersweet end to an amazing summer, but I’m so excited to be back next year!!!

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Vlog/Blog

So. Many. Stairs.

Final day off in the Kyoto prefecture!

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Vlog/Blog

Deer(nado)

Another awesome day off!  Went to visit some deer in Nara and had a crazy time cheering on the Hashing Tigers!

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Vlog/Blog

Bullet Train! (Shinkansen)

WE TOOK THE BULLET TRAIN TODAY!

It’s been a dream of mine to actually get to ride the bullet train and today it finally happened!  We finished up shows in Tokyo, the fans were awesome, and I made history with the craziest swing track in Blast history!  Check it out!

 

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Vlog/Blog

A day in the life

What’s it like on an average day at Blast?  Obviously I can’t show you much actual content of the show, but again that’s not what this vlog is about.  Mostly recapping how our days go outside of performing the show.  Enjoy!

 

(PS If you like it share and subscribe!)

 

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Vlog/Blog

Owl Cafe!

Okay.

Probably one of the best days of my entire life.

It’s our last free day in Tokyo.  Shows have been going great, the fans are awesome, and I’m deeply in love with Japan.  Today’s vlog is significantly longer than usual because today was so much fun!  Highlights definitely include the owl cafe and the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the world!  I’m so thankful for this amazing opportunity to be here and get to do amazing things like I did today.

Enjoy!

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Vlog/Blog

MacBooks Aren’t Waterproof

So my computer got wet and that’s why the vlogs stopped.  Back in full force with a fixed macbook and ready to keep sharing my awesome experience here in Japan!  We’re done with a full week of show with two more left to go!

 

Categories
Vlog/Blog

TYPHOON…not

Okay.  Sorry about the lack of daily vlog yesterday.  When it came time to head back to the hotel I realized I had about 30 seconds of footage from the entire day.  This was for two main reasons:

  1. You’ve been seeing the same background in my vlogs for a full week and it’s not as exciting as the Shibuya episode
  2. I’m doing a lot more things that I legally cannot put in the blog because of copyright.

This is a good thing because that means I’m doing a lot on stage, but it is a bummer I am unable to show you what exactly I’m doing on stage (or just come to the show)

Once shows start I’ll have a lot more time to do stuff around town and actually have footage to show you that is interesting and legal content.  But in the meantime enjoy today’s vlog!