August 25th, 2003
Chicago, IL

Since the release of "Verse" last year September, my quartet, which consists of: Michael Arnopol,bass; Eric Montzka, drums, Neal Alger, guitar, and soundman Jay Tenhove, has been to these cities:

There is something about the 8:00pm downbeat in the foreign city that brings out the best in the art. It is difficult as a complete lifestyle, so balance is best. This year I'll be taking most of the year off in order to work on my Guggenheim fellowship proposal. There will be dates, but not nearly as many. I'm looking forward to a year of composition and a pot of soup on the stove and a fire in the fireplace. Mostly i'm looking forward to the composition. The dates we do have will be posted on the website as always, and next year at about this time we will start a European tour again. Here are some photos from the year.

December 29th, 2002
Chicago, IL

Thank you to the fans and readers of "road news."
Happy New Year 2003.
- Patricia

November 25th, 2002
Lucerna Music Bar, Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC
November 26th, 2002
Sava Center, Belgrade, SERBIA

My goodness, what a city is Prague! BUT, Iberia lost my luggage. It didn't show up in time for the set. For two days I had hope though, and even in stale clothes, the city is enchanting. The musical evening in Prague was set in a club on the lower floor of a gorgeous, distinctly Praguish architectural gem. Down the stairs, underneath all that refinement is a round stage surrounded by people on two floors. Its not fabulous for stagefright, but its fabulous. Michael, Neal and Eric were on notice that I was in a very bad mood after having to sleep eat wake and play without the amenities a suitcase can bring. Jay, soundman extraordinaire, did wonders with the sound and is always on pins and needles when circumstances are challenging. Though his sound is good, his nervous loyalty is his best feature.

Words cannot describe how the music felt that night in Prague and also the next night in Belgrade. Both of these cities are inspiring in very different ways. I have wonderful friends in Serbia and hope to go back often.

At the end of 2002, in Prague and Belgrade, we hit our stride with the "Verse" tour, or magic was accessible somehow - perhaps an alchemical synthesis of the forces of desperation, excitement, duty, comradeship and a Muse. I met the guys in the dressing room before the set in Prague and told them that it was 'one of those nights' and Ii needed their help. And then 1 + 1+ 1+ 1 is more than 4.

November 22nd, 2002
Teatro Del Conde Dugue, Madrid, SPAIN
November 23rd, 2002
Teatro Isabel La Catolica, Granada, SPAIN

I love Spain as much as France these days. In large part because we have a fabulous promoter in Spain (as well as in France.) I've put our promoter Amparo's picture on the "road news" a couple of times before when we were in Spain. Sure enough, she was there to meet us in Madrid as she always is.

I did get a chance to see a bit of Madrid even though it was raining cats and dogs. I didn't get a chance to see Granada at all because it was raining big cats and dogs. Getting that close to Africa without seeing the sun is disappointing, but the people at the shows in both Madrid and Granada were as warm as Amparo herself.
Spain is comfortable in its skin.

As I review this set of photos, taken by photographer Valerie Booth a few recurring themes seem to represent our life on the road -the airports, the hotels, the dressing rooms, and the stage. It would be so empty without the music. With the music, its magic.