Cruising the Carribean!
Sunday, 14th September 2008 by zachThe Carribean....this is where your Zach Raffan is at the moment , playing his trumpet in a commercial show band on board the 'Majesty of the Seas' Cruise ship. I will be there until March 2nd 2009. We go around in a huge circular route, from Miami, to Nassau, Key West, Cocoacay, and then back to Miami. Cocoacay is my favorite because of the palm tree beaches where i swim once a week, and walk around the island in my sunnies and haiwan shirt like a mafia guy. Apart from playing in the band at night, there is a lot of free time, which i spend reading, playing folk music on the guitar and going to the gym.
Sounds exotic, but believe me, you can get homesick for a hometown like Canberra! The fresh air, the Orchestra, and the space i miss the most,...not to mention all of you guys.
But i am so happy i am doing this temporarily for six months. The band set up is trumpet, trombone, sax, keyboard, bass, guitar, drums. The commercial music is a lot of fun to play, and i feel like it is getting me in real good shape playing night after night. Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Ray Charles, ABBA, Elvis, and lots more of the disco, and motown famous stuff.
I was so nervous and a bit sad the first couple of days because i thought i didnt really fit in. But when it was as simple as getting over the Kindergarten shyness, and just plainly introducing myself to the others and asking them directly if i could hang out with them, i realise how easy it is to meet people and feel accepted.
So the the whole playing on a Cruise ship experience - its different from Canberra - but highly recommended to all of you trumpeters who want to get the commercial experience under your belt!
If you want to know anything else about what im doing at the moment, put up a post on this website or send me an email on zachraffan@hotmail.com
I also am interested in knowing what you guys are doing! Anything that is brass related, please post it up on this website - no matter how small/amatuer/ or non interesting you think it is, it deosnt matter. For me, everything is interesting!:)
I wish you all well, and a wonderful musical year for the rest of 2008.
All the best,
Zach
Naty
I am interested in finding more about cruise life! How do you like it so far? ;)