ONOFFON

[onoffon]

Sunday, I attended a birthday party for Rex Harte, the son of my father's dear friend, business partner and drummer, Roy Harte. Rex plays drums too and he had quite a few excellent musicians in attendance. The party was hosted by a wonderful lady who lives on a beautiful estate in the hills of Santa Barbara. She is a Patron of the Arts and loves everything about the documentary film I'm producing. For me, the coolest part of the party was a gift I had given Rex. I had found an album a while back that was a recording of a live radio broadcast of the Billie Rogers Orchestra from New York in 1944. It marked the first band that Harry Babasin and Roy Harte had played together, beginning an association that would continue for more than four decades. I was fortunate to find multiple copies for sale on eBay, so I picked one up for Rex. What made this record even more special was what it meant to his mother. Ruth Harte, now in her 80's, was also at the party and she recalled her first meeting Roy. It was in 1944 when she saw him play with the Billie Rogers Orchestra!!!! Now, she couldn't remember where it was but it most certainly was the very same year, the same band, and it was in New York! Everyone at the party was blown away by the significance of this musical event in the personal Harte family history... There are no coincidences...

[onoffon]

This morning, I wanted share a portion of a letter written on behalf of my documentary project. This comes from the film curator of AFFMA, the Arpa Foundation for Film, Music, and Art, Dr. Zaven Khatchaturian. I met with he and the organization's founder, Sylvia Minassian, about a year ago and they want to feature the film, when it's done, at one of their film festivals, now in their eleventh year.This was the quote I wanted to share with you -"The contribution of Von Babasin to the history of music would be no less important than his father's contribution to music itself. Therefore, Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art offers its wholehearted support to Von's project."Pretty darn cool...There have been those on these boards who have expressed the same sentiment toward the project and my journey to bring it to fruition - you know who you are... Thanks as always for your support and thanks to Dr. Khatchaturian for his kind words...

[kg]

That's an amazing thing to have said about you, Von, and well-deserved.

[hummingbird]

That's really lovely, Von, a great acknowledgement of the work you have been inspired to do. I know it hasn't always been easy, but obviously your efforts are recognized and touch people in ways that you can't see. Trust in that.hugsVikki

[liamkelly]

Jun 8, 2008, 9:59am, onoffon wrote:The contribution of Von Babasin to the history of music would be no less important than his father's contribution to music itself. Therefore, Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art offers its wholehearted support to Von's project."Amen, brother.

[nomiyah]

Jun 8, 2008, 9:59am, onoffon wrote:This morning, I wanted share a portion of a letter written on behalf of my documentary project. This comes from the film curator of AFFMA, the Arpa Foundation for Film, Music, and Art, Dr. Zaven Khatchaturian. I met with he and the organization's founder, Sylvia Minassian, about a year ago and they want to feature the film, when it's done, at one of their film festivals, now in their eleventh year.This was the quote I wanted to share with you -"The contribution of Von Babasin to the history of music would be no less important than his father's contribution to music itself. Therefore, Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art offers its wholehearted support to Von's project."Pretty darn cool...There have been those on these boards who have expressed the same sentiment toward the project and my journey to bring it to fruition - you know who you are... Thanks as always for your support and thanks to Dr. Khatchaturian for his kind words... Great praise. Good to hear after all the work you put in.

[drew]

You're doing things right, Von.Congrats and keep it up.

[onoffon]

Thanks everyone - Kelly, Vikki, Liam, Nomi, and Drew - I'm giving it all I've got!It dawned on me, not long ago, that I have quite an impressive book of foundation letters of rejection, at least 250 to date. It's very impressive, in an odd sort of way, that all these prominent companies and organizations have turned me down. Well, I thought, what if I were able to compile a book of recommendation letters from all of the individuals I've contacted who support the project?The response has been amazing! Artistic, cultural, and educational professionals who all see the importance of this film on so many different levels have been sending letters of support. It's pretty awe inspiring.This should be a very productive week - I won't divulge all but I will say the Dean and Director of Development of the University of North Texas' College of Music will be in Los Angeles over the next few days and they've asked to meet with me. Harry is still a well respected alumnus and I will be interested to hear what he has to say.I have a meeting every day this week so wish me luck...

[onoffon]

I just received a friend request over on MySpace from a musician I've never met before - he spent time over at Drum City in Hollywood, where my father had his office and housed the recording studio where most of our jazz archives were recorded -"Von -I had the pleasure of meeting your father several times in the mid-eighties at Drum City and the local 47. He actually sold me my copy of Inglewood Jam. I also have an original 78 of Bopmatism on the Dial label and I'm fairly sure that I have an Imperial 45 of the Oscar Pettiford session somewhere in my collection but I wasn't aware that Harry was the other cellist. Your Hollywood Jazz website is Excellent!Roy Harte will always be dear to me in so many ways, and I can only wish I had known more about him when he was here with us so that I could ask him more about things/his career, etc. Best of luck with your doc!"What a great message to receive, out of the blue. It helps to represent how many people I don't even know who were influenced by my father and Roy Harte, in so many different ways...Did I mention that, once I'm done with Harry Babasin's Jazz In Hollywood documentary, I will produce Roy Harte's Drum City? I'm still quite close with Roy's family and we will collaborate on telling his amazing story and of his remarkable drum shop in the heart of Hollywood.Really great musical history...

[onoffon]

I can't reveal the specifics quite yet, but I've received this message in an email from the investors I've been working with -"As you can imagine there is bounds of paperwork and crossing of "T's" and dotting of " i's"... know that the fund is real, happening and in the throws of being finalized."You've all been there with me every step of the way...I can't think of a better group of friends to share this with... CHEERS!!!!!