Hello Friends...
Again...

This is the second edition of my Newsletter! Thank you all for continuing to subscribe and thanks for the the many kind replies I received to my last edition.  I always look forward to hearing from all of my friends and loath the fact that I can not contact everyone, personally, on a more regular basis.  I would like to take this time to wish you all a belated Happy Holidays and extend my heartfelt best wishes to you all in 2009.  I hope the worst of times are behind us (for now) and that each of you may prosper in all your endeavors this year.  If you know someone who may enjoy receiving news from me or may have an interest in my music, please send them this newsletter using the link at the bottom that says "forward.  Thanks!

New Year,  New Plans
New President...

As many of you know, I planned to move my family to the suburbs of Chicago in order to study at the Northern Illinois University (NIU).  A terrible housing market, coupled with a dwindling job market in the face this recession made those plans all but impossible.  Fortunately the Universe has a way of working things out...  NIU no longer an option by December, we decided that this would be an incredible time to move to the Nation's Capitol.  So on January 1st, I officially became a resident of the greater Washington D.C. area.  In addition to performing, I am currently working with the Cultural Academy For Excellence (C.A.F.E.) in Hyattsville, MD, where I teach improvisation, ear training, and Practical classes in addition to assisting in some administrative duties.  I look forward to continuing to work with them and several other Steel Bands/Pan Organizations in the area.  I am also proud to have been accepted to the George Mason University School of Music. Additionally, I've been recommended for a scholarship... That is "the Universe working things out"...

Little E's & Big Freeze
Music & Snow in the 'Burgh

It takes a special type of entrepreneur to open a Jazz Club.  Someone with vision, drive, a serious passion for the music, balls of steel, and a keen tolerance to the fact that you may loose LOTS OF MONEY.  George Kazas, managing partner of Little E's Jazz Club must "fit the bill". During my mini-residency in Pittsburgh last year, George presented me at his club several times - and it instantly became my favorite place to play in the 'Burgh. Our first show was standing-room-only and featured myself and Mark Lucas on guitar. Several more shows saw smaller crowds as people hunkered down for the winter - but the atmosphere of the club remained always warm, exciting, and intimate.  It's a hell of a time to open a jazz club that features live music often, in an intimate environment, with little or no cover charge, and treats musicians fairly and with respect.  If you live in Pittsburgh, and you love jazz, you have have to see Little E's - despite the "big freeze" of winter.


Puttin' it on "Wax"
Making a Record in Wexford

In the Fall of '08, guitarist Mark Lucas and I went into the studio and started working on an unnamed collaborative effort, inspired by our two-week stretch at the Umbria Jazz Festival.  The record will consist of a few jazz "Standards", some "not Standards", and several original compositions by both Mark and myself. We've recorded several tracks so far and we are beginning to settle into a nice rhythm.  The record also features Pittsburgh's Rich Loose on bass and Dave Throckmorton on drums.  The record should be finished and available for purchase this summer - stay tuned to my website www.victorpanman.com for details.


Bill's Place

New Yorkenomics
Over the course of the last few months I've performed several times with the Dion Parson Quintet at a club in Harlem called Bill's Place. "Bill" is the legendary Bill Saxton, an NYC saxophonist and proprietor of this cozy BYOB former-speakeasy.  The music was great, with players like Ron Blake, bassist Dwayne Burno, pianist Carlton Holmes, and trumpet sensation Ettienne Charles on stage.  And the audience was incredible, with special visits from the Dutch Consulate, and members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Here are the New Yorkenomics: it costs me $18 to get from D.C. to Grand Central Station in NYC (240 miles) via Megabus... then it costs me $19.50 to get from Grand Central to Lexington Ave. in Harlem (2 miles) via cab - Imagine that.