String Station

OK, the seminar was totally fascinating. Ed, Elliot, and George were all so personable and brilliant, it was really inspiring to be there. And there are a million things to tell about their talks, but what I really want to mention is this recording session they'd set up as a demo of surround sound technology. There was a drummer/ percussionist mic'ed in surround, and this extraordinary musician/inventor named Jim Bartz. Jim has invented an instrument called THE STRING STATION -- it's a patented, 40-string surround sound instrument, and he's the only person in the world who can play it. And he DOES play it -- it was absolutely mind-blowing to watch him play this free-form/new-age/improvisational music, and the colors and sounds he was creating were just fantastic. He was truly his own surround-sound ensemble, and I was absolutely mesmerized.

At the very least, I urge you to visit his website -- talk about a man following his vision! Truly amazing.