The Monday Morning Paradiddle

Welcome back and I hope that all you fatherly drumming types out there had a nice Father's Day.

Here's a few things to check out this morning:

- Speaking of Father's Day, I consider Max Roach to be my musical/jazz drumming "father", so to speak. Listening to Max play all those years ago really set me on my own path and after checking out "Study in Brown" there was no turning back!

Here's some footage of Max Roach with his quartet from a concert in East Germany filmed during the 1980s:



- For those of you who don't know, I'm currently researching and writing my Doctoral dissertation through the University of Toronto on the notion of contemporary approaches to "melodic" Jazz drumming.

There are many great dissertations out there written on the topic of Jazz drumming. Here's an exceptional paper written by Toronto Jazz drummer and educator Barry Elmes on the topic of Elvin Jones' revolutionary approach to time keeping:

http://www.barryelmes.com/stuff/4stuff/Thesis-Elvin%20Jones.pdf

- Thanks to David Ward, producer of CBC's Jazz radio program TONIC, who turned me on to this insightful three-part interview with long-time Bill Evans trio drummer Marty Morell:

http://www.JazzWax.com/2012/06/marty-morell-on-bill-evans-pt-1.html

Incidentally, if you are in Toronto, go to Honest Ed's legendary discount department store on Bloor and Bathurst and if you look carefully you'll notice the poster-sized, autographed photo of Marty Morell that  hangs on the wall near the exit as you leave the checkout counters (!)

- Jason Crane over at the Jazz Session recently took some time to interview drummer Jeff Cosgrove and asked him some questions about his fine new album which features the music of Paul Motian:

http://thejazzsession.com/2012/06/18/the-jazz-session-382-jeff-cosgrove/

- I never get tired of hearing the Masters speak. I mean, I could just sit and listen to one of these cats order off of a restaurant menu and I'd be happy...

Here's a rare interview with the great Al Harewood:

http://www.jazzclef.com/alharewood.html

And here Louis Hayes has a few words to say as well:

http://www.jazzclef.com/louishayes.html

- Here's an awesome interview with Jeff Ballard courtesy of George Colligan over at his blog Jazz Truth:

http://jazztruth.blogspot.ca/2012/06/jeff-ballard-interview.html

- Since I'm on a bit of a Jazz drumming interview kick today, here's another with Winard Harper courtesy of the Pace Report:



- It's Jabali!



- It's Tain!



I really dig the pseudo Afro-Cuban groove that he lays into here. And the feedback...lol


- What am I listening to these days?

Phil Nimmons Jazz Orchestra "The Atlantic Suite" - Stan Perry (drums)

Freddie Hubbard "Live in France 1973" (dvd) - Michael Carvin (drums)

Aldo Romano & Joe Lovano "Ten Tales" - Aldo Romano (drums)

O.T.B "Out of the Blue" - Ralph Peterson Jr. (drums)

Sam Noto "Act One" - Billy Higgins (drums)

Gary Burton Quartet "Country Roads & Other Places" - Roy Haynes (drums), Gary Burton (vibes)

- Lots of exciting gigs on the go for me this week. Officially we don't have an organized Jazz festival in this town these days, but there is no lack of good Jazz music to check out this week so get out there and support our local Jazz scene!

For those of you who are interested, here's where I'll be playing in Calgary over the next while:

Monday, June 18 - The McCaslin/Valdo Vibes and Bass Duo
Waves Coffee House (Calgary West Location) 7:30pm

Tuesday, June 19 - Andrea Petrity Trio
Pacific Place Mall 4pm

Wednesday, June 20 - McCaslin Vibraphone Project
ProArts Noon Hour Concert Series, Church of the Redeemer 12pm

Wednesday, June 20 - The Calgary Creative Arts Ensemble
Leacock Theatre, Mount Royal University 7:30pm

Tickets $25 Adults, $10 Students
For tickets and information call the Mount Royal University Box Office
403.440.7770
http://tickets.mtroyal.ca

Friday, June 22 - Phil Dwyer Trio
Beatniq Jazz & Social Club, 9pm

Saturday, June 23 - McCaslin Vibraphone Project
The Belfry 7pm

Wednesday, June 27 - Jon McCaslin Trio
The Yellow Nectarine Lounge 8pm

Thursday, June 28 - Jeff McGregor Trio
Kawa Espresso Bar - 8:30pm

Saturday, June 30 - Shane Statz Quartet Plays the Music of Sonny Rollins
Beatniq Jazz & Social Club 9pm

July 9-14 - Prairielands Summer Jazz Workshop
University of Regina (Regina, SK)

*If you want to study with me this summer, here's your chance!
Learn more about this great workshop here: http://www.prairielandsjazzcamp.com/

- Oh yes, don't forget to please come check out this exciting big band gig this coming Wednesday!

The charts have been arranged, the parts have been taped and the band has been rehearsed and is ready to go. It's going to be epic!