tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33121481574263347882024-03-18T09:00:32.175-04:00FOUR ON THE FLOORBROUGHT TO YOU BY
JON McCASLIN -
A TREATISE ON JAZZ DRUMMING AND ALL THINGS UNRELATEDJon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.comBlogger1713125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-69672451070581218692024-03-18T09:00:00.271-04:002024-03-18T09:00:00.152-04:00The Monday Morning Paradiddle - March 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaAjYAutcFM0z1BcbMTaUanSMPYgB28kxB8Wz_GkXo4qSWLZqi1mLO3eYkZwbHZxrQ0l5OY2SSAQwroP_RISp-K2Nwl5MImgEKc5h0evKxsHpJXvhRBCX9OdjTXeLeKjBhbsq3OqYFmb9BAaV6AA4BZh0PHqyO7zW_bYwvpcYjhs1zs_tIuh7gKpl-oo/s600/Paradiddle.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaAjYAutcFM0z1BcbMTaUanSMPYgB28kxB8Wz_GkXo4qSWLZqi1mLO3eYkZwbHZxrQ0l5OY2SSAQwroP_RISp-K2Nwl5MImgEKc5h0evKxsHpJXvhRBCX9OdjTXeLeKjBhbsq3OqYFmb9BAaV6AA4BZh0PHqyO7zW_bYwvpcYjhs1zs_tIuh7gKpl-oo/w400-h230/Paradiddle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>And...we're back.</p><p>Thanks for checking in and here is the March 2024 edition of the <i>Monday Morning Paradiddle</i> for your perusal, my more-or-less monthly jazz drumming variety column, just in time (depending on where you are anyways) for the upcoming Spring school break.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Monday Morning Paradiddle - March 2024</b></span></p><p>1. <a href="https://www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-yfqkf-f2154b" target="_blank">The Drummer's Pathway</a> podcast with Michael Scott interviews Ted Warren on the topics of creative explorations in jazz and overcoming self doubt</p><p>2. A wonderful three-part series on Max Roach from Vinnie Sperrazza in his Substack series <i>Chronicles</i>:</p><p>Max Roach at 100: <a href="https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/max-roach-at-100-part-1" target="_blank">Part I</a> <a href="https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/max-roach-at-100-part-2" target="_blank">Part II</a> <a href="https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/max-roach-at-100-part-3" target="_blank">Part III</a></p><p>Also check out Vinnie's great piece on the underrated <a href="https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/connie-kay-rhythm-and-blues-master" target="_blank">Connie Kay</a> as well.</p><p>I think I read somewhere that Connie Kay was affectionately known as <i>The Sheriff </i>back in day (presumably because his sense of time was so strong?)</p><p>3. A couple of great pieces from Ethan Iverson:</p><p><a href="https://iverson.substack.com/p/tt-365-elvin-jones-on-john-coltranes" target="_blank">Elvin Jones on John Coltrane's India</a></p><p><a href="https://iverson.substack.com/p/tt-361-max-roach-in-19581959" target="_blank">Max Roach in 1958/59</a></p><p>4. A great piece by Bill Milkowski on <a href="https://billmilkowski.substack.com/p/the-story-of-the-legendary-buddy?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2" target="_blank">The Story of the Legendary Buddy Rich Bus Tapes</a></p><p>5. And one more on <a href="https://bretprimack.substack.com/p/max-the-invincible-roach" target="_blank">Max the Invincible Roach</a> from Bret Primack</p><p>Vinnie, Ethan, Bill and Bret are all offering really great regular and informed content on their Substacks. Consider subscribing and supporting their excellent ongoing work.</p><p>6. An interview with Jeff Williams from <a href="https://londonjazznews.com/2024/01/04/interview-with-jeff-williams-new-album-with-dave-liebman-in-duo-out-26th-jan-on-whirlwind/?fbclid=IwAR1LceYsoMWG8kXRHV_X9zGx3TYO7BNjIwSH_nJAtajgpsSBP3dVsHeGqvc" target="_blank">London Jazz News</a> on his new album <i>In Duo </i>with saxophonist Dave Liebman</p><p>7. Monk Rowe interviews <a href="https://youtu.be/bl2wunrNN7o?si=C6vRQOHpdQ7nkXxP" target="_blank">Ed Soph</a> </p><p><i>*sorry the embedding was disabled on YouTube for this one!*</i></p><p>8. The Working Drummer Podcast features <a href="http://thedrumclick.com/2024/03/07/459-obed-calvaire-playing-with-wynton-marsalis-the-jazz-at-lincoln-center-orchestra-commemorating-max-roach-expressing-his-hatian-heritage-on-his-new-record/" target="_blank">Obed Calvaire</a></p><p>9. Allison Miller's <a href="http://thedrumclick.com/2024/02/20/allison-millers-drummer-composer-teacher-top-5-influential-records/" target="_blank">Top Five Influential Records</a> from Big Fat Five and The Drum Click </p><p>10. Marc Myers with this piece from Jazz Wax on a previously unreleased recording of <a href="https://www.jazzwax.com/2024/01/the-philly-joe-jones-quintet-1960-1961.html?fbclid=IwAR1JE6NXM1pgzJdDBgWb_Wm3U0T42XBuWOw7fnho8WONV7fFFVyvkmtonB8" target="_blank">Philly Joe Jones</a> and his quintet, recorded at Birdland in 1961</p><p>11. Aldo Mazza interviews Terry Clarke in his on-going series <i>Shaping Your Journey</i>:</p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YR2uEk_Yyzk?si=J0xI3z_vQe01X-w7" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>12. Dr. Jazz Samo Salamon interviews Mareike Wiening:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Iftb_HJvB10?si=nBSXYM1geH79Hx7h" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>13. Drum Factory Direct with <i>10 Reasons to Love Billy Higgins</i>:</p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CdWrNPlLOj0?si=oPao5OTEOUC9-fmB" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>A complete interview with Kenny Washington: </p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SOFUt5fwiz8?si=qdliHd1rdq-1wcb8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>...and a two-part interview with Gregory Hutchinson: </p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6cS8n1-K_Rs?si=H2-X4-7cSljsbbbZ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VWvy0thgzvM?si=pYarvSINltTfJzY0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</p><p>14. Joe Farnsworth and Kenny Washington offer their birthday greetings to the great Roy Haynes on the occasion of his 99th birthday!</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fc60jErmKK4?si=Z6sZd25u701lulEx" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>...a ripping Farnsworth solo from a 2013 hit in Vancouver, Canada:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4I8GYdqBbiY?si=c_OD4W9IY4U_BKc6" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>...and a more recent solo over <i>Old Devil Moon</i>:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wTxG1FlCqaA?si=JT4yizMv7lB587mV" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>15. Beautiful piano trio drumming from Carl Allen with Mike LeDonne and Ron Carter:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MQ0yy1f5YOY?si=UmFkKOYq7YUyZmWc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>16. Gerry Hemingway's solo performance <i>Invitation from an Afternoon</i>: </p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bzbAY1-D15M?si=vNKipKt_fyWX77Zy" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>17. Steve Gadd demonstrates his rudimental snare drum technique in conversation with Rick Beato:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mNJ3lKt71HA?si=c5zDfLNCkg142D1n" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>18. A great solo from Jeff Ballard:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zooj_jlS2ns?si=o7-meLp6WiaXPk2g" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p><br /></p><p>19. What am I listening to these days?
</p><p>Herlin Riley "New Direction" - Herlin Riley (drums)</p><p>Don Cherry "Art Deco" - Billy Higgins (drums)</p><p>Larry Young "Unity" - Elvin Jones (drums)</p><p>Max Roach "Solos" - Max Roach (drums)</p><p>Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk "Miles and Monk at Newport" - Jimmy Cobb, Frankie Dunlop (drums)</p><p>Tommy Banks Big Band "Jazz Canada Montreux 1978" - Tom Doran (drums)</p><p><br /></p><p>20. And today's <i>Final Word</i> goes to John Riley:</p><p>(thanks to Tyshawn Sorey for reminding us of this one via Instagram earlier this month)</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1RvFGCvmXcc?si=jO6dTlU6OJYa8Vh0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">As always, when the Masters speak, we listen.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxyRv35NXM4lpYzibmDdU1-C70VYDA3AMz8SZoDMuS9at4P_tvG_kIFU_PSf61eTRKjrsRYdVGIH6hXCyE451yCaxSWVwXqZMY6o_Wya25YpRSjN1uH-GXQlu-NRqiifdEhd9KcIhAiESgOLA0Iro2E1qICCVe4mvLkLQedrNnz82S1ZoOi1tiVgs3CI/s800/6a00e008dca1f0883402c8d3a98f58200b-800wi.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxyRv35NXM4lpYzibmDdU1-C70VYDA3AMz8SZoDMuS9at4P_tvG_kIFU_PSf61eTRKjrsRYdVGIH6hXCyE451yCaxSWVwXqZMY6o_Wya25YpRSjN1uH-GXQlu-NRqiifdEhd9KcIhAiESgOLA0Iro2E1qICCVe4mvLkLQedrNnz82S1ZoOi1tiVgs3CI/w400-h400/6a00e008dca1f0883402c8d3a98f58200b-800wi.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-90328890888014151242024-03-11T09:00:00.021-04:002024-03-11T09:00:00.135-04:00Lewis Nash & Steve Wilson - Live at Umbria<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtDgIwHSwcpWJrvoQwREa-XZJeuHjkF2iDVaYXPtxgkb-WIA6gN0fskquBjVpfNeJI5o75cjxVC6VlTuku_dKOcOmeMvhfiT8ukYU0xEuyqTEOUbYVaaUEJ_AcJ6CxsoQ6fdKvY0qZ7dE0GPIEkJqNHsKY2JRCCbrHEcIu5AU2uw89wDNtDzfBuNH_jw/s1184/Lewis%20Nash%20Steve%20Wilson.png" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtDgIwHSwcpWJrvoQwREa-XZJeuHjkF2iDVaYXPtxgkb-WIA6gN0fskquBjVpfNeJI5o75cjxVC6VlTuku_dKOcOmeMvhfiT8ukYU0xEuyqTEOUbYVaaUEJ_AcJ6CxsoQ6fdKvY0qZ7dE0GPIEkJqNHsKY2JRCCbrHEcIu5AU2uw89wDNtDzfBuNH_jw/s400/Lewis%20Nash%20Steve%20Wilson.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>A preview today of a fantastic new duet album featuring Lewis Nash on drums and Steve Wilson on alto saxophone, recorded at the Umbria Jazz Festival, a follow-up to their 2014 release <i>Duologue</i>:<div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WyBBW1i-NVI?si=ESdKsfeWXEXsarn_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VkUaLA5T6cU?si=l_dfbcaHnFxOeKG0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A7JigI-qyek?si=czQ1zcqiBPNKiLK2" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-62250672676608728492024-03-04T09:00:00.016-05:002024-03-04T09:34:56.111-05:00Fifty Years of Random Thoughts About Practicing, Playing and Improvising on the Drum Set - Ed Soph<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu2mB8lciptyBuV-JMpBEz19Yz7zlSy50I_SL_5F4BEVAEKQ0Njtl4RSfI5PNjVR_oo2bRuKUVhXxAlQ_Mhf72nXXa4z3WBGzvO24LCEYJo5VUIJiMVwrIeXJ0NBhiXZB2mjKLDii0l1nZoyxCAKke8lN1FOUEwTj0hseYZV9oruMUNb_HmSCHMspanc/s530/Ed%20Soph%20Frack%20Free%20Denton.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="530" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu2mB8lciptyBuV-JMpBEz19Yz7zlSy50I_SL_5F4BEVAEKQ0Njtl4RSfI5PNjVR_oo2bRuKUVhXxAlQ_Mhf72nXXa4z3WBGzvO24LCEYJo5VUIJiMVwrIeXJ0NBhiXZB2mjKLDii0l1nZoyxCAKke8lN1FOUEwTj0hseYZV9oruMUNb_HmSCHMspanc/w400-h264/Ed%20Soph%20Frack%20Free%20Denton.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A big thanks to Ed Soph who recently shared this collection of wisdom on Facebook. Ed was kind enough to allow me to share his thoughts on my blog below.</div><div><br /></div><div>As per always, when the Masters speak, we listen.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">FIFTY YEARS OF RANDOM THOUGHTS ABOUT PRACTICING, PLAYING AND IMPROVISING ON THE DRUM SET by Ed Soph</span></b><br /><br /></div><div>If you cannot immediately play something to your or your teacher’s satisfaction it is because the material is NEW, NOT DIFFICULT. New exercises and techniques require new ways of thinking, hearing, and moving. The more you think about what you are doing and how you are doing it the better your problem solving technique becomes. And that is what practicing is really all about: developing the skills to recognize your musical and technical limitations and learning how to overcome those limitations.<br /><br />Practice your musical and technical weaknesses, not your strengths. If you sound good when you are practicing you are not really practicing.<br /><br />Make practicing playing. Movement skills are learned by repetition, by trial and error; by learning to correct, to adjust, and to adapt while actually playing. By applying musical frameworks of form, style, tempo, dynamics, rhythm, and melody to your practicing you will practice musically and prepare yourself for the demands of the bandstand.<br /><br />Hear everything you are playing whether it is repetitive or non-repetitive, written or improvised.<br /><br />Practice with a metronome to develop your sense of consistent time.<br /><br />Avoid practicing in your dynamic and tempo “comfort zones”.<br /><br />Break exercises into their components. Play individual parts before attempting to play the complete pattern. Play individual measures before attempting to play the complete exercise. This allows your mind to understand the process of playing the exercise. It is your brain, not your hands and feet, that plays the drums. <br /><br />Practicing new material slowly is the quickest way to learn it. Practicing slowly gives you the opportunity to think about what you are doing. If you cannot play it at quarter note = 40-50 you haven’t really mastered the pattern.<br /><br />“Sing” parts before you play them. “Sing” one part while playing another.<br /><br />Be patient. Remember, progress is doing, not completing.<br /><br />Don’t stop if you play something “wrong”. If what you played is in time it is an improvisation, not a mistake! Go with the flow. Let what your brain initially wanted to play come out. That’s you playing. Work your way to the original exercise. In the end, you will have some variations of the exercise because you allowed yourself to make mistakes musically while practicing. The same process occurs when you actually play music in a band so get used to it!<br /><br />When you hear an accomplished musician, always ask yourself, “Why does he/she sound so good?” If you learn to hear and identify the good attributes in others’ playing you will be able to bring those qualities to your own playing.<br /><br />Practice thoughtfully. The accomplished players are those who have invested the most time practicing, playing, and thinking about their instrument and the music. They are also the ones who have listened thoroughly to the musical repertoire. They are the players who have developed their ears just as well as their hands and feet.<br /><br />“Control” comes from degrees of looseness, not tightness.<br /><br />Explore the musical past. It will help you to understand the present and guide you in charting your own musical future.<br /><br />Technique is like handwriting. We all learned to make the same basic letterforms when we were taught to write. Yet now we all possess unique styles of writing because we took those basic, fundamental forms and personalized them, thus creating our own “hand”. So it is with drumming techniques. Learn and internalize the basic forms, let your musical imagination go to work, and you will find your own musical “hand”.<br /><br />For the foundation of jazz/be-bop drumming, time and comping figures should be played with a good, balanced sound. The ride pattern is analogous to the bass pattern, and comping figures to the accompaniment played by the pianist or guitarist. In a musical jazz rhythm section the piano/guitar and the bass are dynamically balanced. And that same rhythm section as voiced on the kit should be balanced as well unless one makes a musical choice to alter that balance. One frequently hears younger drummers playing the ride cymbal much louder than the snare, bass drum and hi-hat. Asked the reason for that, the player will say that the ride cymbal is the “time-keeper” and should be dynamically prominent. By realizing that everything one is playing, repetitive or non-repetitive, is keeping the time solves this problem. In the context of the actual rhythm section it is like the bassist drowning out the pianist or guitarist.<br /><br />The dynamic level of the music/rhythm section is the accent level. Accents have dynamics. Accents can be soft or loud. The key to musical accentuation is to put softer notes around the note/notes you wish to accent. If the rhythm section is playing mf and one plays a ff accent it will disrupt the time of the rhythm section. <br /><br />Dynamic consistency is one of the foundations of consistent sounding time.<br /><br />“Fills” are not solos. The rhythm section is still playing. The “fill” is part of time-keeping. Unless setting up a dynamic change in the music, as in a big band chart, the “fill” should not be softer or louder than the time-keeping that precedes or follows it. Younger players seem to automatically play “fills”, especially when incorporating the toms, louder, as though another drummer is behind the kit.<br /><br />Big band playing consists of three processes: (1) reading; (2) interpreting what is read by listening to the ensemble while playing; (3) improvising fills and set ups. Let the rhythmic vocabulary of the ensemble figures of the chart determine the content of your improvisations. That’s really playing the chart and not relying on memorized fill patterns that have nothing to do with the music. Play the music, not the chart!<br /><br />Playing more or faster notes does not necessarily mean playing louder.<br /><br />Learn to improvise with silence/space as well as sound. As Miles Davis said, “I listen for what I can leave out.”<br /><br />How you think about the drum set, what you have heard, and what you understand about the musical past of the instrument determine how you play the instrument musically.<br /><br />Before you can find your “voice” on the instrument you must have a “brain”. This means having your own concept of what you want to do, how you want to do it, and how you want it to sound. Studying other drummers who have a musical “voice” will help you find yours.<br /><br />Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Billy Higgins, Pete LaRoca, and Philly Joe Jones all sound both wonderful and different. What do you think are the musical traits that they share? Those are traits you want to incorporate into your playing, your way.<br /><br />Don’t make the mistake of just listening to the drummer when you study the music. You are training yourself to listen to yourself on the bandstand if you do. The drummer you are trying to emulate is not listening primarily to him/ her self. He/she is listening to the other musicians. Always listen to the musical environment in which the drummer is playing. Know the tune’s melody and form. Listen to the bassist and drummer; pianist/guitarist and drummer; the soloist and the drummer.<br /><br />Listen to the entire group.That’s what happens on the bandstand if you have the technical skills and self-confidence to immerse your self in the music, not it your drumming.<br /><br />Everything you need to know and to hear is in the music. Allow the music or the silence in the music to suggest what or what not to play.<br /><br />Have a musical reason for what you play and how you play it. If you don’t you will play “filler”, especially on the snare when you don’t have a concept of comping.<br /><br />Everything you play should have intention. “Filler” or soft “chatter” on the snare should be a choice, not a habit (we practice so that our technique allows us to make choices spontaneously at many tempos and dynamic levels.)<br /><br />Mimicry is not improvisation. Imagine if you had a conversation with someone who simply repeated what you said. Obviously, there would be no exchange of ideas.<br /><br />When I was starting out I thought that by mimicking the soloist’s rhythmic ideas I was “interacting” and conversing with him/her. I thought I was showing the soloist that I was really listening! An older pianist was caring enough to tell me, “Don’t play what I play! Just play the tune like everyone else in the band! That was when I started really improvising when I played, not mimicking what someone else played.<br /><br />“Right” and “wrong” do not nurture improvisational freedom. “Appropriate” and “inappropriate” do. Again, it is a matter of choices.<br /><br />To have the freedom to listen to the music rather than just ourselves when playing, we must have an extensive musical vocabulary that encompasses dynamics, tempos, sound, styles and repertoire. Without this vocabulary, we cannot communicate with other musicians. The weaknesses that emerge when we don’t have this vocabulary force us to listen to ourselves, because we don’t sound right in the musical situation.<br /><br />Finally, remember that you sound the way that you move. Drumming is motion. Smooth, in-time motions (strokes) produce smooth, in-time rhythms and sounds. The character of the silent part of the stroke, the upstroke, determines the character of the down stroke, the part that produces the sound. Consider the upstrokes as carefully as the downstrokes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicH5_OtoAcDVvbTiAYtJo5RAQqcQK2qE1pVhbGR8bivncTUlcYuBfcNe_afWBaZIh1irQlQwvZVCl1V826oNsPF2bF3P8PI10sgT_CvoMq1tTifGs_ExONHu58C9_RhJC-iQi0GOYiXnbwayL6IkwGpkw4a7n3yDHG3xpAlZ49wHPMSYpOivLr5BTqfAo/s720/Ed-Soph-web.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="720" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicH5_OtoAcDVvbTiAYtJo5RAQqcQK2qE1pVhbGR8bivncTUlcYuBfcNe_afWBaZIh1irQlQwvZVCl1V826oNsPF2bF3P8PI10sgT_CvoMq1tTifGs_ExONHu58C9_RhJC-iQi0GOYiXnbwayL6IkwGpkw4a7n3yDHG3xpAlZ49wHPMSYpOivLr5BTqfAo/w400-h149/Ed-Soph-web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-68875915125656051072024-02-26T09:00:00.142-05:002024-02-26T11:49:29.882-05:00A Practical Approach to Rudimental Drumming - Carmen Intorre Jr.<div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWKg0FgJZ545-gVMhyphenhyphenXTr5-nol16gvqrhjJ6165tnEoIGJsNh18wwnJT49HA1lUbDReEh-X3ooIq7Wk43vZbz_JeVG07SsCrAdAB49TVd6rzlaj2I9qjU0ysElz6xuflwC_f7lOuiQ0AGOWyKUWENNf9KG8YBTmKCWo_D_tmaA5eJRKVazWJZGd4vej4/s718/Carmen%20Cover%20Photo.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="546" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWKg0FgJZ545-gVMhyphenhyphenXTr5-nol16gvqrhjJ6165tnEoIGJsNh18wwnJT49HA1lUbDReEh-X3ooIq7Wk43vZbz_JeVG07SsCrAdAB49TVd6rzlaj2I9qjU0ysElz6xuflwC_f7lOuiQ0AGOWyKUWENNf9KG8YBTmKCWo_D_tmaA5eJRKVazWJZGd4vej4/w304-h400/Carmen%20Cover%20Photo.png" width="304" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf">Carmen Intorre Jr. recently released his new book <i>A Practical Approach to Rudimental Drumming</i>. I recently purchased a copy soon after its release and have been working through it lately. Carmen has compiled a wonderful collection of exercises to practice that will undoubtedly improve your technique and musical approach to the snare drum if you take the time. I believe that learning the fundamentals of rudimental drumming is an essential part of any drummer and percussionists training and that this book compliments and adds to the important body of rudimental publications that already exist.</div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf">Carmen was nice enough take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions about his new book.</div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><u><b>A Practical Approach to Rudimental Drumming by Carmen Intorre Jr.</b></u> <b>- February 2024</b></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><b>1) Tell us all about your new book! </b> </div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf">The title of my book is <i>A Practical Approach to Rudimental Drumming</i>. This book is my attempt at helping drummers learn the rudiments and how to apply them around the kit. A major goal of my book is to state the importance of learning and mastering the rudiments. They are essential. In order to have a strong foundation you must learn the rudiments. Having a strong foundation will enable you to grow and achieve your goals on the drums. Think of the importance of learning rudiments in the same way pianists or other instrumentalists learn scales. In the book I introduce different ways to learn and orchestrate rudiments around the kit in hopes to spark ones imagination and creativity.</div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /><div aria-controls=":1l1" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Message Body" aria-multiline="true" aria-owns=":1l1" class="Am aiL Al editable LW-avf tS-tW tS-tY" g_editable="true" hidefocus="true" id=":1it" role="textbox" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; min-height: 222px;" tabindex="1"><b>2) What was the motivation and inspiration for putting together this method?</b><br /><br /> I started playing the drums when I was four years old and my teachers taught me the importance of learning the rudiments since my very first lesson. I have a strong rudimental foundation. While studying the master drummers I found that they all have studied their rudiments. So with that observation I knew that these are incumbent for us drummers to master. I always found myself trying to play the various rudiments around the kit in different ways that would spark my creativity. I’d play each beat on a different drum, play left hand accents on the high tom, play right hand accents on the floor tom, as many different ways around the kit as possible. When I ask my students to learn this rudiment or that I get a sense of why? I get it that playing these patterns over and over on a pad or a drum can be a bore. In trying to excite them I would sketch out ideas orchestrating the rudiments around the kit for my students. I found that that they were more excited about that than learning traditional way. Although in my opinion there is no substitute to learning the traditional way. With these drum devices you cannot reinvent the wheel but we can try to add to it. Over time I complied many different exercises and when the opportunity to write a book presented itself I knew right away that this would be the subject.</div><div aria-controls=":1l1" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Message Body" aria-multiline="true" aria-owns=":1l1" class="Am aiL Al editable LW-avf tS-tW tS-tY" g_editable="true" hidefocus="true" id=":1it" role="textbox" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; min-height: 222px;" tabindex="1"><br /><b>3) How does your book differ from other snare drum method books currently on the market? What makes it unique?</b><br /><br />Honestly there are a ton of drum method books out today. I think its great but with that said I’m not hip to all of them. My book is just my humble offering to the drumming world in hopes that someone out there will find it helpful and useful. I’m sort of a traditionalist when it comes to drum methods. My book is no substitute to the “drum bibles” as I like to call them, such as George Lawrence Stone’s Stick Control, Charley Wilcoxon’s Modern Rudimental Swing Solos for the Advanced Drummer, Ted Reed’s Syncopation, Dahlgren and Fine’s 4 Way Coordination. I studied all of these books and their influence on me has shaped my playing and teaching. One may find some small similarities? I feel that my book has the idea of playing music (melody) in mind along with drumming techniques.<br /><br /><b>4) How do you recommend students and teachers approach working through your materials?</b><br /><br />One may have the urge to jump right in and go for it, but I feel it is very important to have a practice routine with goals in mind. When practicing, you should work on the things that you have trouble with. Playing what you already know is ok, but it will not maximize your practice time or help you learn new things. For me, I believe in practicing slowly and gradually working the tempo up. This strategy will not only help you break down the exercises but will often give you clarity. Remember there is nothing difficult; it is either familiar or unfamiliar. When playing through these exercises, give yourself a chance to really learn them. Repetition is the key. Pay close attention to the rhythm and to the sticking indicated, alternate when possible, practice beat by beat, bar by bar, and start to add the following bars until you feel absolutely comfortable with the exercise. Then move on to the next exercise and so on. I also highly recommend recording yourself while practicing so that you can hear exactly what you sound like. Remember to take your time and be patient with yourself. You’ll be able to get the most out of my book this way.</div><div aria-controls=":1l1" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Message Body" aria-multiline="true" aria-owns=":1l1" class="Am aiL Al editable LW-avf tS-tW tS-tY" g_editable="true" hidefocus="true" id=":1it" role="textbox" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; min-height: 222px;" tabindex="1"><br /><b>5) What are some of the challenges of putting together a drum method book? What advice do you have for anybody potentially interested in publishing their own book?</b><br /><br />This is my first book and it definitely had its challenges. I found the editing step to be at times frustrating. I would submit a draft and then I would find another error and this kept happening over and over. So much that I thought it was a practical joke being played on me haha. I wanted every mistake corrected before it was published. Because of this it delayed the release for almost a year. The team at Low Down Publishing were very helpful and supportive. I wanted to do my best for them as well as everyone who may pickup a copy. Any advice I’d give would be to follow your heart. If there is something you truly believe in, in this case publishing a drum method book, then go for it. A great starting point is to just start writing down your ideas. Work out your ideas and make the necessary adjustments that expresses what you’d like to say on the drums. Just be honest!…that goes a long way and no-one can deny you.<br /><br /></div><div aria-controls=":1l1" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Message Body" aria-multiline="true" aria-owns=":1l1" class="Am aiL Al editable LW-avf tS-tW tS-tY" g_editable="true" hidefocus="true" id=":1it" role="textbox" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; min-height: 222px;" tabindex="1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXBfJgBieMS_KNtP2hllBnSNx0rkYRZWY4DDTxd7xGyzTbk-4t69Fu4XCtOHZdUvPhTywNDKcQ7TlSfxzoffvvPAm5y4a9fwT3A2YI5TNu9Z-3RSc7Te0uAAn07fRdetnaa6wXsLxQC3hro4Llxm3p7yil8GVyo71rOypz8Wgp04DyaecSa_s420nnDA/s1099/Carmen%20Performing%20Smiling.jpeg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="785" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXBfJgBieMS_KNtP2hllBnSNx0rkYRZWY4DDTxd7xGyzTbk-4t69Fu4XCtOHZdUvPhTywNDKcQ7TlSfxzoffvvPAm5y4a9fwT3A2YI5TNu9Z-3RSc7Te0uAAn07fRdetnaa6wXsLxQC3hro4Llxm3p7yil8GVyo71rOypz8Wgp04DyaecSa_s420nnDA/w286-h400/Carmen%20Performing%20Smiling.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><div aria-controls=":1l1" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Message Body" aria-multiline="true" aria-owns=":1l1" class="Am aiL Al editable LW-avf tS-tW tS-tY" g_editable="true" hidefocus="true" id=":1it" role="textbox" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; min-height: 222px;" tabindex="1"><div aria-controls=":1l1" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Message Body" aria-multiline="true" aria-owns=":1l1" class="Am aiL Al editable LW-avf tS-tW tS-tY" g_editable="true" hidefocus="true" id=":1it" role="textbox" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; min-height: 222px;" tabindex="1"><br />Carmen is currently accepting new students. Click here for more information: <a href="http://www.carmenintorrejr.com/onlinelessons">www.carmenintorrejr.com/onlinelessons</a><br /><br />To purchase an autographed copy of <i>A Practical Approach to Rudimental Drumming</i> please e.mail Carmen directly at carmenintorrejr@gmail.com<br /><br />To purchase <i>A Practical Approach to Rudimental Drumming</i> please click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Approach-Rudimental-Drumming/dp/B0CHKZ4YT2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OI3TXUMCXDAH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.w1T0wsyGdT61-pocqtNE6QNY6r9LP_k_OF8gB-FfiRTGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.E_-UaDH5YplGips2tN8n3jnLZ5ugr4AedditpYwpHXI&dib_tag=se&keywords=a+practical+approach+to+rudimental+drumming&qid=1708439037&sprefix=a+practical+approach+to+rudimental%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-1#customerReviews" target="_blank">here</a> for more information</div>About Carmen Intorre Jr.:<br /><br />Born in Buffalo, NY, Carmen Intorre developed an early interest in music and began playing drums at age five. He has performed and recorded with numerous musicians such as George Benson, Larry Coryell, Wynton Marsalis, Monty Alexander, George Coleman, Eric Alexander, George Cables, Benny Golson, Richie Cole, Joe Locke, Lew Tabackin, Bobby Watson, Ira Sullivan, Bucky Pizzarelli, and many others. Carmen currently holds down the drum chair with legendary jazz guitarist Pat Martino, touring extensively throughout the world with the guitarist’s organ trio and quintet. <br /><br /></div>A 2011 GRAMMY® nominee for his co-producer credit on the critically acclaimed album by Joey DeFrancesco entitled Never Can Say Goodbye: The Music of Michael Jackson, Intorre also had the pleasure of performing alongside DeFrancesco and Dr. Lonnie Smith on the PBS show Legends of Jazz, hosted by Ramsey Lewis. Receiving both his BM and MM degrees from Juilliard Intorre is always eager to uncover the latest information about music and drumming and to share that information with others. He states, “This is my job. I have to give back what I was given a chance to do.” He goes on to explain, “Music is an opportunity for me to give up my soul, while in the process connecting with the audiences’ souls as well. I want the musicians on the bandstand and the members of the audience to feel uplifted after a performance, to feel great about themselves through the experience that they encountered.”Perhaps one word best describes Carmen Intorre and his music: Joy.</div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /></div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf">Reminiscent of Billy Higgins, Intorre brings a palpable swing and drive to virtually every bandstand he performs on.</div><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":1jf"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eMls4gY3o6StKNnjBv0M2tAYRWdHcUHhwWTBgN4LacWrYROmzmQAEeGFX0r1dr5FwFZvev5FfAo4HwpgMw570Zx1OZXB1H6iErkGeXRXDz_7v8GKhMHKq677-QobXrGWCfs054vo70bAPr2t7jv6WZ_18DgW6iIKupHAtIwphXjrnGtX2KXrM61_PYc/s1492/Carmen%20Logo.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eMls4gY3o6StKNnjBv0M2tAYRWdHcUHhwWTBgN4LacWrYROmzmQAEeGFX0r1dr5FwFZvev5FfAo4HwpgMw570Zx1OZXB1H6iErkGeXRXDz_7v8GKhMHKq677-QobXrGWCfs054vo70bAPr2t7jv6WZ_18DgW6iIKupHAtIwphXjrnGtX2KXrM61_PYc/w400-h219/Carmen%20Logo.png" /></a></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-56205331736359557352024-02-19T09:00:00.011-05:002024-02-19T11:14:09.147-05:00Antonio Sanchez!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgP0sw4OdMkcm1fVftte_xGOALcIJRVGWqEgDV1qJv8nrzb8bACpiuWJEEn6wTpAorQEO69s-ix-O007IGNXHAQajt2mAJrL-cyUqgrzBir5XTt87VEwvp48kpqdvATZSEvqpWjPm88o3vr9KTP9zzmeQmOnbxfMdngYolvUN9bIc_Q3J8ux2I8089Jg/s1050/Antonio%20Sanchez!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1050" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgP0sw4OdMkcm1fVftte_xGOALcIJRVGWqEgDV1qJv8nrzb8bACpiuWJEEn6wTpAorQEO69s-ix-O007IGNXHAQajt2mAJrL-cyUqgrzBir5XTt87VEwvp48kpqdvATZSEvqpWjPm88o3vr9KTP9zzmeQmOnbxfMdngYolvUN9bIc_Q3J8ux2I8089Jg/w400-h294/Antonio%20Sanchez!.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A fantastic piece of percussive and rhythmic storytelling from Antonio Sanchez today, playing his Yamaha drums:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nTzZ9SAWqVQ?si=BCwLWVDdaMtZVLnb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-63371073265221577932024-02-05T09:00:00.018-05:002024-02-05T09:00:00.158-05:00Kendrick Scott!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBy-JjSEeZNrZEuARUMIu6_HX_PbiBIujVprA6KTvUDQLmjQh7_Oag_noK_7vtWee0QJL283PhWPp1coLuDBHXB645CrNgmwyb_SiRKyAv0gLrt_6GWtrxxFR09yPEKTN0p1gb_pXrVtG_4GObk2TIYQxxRtcFkrEda_7JWmoP6YbxnzWY62ScN5fbUGY/s640/kendrick-scott-20151227064047.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="640" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBy-JjSEeZNrZEuARUMIu6_HX_PbiBIujVprA6KTvUDQLmjQh7_Oag_noK_7vtWee0QJL283PhWPp1coLuDBHXB645CrNgmwyb_SiRKyAv0gLrt_6GWtrxxFR09yPEKTN0p1gb_pXrVtG_4GObk2TIYQxxRtcFkrEda_7JWmoP6YbxnzWY62ScN5fbUGY/w400-h299/kendrick-scott-20151227064047.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>A quick post today featuring Kendrick Scott playing his Yamaha drums with some very inspired, creative and musical solo drumming:<p></p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4yBLCz2uiX8?si=vBEegZT20J4pGdpA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>(thanks to Craig VanDerSchaegen aka <a href="https://www.practicingdrummer.com/" target="_blank">The Practicing Drummer</a> for sharing this one via Instagram last week)</p>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-50027590589110448192024-01-29T16:39:00.001-05:002024-01-29T16:43:28.789-05:00Bill Stewart!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScq64p9MXIFQnjd-fObgQCYI16d0PY89IYpTfSsgVAbZFqiZpNhDUA6OLv48n8IPp8mveWSHX2cGBq9PHwF05kWU-63mh8RqJnSBF_PVobIrg5Kk26oeVI361K3ivDY_85AhgO7Zf44b86szr4rWym6-BIgGhLjig6pJVaA_-1i5YPqfRBaLqKff8kDY/s1266/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-29%20at%202.36.27%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1266" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScq64p9MXIFQnjd-fObgQCYI16d0PY89IYpTfSsgVAbZFqiZpNhDUA6OLv48n8IPp8mveWSHX2cGBq9PHwF05kWU-63mh8RqJnSBF_PVobIrg5Kk26oeVI361K3ivDY_85AhgO7Zf44b86szr4rWym6-BIgGhLjig6pJVaA_-1i5YPqfRBaLqKff8kDY/w400-h260/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-29%20at%202.36.27%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks to Wordpress user and YouTuber James Sedge who shared this great bird's-eye view footage of Bill Stewart in action with John Scofield and Vicente Archer:</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X9EY55OtvHQ?si=Nuy4mXaNXnTzyAjo" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4GcHccmSfBs?si=-hoHy6c6e_zBLvwB" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0skDnN7UfVDDnVG12_uWpXurX29uT3G6GXGYq7Un_IoemKDgj_Fz_4vArtAdJtSuR17rybk-SARP_yVZ0u-Asc_g4OwpZ3JLaHyjf0FBN7iZ9myNDvAUmeKNoKPyGPc2JmLMo_Z5oWre8jdzgUhlueCmCHQIiTg6HDjnv_jpVuOzgWGRDm_TXPsC4778/s1206/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-29%20at%2012.34.45%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1206" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0skDnN7UfVDDnVG12_uWpXurX29uT3G6GXGYq7Un_IoemKDgj_Fz_4vArtAdJtSuR17rybk-SARP_yVZ0u-Asc_g4OwpZ3JLaHyjf0FBN7iZ9myNDvAUmeKNoKPyGPc2JmLMo_Z5oWre8jdzgUhlueCmCHQIiTg6HDjnv_jpVuOzgWGRDm_TXPsC4778/w400-h326/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-29%20at%2012.34.45%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Photo by James Sedge <a href="https://gigexperience.home.blog/">www.gigexperience.home.blog</a></div><div><br /></div><div>(anyone care to comment on what cymbals Bill is playing here?)</div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-8764352602077878002024-01-22T09:00:00.018-05:002024-01-22T09:00:00.352-05:00Drum Battle with Kenny Washington & Joe Farnsworth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHFlfYQWxUJfYhFZcQD8nlN21KCsKxMHoGo7qICGm_21dW7ReAM-lhwv8uU_YH0A4bXq5DZKGTWHjhLHoJh2J4r7j357Ek9Iu-p6huxhjnJACNfQ_-ug67KFG9FvEIGWqdXlNQgpHQLRIrmYDKgvR0PTmooCekaR5v08kz1rP8alRFtcZ1xcQSQde0Dk/s476/KennyWashingtonJoeFarnsworth.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="476" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHFlfYQWxUJfYhFZcQD8nlN21KCsKxMHoGo7qICGm_21dW7ReAM-lhwv8uU_YH0A4bXq5DZKGTWHjhLHoJh2J4r7j357Ek9Iu-p6huxhjnJACNfQ_-ug67KFG9FvEIGWqdXlNQgpHQLRIrmYDKgvR0PTmooCekaR5v08kz1rP8alRFtcZ1xcQSQde0Dk/w400-h224/KennyWashingtonJoeFarnsworth.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you to Joe Farnsworth for sharing a preview of his "percussion discussion" with Kenny Washington, from a recent hit at New York's Smoke jazz club, part of their Max Roach Centennial Celebration.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fgcRXB4agdE?si=qkBsbQufT69JnAux" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>editors note: I think that the term "Drum Battle" may be a bit misleading here as it could imply that someone ones wins and someone loses. However, personally I think that when two drummers like this join forces on the bandstand, in fact, everyone wins!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjnJgaZFHzYCVFUwhe328yHNWNSsC_dsfiJz2AhTmtoRd7RmAoitgxTtyze3xE977MtdHOrUiExK6qMxPtxNVNKpTIhyphenhyphens4_QIGNmsN9LeWlElUd2G5AFhBy4Xtp4saD1FZDH8tLBn4fxEWtFScPCiuk1Ba4MU-PnHfpZFirKXwzWAtPtwn-Ux4JJdfVg/s1282/FarnsVS.KWash.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1282" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjnJgaZFHzYCVFUwhe328yHNWNSsC_dsfiJz2AhTmtoRd7RmAoitgxTtyze3xE977MtdHOrUiExK6qMxPtxNVNKpTIhyphenhyphens4_QIGNmsN9LeWlElUd2G5AFhBy4Xtp4saD1FZDH8tLBn4fxEWtFScPCiuk1Ba4MU-PnHfpZFirKXwzWAtPtwn-Ux4JJdfVg/w400-h384/FarnsVS.KWash.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-77829327418834471692024-01-15T09:00:00.089-05:002024-02-04T21:13:39.476-05:00Olio! - Decidedly Jazz Danceworks<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDMUMjOKthw_T557aWkU9CIcdXc18x268O-nz8P4WRT30lA016XL1mLGidR-4hEFvDzNnhws-7ISen_hZSsVi3No53m7BbNj9Ku86w_tXpIcMnoDXLgKy3tjgX5Wgv6vG_bh5WwZ8n9Xu5PALFNSZILjT48wAjwQ0iDoBrHQJ-Qif39Lc_89W2FcX3Hk/s1080/Olio%20Jan%2018-28.jpeg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDMUMjOKthw_T557aWkU9CIcdXc18x268O-nz8P4WRT30lA016XL1mLGidR-4hEFvDzNnhws-7ISen_hZSsVi3No53m7BbNj9Ku86w_tXpIcMnoDXLgKy3tjgX5Wgv6vG_bh5WwZ8n9Xu5PALFNSZILjT48wAjwQ0iDoBrHQJ-Qif39Lc_89W2FcX3Hk/w400-h400/Olio%20Jan%2018-28.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /></p><p>And...we're back.</p><div>It's already been a busy start to the New Year 2024 but I had a wonderful time attending the JEN conference in New Orleans and I'm already plotting my return to the Crescent City (after all, one can never get enough beignets and chicory coffee...)<br /><br />A quick shout-out to a bunch of great musicians I heard and all the great people I hung out with who made my trip such an inspiring and memorable experience:<br /><br />Peter Erskine<div>Jeff Hamilton<br /><div>Allison Miller</div><div>Rudy Royston</div><div>Ignacio Berroa</div><div>Johnny Vidacovich</div><div>Quincy Davis</div><div>Will Kennedy</div><div>Jason Marsalis</div><div>Matt Wilson</div><div>McClenty Hunter</div><div>Carl Allen</div><div>Shannon Powell</div><div>Justin Varnes</div><div>John and Mari Jo deWaal</div><div>Paul Read and Trish Colter</div><div>Natalie Wilson</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oL0zyPhmMjCowey3JQ9nSxEVfnjaxzEjoDHDFQA0pdK99aPAgEQOYOrH4lK-CQ-jXy159emFYzTDTNKvGSV88x4gTknJRVjER7LtTsB7qNfgxhylEGZT7XRAoskxbvRR-tSwGoNlk9iHtXreY4gPKO5-xKIwgYilY9GWHPhwokniL8iOPED_I76iS2U/s4032/Preservation%20Hall.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oL0zyPhmMjCowey3JQ9nSxEVfnjaxzEjoDHDFQA0pdK99aPAgEQOYOrH4lK-CQ-jXy159emFYzTDTNKvGSV88x4gTknJRVjER7LtTsB7qNfgxhylEGZT7XRAoskxbvRR-tSwGoNlk9iHtXreY4gPKO5-xKIwgYilY9GWHPhwokniL8iOPED_I76iS2U/w300-h400/Preservation%20Hall.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLU2R7zyvF9BizR-n4IMgL7V5SpSzwJnykXCqnCiLBta28RlpnMX4dS-l9kJbE9Djov5b1JdK__TFpJPL6rXzx93K2eQifTlNFYxIv_f72wpDPz9IupdTp1yyc5weE5-rnGZRYJBPpJ6gQWz5dNymMfXV3Y-cwGvxOVkYVHcPWIPpVVSb03XpRWWV3NUs/s4032/Congo%20Square.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLU2R7zyvF9BizR-n4IMgL7V5SpSzwJnykXCqnCiLBta28RlpnMX4dS-l9kJbE9Djov5b1JdK__TFpJPL6rXzx93K2eQifTlNFYxIv_f72wpDPz9IupdTp1yyc5weE5-rnGZRYJBPpJ6gQWz5dNymMfXV3Y-cwGvxOVkYVHcPWIPpVVSb03XpRWWV3NUs/w300-h400/Congo%20Square.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So what's happening?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, as usual, things are on the go these days and I am currently working with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Canada's premier contemporary jazz dance company, on their new production of <i>Olio</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>The show runs opens on Thursday, January 18th and runs until January 28th, part of the annual 38th annual 2024 <a href="https://www.oyr.org/hprodeo/" target="_blank">High Performance Rodeo</a></div><div><br /></div><div>For ticket information please visit <a href="https://www.decidedlyjazz.com/experience/events/olio/">www.decidedlyjazz.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Olio</i> means a stew, or a collection of thing, and in this case it’s an exciting new performance created by five dynamic choreographers: company dancers Catherine Hayward, Sabrina Naz Comanescu and Kaja Irwin; DJD alumnus, Deanne Walsh; and DJD artistic director Kimberley Cooper. </div><div><br /></div><div>The music is played by a trio led by myself on drums with Jonathan Wielebnowski on bass and Chris Tauchner on piano.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm really excited about this upcoming show and very proud of this particular production. I've been fortunate to have worked with DJD since 2011 on over a dozen or so shows and projects, all under the musical leadership of bassist and composer Rubim De Toledo. However, for this show I was invited by Kimberley Cooper to be the musical director, to work with each of the choreographers and to offer my own musical ideas and stylistic contributions. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is a tremendous honour to work not only with such a great company and talented group of artists but also to have the opportunity to contribute my own original music, compositions and arrangements to their creations.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Fall 2023 was quite busy between developing ideas and going back and forth with all the individual choreographers but it's been an exciting ongoing collaborative process. Now that we are only mere days away from our opening night, it's really interesting to see and hear how the choreography and music has come to life and evolved over the last few months. It's really something special to be a part of and I'm very proud of what we've accomplished.</div><div><br /></div><div>The music for <i>Olio</i> is eclectic, quite diverse and all falls under the giant wide umbrella that is called <i>Jazz</i>. It swings, sings the blues, is up-beat, it's slow and introspective, funky, very rhythmic, it shimmers, rumbles and tumbles and everything in between. It's really been an amazing experience working with Catherine, Sabrina, Kaja and Deanne who all bring so much imagination and passion to their craft. I also really sincerely appreciate Kim for being so supportive, putting her trust in my musical abilities and for inviting me to create the music for this project.</div><div><br /></div><div>I always find my involvement with DJD to be a creative challenge and enjoy reaching deep and far and wide rhythmically, using the drum set orchestrally to give each piece what it needs, in a unique way that serves both the music and the dance. This show is no different and I've really learned a lot from the compositional and creative process that emerged over the last four months. I think anyone who listens to the music I've written (expressed so musically, I might add, by Chris Tauchner on piano and Jonathan Wielebnowski on bass) will hopefully experience a wide range of my influences, both as a drummer and composer. </div><div><br /></div><div>*here's some insider info: both Duke Ellington's <i>Money Jungle</i> album recorded with Max Roach and Charles Mingus in 1962 and Terri Lyne Carrington's 2013 sonic re-imagination of the same album were both significant influences for this project (among others)...but you'll have to hear it for yourself*</div><div><br /></div><div>This show is definitely a career highlight for me and I really hope you enjoy watching this show as much as we do performing it!</div><div><br /></div><div>For more information visit: <a href="https://www.decidedlyjazz.com/experience/events/olio/">www.decidedlyjazz.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIZIlH1CyoYi3UL2sszILlY4Rqv_luMl86EXeVA_stVzoimoU6e3IPhOwe_VaG8dHrLDPonhO2eYP0X3gb7JVD2nthz8HVxkWEVtq045sAwxYrEjf2iqs0Mi3hk7mC7_OQseKSG6Uc91NgU-LxEBDerVDXCokeI0MA9ratiYeXeeydCXKSFRAwOrNA5w/s640/JonDJDdrums.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIZIlH1CyoYi3UL2sszILlY4Rqv_luMl86EXeVA_stVzoimoU6e3IPhOwe_VaG8dHrLDPonhO2eYP0X3gb7JVD2nthz8HVxkWEVtq045sAwxYrEjf2iqs0Mi3hk7mC7_OQseKSG6Uc91NgU-LxEBDerVDXCokeI0MA9ratiYeXeeydCXKSFRAwOrNA5w/w300-h400/JonDJDdrums.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div>(photo by Kimberley Cooper)<div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1xl4y_HjH5P13oaQMKvrSfZ-kBaOVj_pmTKWGMUApq8IdLcymPzEnkts_cyh5HsTkxdBZMZR-Q6XUyrVIAunBmt2wt1WolE3jgk6oepvI67yl89lbh9FNmHPcdeiK7zjPmw5KJeEIbgzTqANmTp1k5svZu-VUdG_DgP_WNCFtKvloniOP6XxcQQQLY4/s340/DJD%20Screen%20Shot.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="152" data-original-width="340" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1xl4y_HjH5P13oaQMKvrSfZ-kBaOVj_pmTKWGMUApq8IdLcymPzEnkts_cyh5HsTkxdBZMZR-Q6XUyrVIAunBmt2wt1WolE3jgk6oepvI67yl89lbh9FNmHPcdeiK7zjPmw5KJeEIbgzTqANmTp1k5svZu-VUdG_DgP_WNCFtKvloniOP6XxcQQQLY4/w400-h179/DJD%20Screen%20Shot.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-4088351599956004742024-01-01T09:00:00.300-05:002024-01-01T09:00:00.248-05:00The Monday Morning Paradiddle - January 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRcgLlXZxvyH4biTl8i7PIlO1l81llmqZBe_sNtwewy7TNTr5RSr1wwyb0KPe7NMIUz7s0ksBME7EX-1b6tvNNEEETVpiiok_WasgVIjuH18b2NFwHjKcGeKMJvGzQgyNaRdpZkWaEE469-NXVHSpvAg5hyphenhyphenHezTWZwg31w8f63oVOi7LNa62fwLt6Xj4/s600/Paradiddle.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRcgLlXZxvyH4biTl8i7PIlO1l81llmqZBe_sNtwewy7TNTr5RSr1wwyb0KPe7NMIUz7s0ksBME7EX-1b6tvNNEEETVpiiok_WasgVIjuH18b2NFwHjKcGeKMJvGzQgyNaRdpZkWaEE469-NXVHSpvAg5hyphenhyphenHezTWZwg31w8f63oVOi7LNa62fwLt6Xj4/w400-h230/Paradiddle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>And...we're back.</p><p>Thanks for checking in over the holidays and I'd thought start off the year 2024 with a percussive blog post bang. So please enjoy the January 2024 edition of <i>The Monday Morning Paradiddle</i>, my more-or-less monthly jazz drumming variety column. </p><p>Hey, I'm going to be in New Orleans this week, attending the <a href="https://jazzednet.org/" target="_blank">Jazz Education Network</a>'s annual JEN Conference. It's my first time attending this conference and this will also my first time in the Crescent City. So if you are also going to be there please drop me a line and I'd be delighted to connect. Check my social media feeds (Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fouronthefloorblog/" target="_blank">@fouronthefloorblog</a> in particular) for regular updates.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mG4y4yJF1IFbyYOmRtDCfEApfiOL_uqtMrDTYz6ifkaa2AKSWkmty_ww6LNrNy1ROGj_CfmMBdJUfDZaMIbzItIBxfpd-teutBMcXy9WxaYulMeI1-0FV0grptgi7aIwDPD7dbOXLaNxsL1XA8FIZA3OS9OFHg5uYJ26cjGhHJ3Wiun5Zsiwv_rubXY/s2340/JEN%202024%20Banner.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="2340" height="48" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mG4y4yJF1IFbyYOmRtDCfEApfiOL_uqtMrDTYz6ifkaa2AKSWkmty_ww6LNrNy1ROGj_CfmMBdJUfDZaMIbzItIBxfpd-teutBMcXy9WxaYulMeI1-0FV0grptgi7aIwDPD7dbOXLaNxsL1XA8FIZA3OS9OFHg5uYJ26cjGhHJ3Wiun5Zsiwv_rubXY/w400-h48/JEN%202024%20Banner.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Subscribe to Four on the Floor today!</p><p>Please consider entering your e.mail address on the right side of the page to subscribe to my mailing list. Don't miss out, subscribe today and receive Four on the Floor directly to your inbox!<br /><br />Just click on the link that looks like the icon above, located on the right hand side of the page to subscribe to my mailing list via Mailchimp and you'll receive regular updates whenever a new blog post is published.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTMN7TU1RZnbo36eDoFkXlFmj9Q5PuUf8i067FBsthtOzQqAlFqpaipV9WYE0jk_G-uYYV6uxRxV6QVtTukTlRR79Rrsxk4nLFgLNcr1WXDB7X4tTM3WOrwK8BYvrS9_Jan1OO6YbghReTLLuLW3OAJXhrubXo1EYjZ1aDVNLkqB-FW2dtvjl8j1-YGE/s502/Subscribe!.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="502" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTMN7TU1RZnbo36eDoFkXlFmj9Q5PuUf8i067FBsthtOzQqAlFqpaipV9WYE0jk_G-uYYV6uxRxV6QVtTukTlRR79Rrsxk4nLFgLNcr1WXDB7X4tTM3WOrwK8BYvrS9_Jan1OO6YbghReTLLuLW3OAJXhrubXo1EYjZ1aDVNLkqB-FW2dtvjl8j1-YGE/w200-h148/Subscribe!.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Monday Morning Paradiddle - January 2024</b></span></div><div><div><br /></div><div>
1. When someone says that <i>Jazz is Dead</i> these days, I usually shake my head but I'm actually often curious as to what they are listening to (or more importantly, what they <i>aren't </i>listening to!) <a href="http://jonmccaslinjazzdrummer.blogspot.com/2023/12/tim-mahs-recommended-canadian-jazz.html" target="_blank">Tim Mah's annual list of recommended Canadian jazz albums</a> (see last week's blog post) always highlights the great things happening up here in the Great White North. Please take a read and check out some amazing new music.</div><div><br /></div><div>Similarly, Ottawa's Peter Hum is also on the pulse of current happenings in Canadian jazz so please check out his excellent year-end list here as well, found in the <a href="https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/jazzblog/from-swinging-big-bands-to-intimate-balladry-to-genre-mashups-here-are-2023s-best-canadian-jazz-albums" target="_blank">Ottawa Citizen</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>
2. A wonderful article and tribute to the late Tony Oxley from the always informed and articulate <a href="https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/tony-oxley-1938-2023?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1158879&post_id=140121129&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxMDkyMzMzMzEsInBvc3RfaWQiOjE0MDEyMTEyOSwiaWF0IjoxNzAzNzExNjk5LCJleHAiOjE3MDYzMDM2OTksImlzcyI6InB1Yi0xMTU4ODc5Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.0J_u7xyQJGymOML0nQpRdLAUs75yq0_Zo4m0aOOoCos&r=1t18z7&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">Vinnie Sperrazza</a></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bbaRQ9JXS3Y?si=5JAUJsO0ktM7ztjs" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>3. Allison Miller interviewed by <a href="https://www.ivoox.com/allison-miller-this-music-is-about-motion-audios-mp3_rf_120754817_1.html" target="_blank">The Midnight Disease</a>, <a href="https://thejazzsession.com/2023/12/14/the-jazz-session-633-allison-miller/" target="_blank">The Jazz Session</a> and the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/my/podcast/437-allison-miller-dc-roots-connecting-her-drumming/id1581708908?i=1000628658153" target="_blank">Working Drummer Podcast</a> on the heels of her incredible new release <a href="https://www.allisonmiller.com/" target="_blank">Rivers of Our Veins</a></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K2XbpB52RfU?si=BRvED6m5ZQoNP7Yd" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div><div>4. And also from Matthew Crouse's <i>Working Drummer Podcast</i> this fantastic interview with <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/my/podcast/448-ra-kalam-bob-moses-getting-beyond-your-tendencies/id1581708908?i=1000638523247" target="_blank">Ra Kalam Bob Moses</a></div><div><br /></div><div>5. Award-winning drummer, author, historian and educator Daniel Glass interviewed by <a href="https://drummerspathway.podbean.com/e/episode-28-daniel-glass-new-york-drummer-educator-historian/" target="_blank">The Drummer's Pathway</a></div><div><br /></div><div>6. A fascinating piece from the CBC on the late <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2127606851967" target="_blank">Charlie Watts' collection of drums</a> including those owned and played by Max Roach, Joe Morello and Tony Williams</div><div><br /></div><div>7. Thanks to Craig VanDerSchaegen who shared this fantastic interview with Billy Higgins:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/emsR5L--yss?si=AVxIqo6N0AlTf3_Y" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's what Ron Carter had to say about Billy Higgins: </div><div><a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/bp2LfixFNTM?si=4td9Ez4Ry4Zgk9t8">https://youtube.com/shorts/bp2LfixFNTM?si=4td9Ez4Ry4Zgk9t8</a></div><div><br /></div><div>8. <i>Time to Connect</i> interviews Johnathan Blake:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VTkuLEZBvjw?si=_1ge9Kh9mlo5CwIY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div><div>9. Nasheet Waits on Max Roach:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5p5eCh5Gc-U?si=CJu2hoiDF85l4ed0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>10. My teacher and mentor John Riley interviewed by <i>The Back of the Band Room</i>:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/byuHkH-SXM0?si=TAcKcUQYydCheUD7" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lAcms5BN5PI?si=9vjaYF34Qy2naz7m" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div><div>
11. Some wisdom from Lewis Nash:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kkcZ909LdVM?si=L2w6w7HhUGfbLK4y" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
12. Kenny Washington returns to the Drum Candy Podcast:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-JWUpM3IeXA?si=XK4LOuYMg3SHV-98" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MawTiZav_Kk?si=KGEDAJUDwNmO54mT" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div><div>13. It wouldn't be a <i>Monday Monday Paradiddle </i>without some videos from Quincy Davis' excellent ongoing <i>Q-Tips </i>series:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ERJPp_dXC4M?si=Fcluu_QIpJAH_PP_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EWeA8_KlVh0?si=FU3300cCTl11jUH1" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NHURldOilUI?si=xhrq6Gzo9bxj_e6z" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div><div>
14. Marcus Gilmore takes a spin on his Sonor drums:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xS7kYPuraos?si=8QTRG9mh2Gq7R0Yn" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
15. Willie Jones III with Roy Hargrove, Michael Brecker and Herbie Hancock:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S-buBh10i9A?si=qKgTRkOrNqz0z-bD" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
16. Thanks to the prolific Todd Bishop over at <a href="http://www.cruiseshipdrummer.com/" target="_blank">Cruiseship Drummer</a> who hipped me to this duet of Peter Erskine and Bob Mintzer from the album <i>Hymn</i>:</div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TlSIRDdXR4c?si=UsIG-x_KLvAMPIFH" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>17. Kyle Poole unleashes on a spirited version of Cherokee:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zdSurbPPiS8?si=vTTZnRTaGpgIo_ul" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
18. Okay dig this...Art Taylor playing trio with John Coltrane and Paul Chambers circa. 1958:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hfC0tQvhic4?si=GdRh5YwxvcIqNS3H" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>19. What am I listening to these days?</div><div><br /></div><div>Duke Ellington "Money Jungle" - Max Roach (drums)</div><div><br /></div><div>Nate Smith "Pocket Change" - Nate Smith (drums)</div><div><br /></div><div>Dexter Gordon "Our Man in Paris" - Kenny Clarke (drums)</div><div><br /></div><div>Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band "Rumba Buhaina" - Steve Berrios (drums)</div><div><br /></div><div>Peter Erskine Trio "As It Was: ECM Old and New Masters Series" - Peter Erskine (drums)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>
20. And today's <b><i>Final Word</i></b> comes from the great Victor Lewis:</div></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>“You just got to be cool. And if you’re not cool, then you should be cool. </b></span><b style="font-size: large;">Because THAT’S COOL!”</b><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>- Victor Lewis </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>(via Vancouver's Bruce Nielsen)</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>As always, when the Masters speak, we listen.</i></span></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for all your continued support and hope to see you all in the year ahead 2024 (which will incidentally also be the 15th anniversary of this blog!)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh51NljkzFocU4GbOfv9Uq-OsiAxT3pML2XqVG3y_PLmm7iGulrO1fYa8Gt61OCOFjAhICatG1G1KLDh79g2gJLPmI0i-FDTqhvjtKXpc4vLw5g8XxAUTBT1H4Q7cVaDR1P-O6u34rpZYVFdLvOc56ATodv5bE_9tVYwc3Ym_y2gOHQfvTg-Cio1LJFo/s1704/Victor%20Lewis.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1704" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh51NljkzFocU4GbOfv9Uq-OsiAxT3pML2XqVG3y_PLmm7iGulrO1fYa8Gt61OCOFjAhICatG1G1KLDh79g2gJLPmI0i-FDTqhvjtKXpc4vLw5g8XxAUTBT1H4Q7cVaDR1P-O6u34rpZYVFdLvOc56ATodv5bE_9tVYwc3Ym_y2gOHQfvTg-Cio1LJFo/w400-h226/Victor%20Lewis.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-33739856769834994062023-12-27T09:00:00.012-05:002023-12-27T09:00:00.143-05:00Tim Mah's Recommended Canadian Jazz Albums of 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKX5DbZvFL7eWfbZ_-Lc-0v7Krn922jdOZIOaDsKC8eSd6iD6LqoZVSiy_DNI8X62K-ygv8Tc3EjM3GQapijvoA3LbXx0HDhvR6iK39qx5gHBDBZnqgQiiU_d0hNOIP0VHmq74oNDOI6GCnwI1H8mXMKl0dI6_mIJUgMxu-YCIpylffRr3GKHgTcga_dk/s1006/Tim%20Mah's%20Recommended%20Canadian%20Jazz%20Albums%20of%202023.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1006" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKX5DbZvFL7eWfbZ_-Lc-0v7Krn922jdOZIOaDsKC8eSd6iD6LqoZVSiy_DNI8X62K-ygv8Tc3EjM3GQapijvoA3LbXx0HDhvR6iK39qx5gHBDBZnqgQiiU_d0hNOIP0VHmq74oNDOI6GCnwI1H8mXMKl0dI6_mIJUgMxu-YCIpylffRr3GKHgTcga_dk/w400-h248/Tim%20Mah's%20Recommended%20Canadian%20Jazz%20Albums%20of%202023.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Frequent <i>Four on the Floor</i> correspondent Tim Mah returns once again, offering his generous and extensive yearly list of music released by Canadian jazz artists over the course of the past year 2023. As you will see, read, watch and hear below, there continues to be lots of great music coming out of Canada these days.<br /><br />Tim's weekly radio program <a href="https://cjsw.com/program/jazz-today/" target="_blank">Jazz Today</a> can be heard on <a href="https://cjsw.com/" target="_blank">CJSW Radio 90.9 fm</a> (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on Thursday mornings from 530-7am MST. It is also streamed on the CJSW website and available through Apple and Google podcasts and the CJSW mobile streaming app. Tim's weekly radio program and podcast is also recommended by <a href="https://newmusicusa.org/resources/#listen-in" target="_blank">New Music USA</a>.<div><br /></div><div>Thank you Tim!<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWLFV2mRp6iPA5NT4GJh51RzzalJZ8POqCMn7qNuLQFXaAaxCncy4qkM_KrbpU98fWvM4AdE0n9kpe5b8jl6qJ4wJLzyE0yU1UzBr7lqw35KNYvCY7oGl9kHuX0_kOaBRSVZ7I4aVeoErUBlZVburlJoJ0BIx5u6TynxYq8Rltyq46q9v67iHqzfyVYA/s259/cjsw.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWLFV2mRp6iPA5NT4GJh51RzzalJZ8POqCMn7qNuLQFXaAaxCncy4qkM_KrbpU98fWvM4AdE0n9kpe5b8jl6qJ4wJLzyE0yU1UzBr7lqw35KNYvCY7oGl9kHuX0_kOaBRSVZ7I4aVeoErUBlZVburlJoJ0BIx5u6TynxYq8Rltyq46q9v67iHqzfyVYA/w320-h240/cjsw.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tim Mah's Recommended Canadian </b><b>Jazz Albums of 2023</b></span></p>During the summer, I became aware of a jazz-infused, six-part comic book series, called “Deep Cuts,” which is co-written by Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark. Upon further research, I learned that Joe Clark is a Chicago-based trumpet player, composer and educator (not to be confused with the former Canadian Prime Minister) and that he wrote a song, “I’m Just Here for the Music,” that was inspired by the story in the second issue of “Deep Cuts.” </div><div><br /></div><div>You can learn more about the origin of the comic book series and song (Leslie Beukelman – vocals, Jeremy Kahn – piano, Christian Dillingham – bass; Greg Artry – drums; Joe Clark – music) here: <div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IlaxO6Tw3hk?si=uHoccP0w8LKRslxR" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>The song title “I’m Just Here for the Music” describes what this blog is about and what this list is about. We’re here to celebrate and be advocates for this music.
Below is a list (in alphabetical order) of thirty of my favourite new releases from albums led, or co-led, by Canadians over the last twelve months (December 2022 to November 2023). </div><div><br /></div><div>Unlike some other year end lists, we are not using the word “best.” Our musical preferences are unique to ourselves. Instead of debating which is the best, let’s to listen more music and support your local live music scenes, as much as you are able. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to all of the Calgary music presenters and artists who performed in Calgary over the last year. </div><div><br /></div><div>----------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Aline’s étoile magique “eclipse” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>My favourite performance at the 2023 summer jazz festival in Calgary was by Aline’s étoile magique, a quintet led by violinist and songwriter Aline Homzy, which featured music from the album “eclipse.” The other musicians on the album include Thom Gill (guitar), Michael Davidson (vibraphone), Dan Fortin (bass), Marito Marques (drums) and Felicity Williams (voice). </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the official music video for “Caraway” (written by Aline Homzy):</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b4nW1hyN4nU?si=0tovJUNprOHdQ3j7" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Allison Au “Migrations” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Saxophonist and composer Allison Au’s new album “Migrations” draws inspiration from her family history of immigration. The suite of music on this album speaks to cultural identity and is the first time that Allison features vocals and a string quartet. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is “Aves Raras” from the album “Migrations”:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/acgQfHlkobU?si=E9SpnwvxCEAsk5NJ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Andrew Rathbun “The Speed of Time”</b> </div><div><br /></div><div>After releasing three albums last year, saxophonist, composer and educator Andrew Rathbun’s lone 2023 release is called “The Speed of Time” and features his quartet - Gary Versace (piano), John Hebert (bass) and Tom Rainey (drums). Thematically, the album is about the perception of time, both musically and in life. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the title track “The Speed of Time”: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8sHX5j2LM4g?si=Jr1A_sulA1eRkM5P" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Anna Webber “Shimmer Wince” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Anna Webber’s (saxophone, flute, composer) latest album, called “Shimmer Wince,” requires the band members to perform music based on “just intonation” (an ancient tuning system based on natural harmonics and resonances. The album title reflects how this style of tuning makes her feel. Her quintet includes Adam O’Farrill (trumpet), Mariel Roberts (cello), Elias Stemeseder (synthesizer) and Lesley Mok (drums).
Also, listen to Anna Webber’s other 2023 releases including “Several” with Weston Olencki (trombone), “Capacious Aeration” with Matt Mitchell (piano) and “Letters to George” from the band called George, led by John Hollenbeck (drums). </div><div><br /></div><div>This is concert features music from “Shimmer Wince” that was recorded on September 9, 2023 at Arts Center at Duck Creek:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DrjZXl6SADQ?si=YbgPcRnMDs5t0Hqe" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Anthony Fung “Fo(u)rth” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is drummer and composer Anthony Fung’s fourth album as a band leader, features Mark Turner (saxophone), Luca Alemanno (bass) and Michael Ragonese (piano). The album includes tunes written specifically for Mark Turner and also takes inspiration from his film scoring work. </div><div><br /></div><div>This song is called “The Valley” (inspired by Anthony’s move to the San Fernando Valley): </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/StfAnlHTHIA?si=S3vltJOjuj9ZZTXL" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Artemis “In Real Time” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>The ensemble Artemis, the brainchild of pianist, composer and musical director Renee Rosnes, released their second album, “In Real Time,” this summer. It showcases co-founding members, Ingrid Jensen (trumpet), Noriko Ueda (bass), and Allison Miller (drums), as well as newcomers Nicole Glover (saxophone) and Alexa Tarantino (multi-reeds). Renee Rosnes is quoted as saying “Music exists in time. Without time, there is no music.” </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a video of a live performance of “Balance of Time” (written by Renee Rosnes): </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GYRn5upY2d4?si=nzgvdy7-EcTXaxWO" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ben Wendel “All One” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Vancouver-born, Los Angeles-raised, New York based saxophone and bassoon player Ben Wendel’s latest album, “All One,” features a series of duets - with Cecile McLorin Salvant, Terence Blanchard, Bill Frisell, Elena Pinderhughes, Jose James and Tigran Hamasyan. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a video of Ben Wendel and Jose James performing “Tenderly”:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UTpADhTNwzE?si=LdvnWY0EyUcNV0OX" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Caity Gyorgy and Mark Limacher “You’re Alike, You Two” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Calgary-native, Montreal-based Caity Gyorgy (voice) and Calgary’s Mark Limacher (piano) provides their fresh interpretations of the Jerome Kern songbook on “You’re Alike, You Two.” You can add this album to the list of great Jerome Kern tribute albums (check out albums from Sandy Stewart and Dick Hyman, plus Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap). </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a video of Caity Gyorgy and Mark Limacher performing “I’ll Be Hard to Handle”: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xDdF-0v8PG4?si=aXQAvoGs5txfykdR" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Curtis Nowosad “If I Had” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>On “If I Had,” drummer Curtis Nowosad is joined by his working trio (Andrew Renfroe – guitar; Luke Sellick – bass), interpreting the music of Sam Cooke, Glen Campbell, Stevie Wonder and Nick Drake, while delivering a message of social justice. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the video for “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_w7jbjQyfJw?si=_2i_dTl4_AN-6Al0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society “Dynamic Maximum Tension” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>This double album from Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society pays homage to forward-looking mid-century innovators who fashioned their own vision of the future, with music dedicated to Buckminster Fuller, Alan Turing, Mae West, Duke Ellington, Laurie Frink, Bob Brookmeyer, and Levon Helm. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a video for “Dymaxion” (inspired by Buckminster Fuller):</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vVe9H2TeHow?si=QkE05w6KnL_tCpk5" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>David Virelles “Carta” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Pianist and composer David Virelles presents “Carta,” featuring Eric McPherson (drums) and Ben Street (bass). Eight of the nine compositions on “Carta” are written by David Virelles.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can find this album on Bandcamp: <a href="https://davidvirelles.bandcamp.com/album/carta">https://davidvirelles.bandcamp.com/album/carta</a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Erin Rogers & Alec Goldfarb “Earth’s Precisions”</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Originally from Lloydminster, Alberta, New York-based saxophonist, composer and educator Erin Rogers released “Earth’s Precisions” in June, with New York-based guitarist Alec Goldfarb. This album is inspired by the lineage of guitar & saxophone duos (from Fred Frith and Anthony Braxton to Tim Berne and Bill Frisell) and expands upon this tradition. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a video of Erin Rogers and Alec Goldfarb performing together in New York (May 2023):</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a8AS_-Zj2us?si=D9S3_JtUDOzu-AtU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Francois Houle Genera Sextet “In Memoriam” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>On the album “In Memoriam,” clarinet player and composer Francois Houle pays tribute and celebrates the memory of Ken Pickering (co-founder and artistic director of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, who passed away in 2018).
Check out Francois Houle’s other 2023 releases, including “Poise” with Benoit Delbecq, “Triocular+” with Linda Bouchard, “Voci Volante” with Charlotte Hug, “Hush” with Joe Sorbara, “Crystalline” with Daniel Janke to name a few. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is “Requiem for KP”:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NtaC6QKqocg?si=1S78kgAc2qC0JVMW" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>George “Letters to George” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>George is a group led by John Hollenbeck (drums, piano, compositions) and featuring Anna Webber (saxophone, flute), Aurora Nealand (voice, saxophones, keyboards) and Chiquita Magic (keyboards, voice, piano). The name George is derived from the Greek word, meaning “farmer, earthworker” and song titles on the album include references to famous people named George, including George Clinton, George Washington Carver and Georgia O’Keefe. This autumn, John Hollenbeck also released a duo album with pianist Marianne Trudel called “Dede Java Espiritu.” </div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the official music video for “Iceman” (the nickname for American basketball player George Gervin):</div><div> </div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NkvuEwfwc1A?si=IBnLs2sbm9C0H7CN" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hilario Duran and His Latin Jazz Big Band “Cry Me a River” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Composer and pianist Hilario Duran leads a nineteen piece ensemble with the album “Cry Me a River,” his first big band album in seventeen years. It features special guests Paquito D’Rivera, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, and OKAN. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the live in studio performance of “I Remember Mingus” (which was nominated for a 2024 Grammy Award): </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zA0k9w4x1Fs?si=7NrOIF-G1RQXp6cS" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Jessica Ackerley “Petting Zoo” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>One of my favourite guitarists on today’s scene is Jessica Ackerley, who released four albums over the last year:
- “Live Recordings” with Frank Meadows and Eli Wallace, released under the band name “MAW”
- “Submerging Silently” with bassist Gahlord DeWald and drummer Kevin Cheli. This album was named one of the 20 best experimental albums of 2023 by the online magazine PopMatters
- “Petting Zoo” with saxophonist Yuma Yusaka and drummer Colin Hinton
- “five lines indecipherable” with violinist Alex Cunningham, saxophonist Patrick Shiroishi and bassist Damon Smith.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a performance in 2018 from the Petting Zoo trio in Brooklyn, New York: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MWKDHuGAXUs?si=4h99yn7BqOpA-sis" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Jocelyn Gould “Sonic Bouquet” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Guitarist Jocelyn Gould’s third album as a leader was recorded in 2022 after completing her North American tour. The other musicians on the album include Quincy Davis (drums), Rodney Whitaker (bass), Randy Napoleon (guitar), Will Bonness (piano) and Virginia MacDonald (clarinet). </div><div><br /></div><div>This is “Tender is the Night”: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V90q3FNIHI4?si=lhnY1As29Q7wShsD" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Josh Cole “Kind Mind”</b></div><div><br /></div><div>One of the live performance highlights in Calgary this autumn featured the Toronto-based trio of Josh Cole (bass), Karen Ng (saxophone) and Michael Davidson (vibraphone), performing music from the album “Kind Mind.” </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a video of a live performance from this trio at the Open Waters Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia in January 2020: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KKkK8rav37U?si=j2S6r1r_w9h7ly0v" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Kelly Jefferson “Rituals” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>The album “Rituals” is saxophonist Kelly Jefferson’s first solo recording in over fifteen years, and features music that he wrote over the last twelve years, most of them represent a time in his life where significant changes occurred. The other musicians on the album are Amanda Tosoff (piano), Jon Maharaj (bass) and Morgan Childs (drums). </div><div><br /></div><div>This is “Holding Court”: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ev_u7CtVFsw?si=c_y9phJEitPZZrHf" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Kris Davis “Diatom Ribbons – Live at the Village Vanguard” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>This double album documents performances during a residency in May 2022 at New York’s Village Vanguard. Pianist and composer Kris Davis is joined by three musicians from the 2019 album “Diatom Ribbons” (Terri Lyne Carrington – drums, Val Jeanty - turntables, electronics and Trevor Dunn - bass) and guitarist Julian Lage. Instead of a re-recording of the 2019 album, this album includes eight new compositions and three covers (Wayne Shorter, Geri Allen and Ronald Shannon Jackson). </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a video of a live performance of “VW” (with Terri Lyne Carrington and Val Jeanty): </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wpdKXKz6QFY?si=07AKh4d885cH8MtD" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Lina Allemano Four “Pipe Dream” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>The Lina Allemano Four, led by trumpet player and composer, Lina Allemano, released “Pipe Dream” in May 2023 via her record label, Lumo Records (which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year). The other members of the quartet include Brodie West (saxophone), Andrew Downing (bass) and Nick Fraser (drums). I also recommend listening to Lina’s album called “Aphelia” with Berlin-based trumpet player, Axel Dorner, released in August 2023 by Relative Pitch Records and her album “Canons” released on December 8, 2023 via Lumo Records. Also, Lina is also part of the 2023 albums “Dead Leaf Butterfly” (with Els Vandeweyer, Maike Hilbig and Lucia Martinez) and “Khyal” (from Sophie Tassignon). </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a video of Lina Allemano Four’s live performance of “Longing” in Bremen, Germany during 2022: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/komDD255Gw0?si=TQiymDXQlBjNH_3K" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Melissa Pipe “Of What Remains” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>The album “Of What Remains” is Montreal baritone saxophonist and bassoonist Melissa Pipe’s first release as a leader. It explores ideas around temporality: the shifting of time, form and being. The other musicians on the album include Lex French (trumpet), Philippe Côté (tenor sax, bass clarinet), Geoff Lapp (piano), Solon McDade (bass) and Mili Hong (drums).</div><div><br /></div><div>This song is called “La part des anges”: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gGZDcD-OPkE?si=E2vILTtR_3olibpc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Michael Blake “Dance of the Mystic Bliss” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Michael Blake’s (saxophone, flute and compositions) new album “Dance of the Mystic Bliss” is dedicated to mother who passed away in 2018. The album features his project Chroma Nova, which includes a small string section (Skye Steele, Chris Hoffman, Michael Bates), electric guitar (Guilherme Monteiro) and percussionists Mauro Refosco and Rogerio Boccato. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the music video for “Merle the Pearl”:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y5bMU0VM9oY?si=f6HkQvNsx0X0Cl24" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mingjia “star, star” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>On the album “star, star,” vocalist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Mingjia Chen leads the Toronto-based chamber ensemble, the Tortoise Orchestra, through her compositions, which explore stories from her life, Chinese mythology and the world around her. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the Venus Fest video of Mingjia’s “star, star”:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CJazNR4ie_4?si=iOT5bMkgJGQt0Yf7" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Nicky Schrire “Nowhere Girl” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Toronto-based vocalist and songwriter Nicky Schrire’s first album in a decade demonstrates her masterful ability to tell stories through songs. Nicky is joined on this album by Chris Donnelly (piano), Dan Fortin (bass), Ernesto Cervini (drums), Tara Davidson (saxophones), Laila Biali (voice) and Julio Sigauque (guitar). </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a video of the title song, “Nowhere Girl”: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4omliqpu74o?si=0nukFLnE79X_JkCv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Peripheral Vision “We’ve Got Nothing” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Peripheral Vision is co-led by guitarist Don Scott and bassist Michael Herring, and also includes Trevor Hogg (saxophone) and Nick Fraser (drums). The album “We’ve Got Nothing” celebrates of the band’s fifteen years together, and marks the first time in their long creative history that Scott and Herring have co-written music together. The project was recorded over the course of four months between January to April 2023 at The Tranzac, one of Toronto’s most important creative music hubs. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the music video for “I’ve Got Nothing”:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QFORItp6nxc?si=tQ4MxKAB7wfTVO47" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Quinsin Nachoff “Stars and Constellations” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Saxophonist and composer Quinsin Nachoff is joined by his Ethereal trio (Dan Weiss -drums, Mark Helias - bass), as well as two New York-based string quartets (The Bergamot Quartet and The Rhythm Method), on his latest album, “Stars and Constellations,” blending jazz and classical music. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the song “Sagittarius” by Quinsin Nachoff: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Qt_cu7t62I?si=FKwQEwh2LIaqaLlm" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Rachel Therrien “Mi Hogar” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>The album “Mi Hogar” is the first recording for trumpet player Rachel Therrien’s Latin Jazz Project, which features many of the musicians that have been a part of her musical journey. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the music video for “Porcelanosa” written by Rachel Therrien:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s8jJ_ygv1Hw?si=dNFlp62MC5RuKuj6" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Rubim de Toledo “The Drip” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>My favourite concert at the November 2023 jazz festival in Calgary was from Edmonton bass player, educator and songwriter Rubim de Toledo, which featured music from his new album, “The Drip.” Rubim is also a member of the Up and Over Trio (Chris Andrew – piano, Jamie Cooper – drums), who released their debut album, “Up and Over” in December 2022. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the music video for “Rhythm Chante” off the album “The Drip”:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/242h1injNYE?si=RYAI9egBTeYBzjI3" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sanah Kadoura “Duality”
Drummer and composer </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Sanah Kadoura’s second album, “Duality” focuses thematically on the balance between light and dark. The album is an offering of healing, guidance and love. Her band includes Stacy Dillard on soprano saxophone, Rachel Therrien on trumpet and flugelhorn, Virginia MacDonald on clarinet, Joanna Majoko on vocals, Michael King on piano, Jonathan Michel on bass, Parham Haghighi on vocals, and Flavio Silva on guitar. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the EPK for the album “Duality”: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5FB5hxL7rtw?si=GUv_Rsg__Zr6hvCp" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Peggy Lee Band “A Giving Way” </b></div><div><br /></div><div>The album “A Giving Way” is the first release in eleven years and sixth studio album for Vancouver-based The Peggy Lee Band, which is led by cellist and composer, Peggy Lee. The compositions come from a place of gratitude and a desire to do better collectively toward justice and human dignity.
Peggy Lee is also a member of the trio Beatings Are in the Body (Erika Angell – voice, electronics, bells; Roisin Adams – piano, Wurlitzer, voice) who released their self-titled debut album in May 2023. You can also hear Peggy Lee on the September 2023 album “fLuXkit Vancouver (its suite but sacred)” by Darius Jones and the December 2023 album “Canons” by Lina Allemano. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is “Justice / Honour” from the Peggy Lee Band: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sR5Z9cWkjUc?si=KSKHksYf-JyvZSSh" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div><div>There were plenty of new releases from Canadians over the last twelve months. Here are more suggestions, listed in alphabetical order by artist. And of course, there are many more that are not listed below. Regardless, let’s keep listening to the music and find your next favourite artist, album or song.</div><div><br /></div><div>Aaron Leaney “Lockdown” (with Guy Thouin) </div><div>Aaron Shorr “Omand’s Creek” </div><div>Alex Fournier “Magnetic Dreaming” </div><div>Ally Fiola and Next Quest “Interblaze” </div><div>Andrew Jackson and Sam Wilson “New Doors” </div><div>Aretha Tillotson “Introducing Aretha Tillotson” </div><div>Artie Roth Quartet “Resonants” </div><div>Audrey Ochoa “The Head of a Mouse” </div><div>Beatings Are in the Body “Beatings Are in the Body” </div><div>Bellbird “Root in Tandem” </div><div>Ben Frost Quartet “Pixies” </div><div>Blanche Baillargeon “le nid” </div><div>Brad Turner “The Magnificent” and “North Star” </div><div>Carl Mayotte “Carnival” </div><div>Christine Jensen “Day Moon” </div><div>Colin Stetson “When We Were That What Wept for the Sea” </div><div>Crossroad Copeland “Cope Land” </div><div>Dan Pitt Trio “Stages” </div><div>Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra “Open Spaces (Folk Songs Reimagined)” </div><div>Darren Johnston “Wild Awake” </div><div>Derrick Gardner and the Jazz Prophets “Pan Africa” </div><div>Doxas Brothers “Kindred” </div><div>Eli Davidovici “Shapes” </div><div>Eliana Cuevas “Sere Libre” </div><div>Flying Pooka! “The Ecstasy of Becoming” </div><div>Francois Bourassa Quartet “Swirl” </div><div>Greenhouse Ensemble “Rez-de-chaussee” </div><div>Gordon Grdina “Live at the Armoury” (with Mat Maneri and Christian Lillinger) </div><div>Hugo Blouin “Sport national” </div><div>Jacob Wutzke “Show Yourself” </div><div>Jacques Kuba Seguin “Parfum no. 1” </div><div>Jane Bunnett & Maqueque “Playing With Fire” </div><div>Jean-Michel Pilc “Symphony” and “You Are the Song” (with Francois Moutin and Ari Hoenig) </div><div>Joel Haynes “The Return” </div><div>Julian Gutierrez’s Project “Goldstream” </div><div>KneeJerk “Blind Painter” </div><div>Laila Biali “Your Requests” </div><div>Leland Whitty “Anyhow” </div><div>Les Royal Pickles “Take 3” </div><div>Malleus Trio “On / Off” </div><div>Marianne Trudel & John Hollenbeck “Dede Java Espiritu” </div><div>Mary Ancheta Quartet “Level Up” </div><div>Matt Choboter “Postcards of Nostalgia” </div><div>Meredith Bates “Tesseract” </div><div>Nicole Rampersaud “Saudade” </div><div>Noah Franche-Nolan “Within the Stream” </div><div>No Cosmos “you ii everything else” </div><div>Paul Tynan “Bicoastal Collective: Chapter Six” (with Aaron Lington) </div><div>Playdate “Wonderland” </div><div>Philippe Cote and Francois Bourassa “Confluence” </div><div>Remi Bolduc “Les Esprits Oublies” </div><div>Remi Cormier “Glimpse” </div><div>Remi-Jean Leblanc “Heyday” </div><div>Roxane Reddy “Jaywalking” </div><div>Ruiqi Wang “Subduing the Silence” </div><div>Sharon Minemoto “Dark Night, Bright Stars” </div><div>The Titillators “That’s the Night” </div><div>Up and Over Trio “Up and Over” </div><div>Viviane Houle “Unsung Songs: Graphic Scores” </div><div>Will Bonness “Is This a Dream?” </div><div>Zack Lober “No Fill3r”</div><div><br /></div></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-16441552218464107792023-12-18T09:00:00.046-05:002023-12-18T17:12:35.566-05:00Gregory Hutchinson!<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7sUm-O_Ast-Wh5WFo8-kYq4pr1fy8w4-yMi19fzUJzxKI9JJvUrC_nvDPB786dJZLoy0YYdwq7PFwTsTATfnCNz60-uTs3dEaBqyaRQZ2oM6J4H_JZlquR1gRKC8G29lB2cuq4WdcZMwDxMwtU-OklLpneaAf_SzqDQv0fX6JnB0EwJrSJ-SoO70oVM/s2058/Hutch!.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7sUm-O_Ast-Wh5WFo8-kYq4pr1fy8w4-yMi19fzUJzxKI9JJvUrC_nvDPB786dJZLoy0YYdwq7PFwTsTATfnCNz60-uTs3dEaBqyaRQZ2oM6J4H_JZlquR1gRKC8G29lB2cuq4WdcZMwDxMwtU-OklLpneaAf_SzqDQv0fX6JnB0EwJrSJ-SoO70oVM/w400-h267/Hutch!.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hey everyone! The great Gregory Hutchinson is giving an on-line masterclass via Zoom on Saturday, December 23rd and you all need to check this out. I've followed his Instagram account for some time now, attended several of his Zoom masterclasses in the past and also checked out his excellent courses on <a href="https://www.openstudiojazz.com/" target="_blank">Open Studio</a>. Don't miss this rare opportunity to learn from one of the greats, no matter where you are in the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the details:</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Zoom Masterclass with Gregory Hutchinson</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">DECEMBER 23, 2023 at 12 noon (EST) - 5 pm (UTC) - 6 pm (UTC +1/Italy)<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Two tiers: full level participants and auditors (more info below)<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">2 hour masterclass<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Topics include:<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- How to be successful in the music business (as sideman and leader)<br />- Rudimental concepts<br />- Ride cymbal sound technique<br />- Brushes technique<br />- How to build a practice routine<br />- My own concepts on the drums<br />- Importance of knowing history<br />- How to develop your own voice and not a copy as soon as possible<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Open level - everyone is welcome<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">PRICING:<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">AUDITORS 45€</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- inactive participation as listeners<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">FULL LEVEL PARTICIPANTS 75€</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />- Interactive participation & questions</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- 10 minute INDIVIDUAL one-on-one drum time to have your playing heard at the end of the masterclass<br />- Copy of masterclass recording (audio & video)<br />- 100 € OFF the 4 LESSON PLAN, valid one time only for the first 10 students who redeem it, if you decide to further your learning<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">SIGN UP at: gregoryhutchinson43@gmail.com</span></div><div><br /></div><div>----------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, here's a couple of other great, recent pieces featuring Hutchinson including:</div><div><br /></div><div>• An interview with Leo Sidran for <i>The Third Story</i> on WBGO:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OZ5gyQRlS2g?si=HsrhadY_ahd2mLnJ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>• A fantastic interview with Greg from the 80/20 Drummer:</div><div><br /></div></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WlruFUujzWc?si=ay7izZgipPCAMfN-" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-35843362787917803102023-12-11T09:00:00.035-05:002023-12-11T09:00:00.142-05:00Tony Williams Drum Gear & Cymbals: A Drum History Podcast<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjO9QwMvoE0Rp5tj4F2QCEu-jheklwr1QCAGxPuUoIwSZJkggHyL4IRb2-J4Pli_budJHPsyDgDFYddKzXG6HYJoATF0TdkwmnGPKgsxWuYy8YAga_yY_aD7TFU2b6_7kMlUMRwTQzb_ubt7NynLGmLJZkj7TXmjRp13cVmXBvDixagDlHHTAaAuLTyQ/s1088/Tony%20Williams%20Gear.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1088" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjO9QwMvoE0Rp5tj4F2QCEu-jheklwr1QCAGxPuUoIwSZJkggHyL4IRb2-J4Pli_budJHPsyDgDFYddKzXG6HYJoATF0TdkwmnGPKgsxWuYy8YAga_yY_aD7TFU2b6_7kMlUMRwTQzb_ubt7NynLGmLJZkj7TXmjRp13cVmXBvDixagDlHHTAaAuLTyQ/w400-h230/Tony%20Williams%20Gear.png" width="400" /></a><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Check out this fantastic four-part series on Tony Williams' drums and cymbals featuring Paul Wells and Scott Garrison, hosted by Bart van der Zee, the host and curator of the ongoing and excellent <i>Drum History Podcast</i> series.</p><p>There is a lot of great information and insight into Tony Williams to be found here. Paul Wells is a great drummer and has a tremendous knowledge of the history of jazz drumming. Scott Garrison was Tony Williams' drum tech from 1994 until Williams' passing in 1997!</p><p>Bart has consistently been putting out great content through his podcast so make sure to check that out here: <a href="https://www.drumhistorypodcast.com/">www.drumhistorypodcast.com</a></p>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pftmcfz9y4M?si=3MwKXKFWyFnaFN08" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FwUZl0g_AvQ?si=GQfX3ZzjchhtDHLb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DVUrA2pC4yk?si=8yVCcaLW26i6-h_9" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-55927369452711120672023-12-04T09:00:00.033-05:002023-12-04T10:08:27.268-05:00Quincy Speaks!<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTF4sruVYAt8VEW96BQlK42l37iANBIcOVI8QeS0s9h9qQgNH9Acnv_3zckwx_6KUqnjYdhqa4sVFOuSQqAnWR_3aimEwb_D2OZkJXLRp2Lrq8R0vnvAY-RgzAB0mD3uCtaNAS7N3YJKkpA-CJIaXtLFarbsrtx64G49uxYLSKylMC8XSQ-OxuGUHok8/s2460/Quincy!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="2460" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTF4sruVYAt8VEW96BQlK42l37iANBIcOVI8QeS0s9h9qQgNH9Acnv_3zckwx_6KUqnjYdhqa4sVFOuSQqAnWR_3aimEwb_D2OZkJXLRp2Lrq8R0vnvAY-RgzAB0mD3uCtaNAS7N3YJKkpA-CJIaXtLFarbsrtx64G49uxYLSKylMC8XSQ-OxuGUHok8/w400-h223/Quincy!.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /></p><p>Some timely motivation from Quincy Davis:</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MBkyAwbnohA?si=1A5yBydVbkCVN7sJ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dPb3rERItSg?si=QkBA63moRk1EtNSX" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>I regularly post and share Quincy's videos and ongoing YouTube series <i>Q-Tips</i>, usually in my monthly <i>Monday Morning Paradiddle</i> jazz variety columns. In my opinion, his lessons and explanations are some of the best out there: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@drumqtips">https://www.youtube.com/@drumqtips</a></div><div><br /></div><div>So check these out, learn something, use the two videos above as some motivation/inspiration and get to work!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you Quincy.<br /><div><br /></div></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-5783162356400851912023-11-27T09:00:00.123-05:002023-11-27T13:28:39.455-05:00Mareike Wiening - Reveal<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0AHw04C_d6CJB3XCj2aDNaCNlsyXEOIN2HexIQXHn__oTqRb72pOamae0MPq61NXnwx2AcmJ59eKjQBU-B1HaVojMSBzc7SVwU2JqGbmdmrhuiDZyYMY6iVqb7Rjw2WntN7lWoIKGjEZnVcyyumnG7nJrVAIY6xTt6Sop_rLpnhyphenhyphenQbjsdVpMR-V_kFE/s980/MareikeWiening_REVEAL_CoverArt_2308-980x980.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="980" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0AHw04C_d6CJB3XCj2aDNaCNlsyXEOIN2HexIQXHn__oTqRb72pOamae0MPq61NXnwx2AcmJ59eKjQBU-B1HaVojMSBzc7SVwU2JqGbmdmrhuiDZyYMY6iVqb7Rjw2WntN7lWoIKGjEZnVcyyumnG7nJrVAIY6xTt6Sop_rLpnhyphenhyphenQbjsdVpMR-V_kFE/w400-h400/MareikeWiening_REVEAL_CoverArt_2308-980x980.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <div>Mareika Wiening is one of my favourite jazz drummers and composers these days. Her original music is compelling and is played by a great band, the core of which she's managed to keep together over the course of several albums now. And she is also a dynamic drummer whose original style is rooted in the tradition while also progressive and original that matches her compositional concept perfectly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mareike is a busy person and she was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions about her new music below.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsgoZzgdUhSppYKlO0qQj4KuI4EQLSxOMvdNPSvXIfDdQ4gk_5KrE3BCRa5xpCb-mSPAab1cHeWGbcZDR7YMe0Bf-KzpRRZm9GP8AXWMBBMHrSpPBlHQiKbqHgFShN2IbYjanLs6T8RMLMGd63oJMQ07hFXWug4AgwKJVmp53TOuQGmwqYX6qLPcH8I8/s6240/Mareike%20Wiening%20Option%206%20(%C2%A9Wolf%20Peter%20Steinhei%C3%9Fer).jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsgoZzgdUhSppYKlO0qQj4KuI4EQLSxOMvdNPSvXIfDdQ4gk_5KrE3BCRa5xpCb-mSPAab1cHeWGbcZDR7YMe0Bf-KzpRRZm9GP8AXWMBBMHrSpPBlHQiKbqHgFShN2IbYjanLs6T8RMLMGd63oJMQ07hFXWug4AgwKJVmp53TOuQGmwqYX6qLPcH8I8/w400-h266/Mareike%20Wiening%20Option%206%20(%C2%A9Wolf%20Peter%20Steinhei%C3%9Fer).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmeUb-KaHm7beys6Mh7EhB2sFr8qzrCiwB_ylYhwLIeUiAt8-mu4dCY3Pkx36vzMNau7fNEizTgWN6PoHq4orCF1USa1XOjrZdlGg2BXuzYqPpRVfa4TarVy6Ad-9xLMH0NUzyoCUkcjG9ck8qPenW9E4o3C6gIczQKknARE81WXxTGDFVkKkguzNxA8/s6240/Mareike%20Wiening%20Option%206%20(%C2%A9Wolf%20Peter%20Steinhei%C3%9Fer).jpeg"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Photo ©Wolf Peter Steinheißer<br /><br /><div>Mareike Wiening, percussionist and composer, spent six years in Brooklyn, New York, where she cultivated her musical career. Since 2019, she has been commuting between the United States and Cologne, Germany, while actively participating in the international jazz scene.<br /><br />Her career as an independent jazz musician encompasses a diverse array of projects and ensembles in New York and Europe. Since 2022, she has been serving as a lecturer in jazz percussion at the Zurich University of the Arts.<br /><br />The Mareike Wiening Quintet, featuring longstanding musical partners Rich Perry, Glenn Zaleski, Alex Goodman, and Johannes Felscher, was nominated for the 2022 German Jazz Award. In November 2023, their third album, Reveal, is set to release on the renowned New York label of Dave Douglas, Greenleaf Music.<br /><br />Concert tours have taken her across Germany, Denmark, France, Switzerland, Slovenia, Norway, Lithuania, Brazil, and the United States. Mareike Wiening has graced prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Blue Note NYC, Jazzgallery NY, Jazzclub Unterfahrt, A-trane Berlin, the New York Winter Jazz Festival, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, and the Elbjazz Hamburg. She has also contributed to musical and theatrical productions in Europe and Off-Broadway shows in New York City. In 2023, she made an appearance in the documentary “Jazz Fever,” which was screened in theatres throughout Germany.<br /><br />Mareike Wiening has collaborated with renowned musicians such as John Zorn, Stefon Harris, Dan Tepfer, Dayna Stephens, Fabian Almazan, Johannes Enders, Adrian Mears, Ben Wendel, and many others. Her exceptional performances have earned her accolades, and she serves as a MEINL endorser for cymbals and sticks.<br /><div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Homepage and Shop:</b><br /><a href="http://mareikewiening.com/shop/">http://mareikewiening.com/shop/</a><br /><br /><b>Linktree:</b><br /><a href="https://tr.ee/Y63vWEc28G">https://tr.ee/Y63vWEc28G</a><br /><br /><b>Greenleaf website news:</b><br /><a href="https://greenleafmusic.com/mareike-wienings-reveal-revealed/">https://greenleafmusic.com/mareike-wienings-reveal-revealed/<br /></a><br /><b>Greenleaf Bandcamp:</b><br /><a href="https://mareikewiening.bandcamp.com/album/reveal">https://mareikewiening.bandcamp.com/album/reveal</a><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRnpqJBRrCRn5f-QcGdHkfpwoKXQqiAYMAb051lIZyvTPK-bBB7lcsN-P4bz2bVANxsWNRXspFa0XlNv6PBar0OTzGJZY_7WueKAxpjmaiZMt9v8QZn5UkdBemp-CwuLnwHJUA6mat1LHygnViqPQmvbHMX5jeYYWxLSU_nv_N9kqWY0phGhvjzjcRHY/s7952/Mareike%20Wiening%20Studio%20Option%204%20(%C2%A9Luke%20Marantz).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5304" data-original-width="7952" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRnpqJBRrCRn5f-QcGdHkfpwoKXQqiAYMAb051lIZyvTPK-bBB7lcsN-P4bz2bVANxsWNRXspFa0XlNv6PBar0OTzGJZY_7WueKAxpjmaiZMt9v8QZn5UkdBemp-CwuLnwHJUA6mat1LHygnViqPQmvbHMX5jeYYWxLSU_nv_N9kqWY0phGhvjzjcRHY/w400-h266/Mareike%20Wiening%20Studio%20Option%204%20(%C2%A9Luke%20Marantz).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div>Photo ©Luke Marantz</div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1918; font-family: "Atlas Grotesk Web", "Atlas Grotesk", AtlasGrotesk, -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 16px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Mareika Wiening Reveal - Four on the Floor: November 2023</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>1) Tell us about your latest recording!</b><br /><br />My new album, "Reveal," is an embodiment of my recent life experiences and observations, both global and personal. The process of creating this album began as I looked around at the world, witnessing the significant changes and challenges we've all faced: the global pandemic, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the political strife not just in the U.S. but across Europe. These tumultuous events, alongside my return to Germany from New York after six years and personal trials, including the loss of a close family member and societal pressures, have deeply influenced my creative process. "Reveal" emerged from a desire not to dwell in the darkness of these challenges, but to find light and hope within them. </div><div><br /></div><div>This album is a journey of introspection, a search for the core essence that first connected me to music.In crafting "Reveal," I realized that in times of uncertainty and change, music could be a source of comfort and inspiration. It's a reminder that, amidst the turmoil, there remains a constant – the enduring power of music to uplift, heal, and connect us. This album is a reflection of my journey as a person and a musician, navigating a world of uncertainty with the solace and joy that music brings.<br /><br /><div><b>2) How did you choose your repertoire and sidemen?<br /></b><br />I composed the songs during the last year and recorded with my longtime working quintet. But I also had the urge of adding another voice for certain tunes. I always wanted to pair Rich with a second horn player and was looking for strong artistic voice that would fit the overall band sound. That’s why I asked esteemed trumpeter and Greenleaf founder Dave Douglas. He was the perfect fit!<div><br /><b>3) What inspired you to pursue the vibe and instrumentation that you did?</b><br /><br /></div><div>The instrumentation is set through my longtime working band. Musically, I wanted to explore a broader palette of textures and emotions, blending the traditional elements of jazz with contemporary influences.<br /><br /><b>4) Was there a particular message you were trying to convey to the listener?</b><br /><br /></div><div>I aimed to convey a message of resilience, introspection, and hope. Through the compositions, I wanted to take listeners on a journey that mirrored my own experiences during a period marked by significant global and personal challenges. The album is an invitation to delve into a spectrum of emotions, from contemplation and sorrow to optimism and strength.<br />It's about finding beauty and strength in vulnerability, and the transformative power of music to heal and uplift.<br /><br /><b>5) Who are your influences with regards to your style of writing and playing?</b><br /><br /></div><div>Guillermo Klein for sure! Playing drums: definitely Elvin Jones and Bill Stewart these days.<br /><br /><b>6) What are you practicing/studying/listening to/researching these days?</b><br /><br /></div><div>Researching how to compose and arrange for symphonic orchestra and that’s why also listening to a lot of different pieces from Stravinsky to Bach and modern pieces. I’m always transcribing solos or small ideas and try to develop those on the drums. <br /><br /></div><div>I also get inspired by my students at the Conservatory in Zurich. They all have very different backgrounds and difficulties and often I try to challenge myself in getting involved in new territories. <br /><br /><b>7) What other current and future projects do you have on the go at the moment?</b><br /><br /></div><div>I got a commission to write a piece for orchestra and also arrange it. That’s going to be a major project for the next several month as I have no experience in writing for orchestra. I’m very much looking forward to this challenge though. Otherwise I’m very active with the trio and quartet of Korean pianist Gee Hye Lee. Also preparing for a couple new projects I’m involved in that will start in 2024. <br /><br /><b>8) How does the drums and your overall approach to rhythm factor into your compositions and concept?</b><br /><br /></div><div>First of all I compose mainly on the piano. Once the tune is mostly finished I always sit down at the drums and try out the composition, see how it feels, try out different grooves, change little things to improve the overall flow of the tune. Rhythms are very important. If I can make the tune groove by playing it together with the midi file, it’s usually done. <br /><br /><b>9) What drummers or other musicians do you consider as influences?<br /></b><br /></div><div>Elvin Jones, Brad Mehldau, Philly Joe Jones and Bill Stewart<br /><br /><b>10) What advice do you have for younger, aspiring jazz musicians and jazz drummers?<br /></b><br /></div><div>For aspiring jazz musicians and drummers, focus on mastering the fundamentals of jazz and your instrument. Immerse yourself in diverse jazz styles and practice as much as possible to improve your technique and improvisational skills. Play with others as much as possible to develop your sense of timing and ensemble playing, and always stay open to learning and experimenting.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F8BihCDzRUo?si=uImytTL6nwEPVXaA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-68509852582274151082023-11-20T09:00:00.024-05:002023-11-20T09:00:00.144-05:00Jeff "Tain" Watts & George Garzone!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim12uTlbcrdCObLFEtHjzinHX9QeWwLHKyMPNieC12i8rY03ulPb-XKiJdVqhWVdpnjdWnPikySVmlQ83fq-ZBlCSZLeuP5Gn_E6ckBeFMklZZ5m8cVwayBNWoLxeGn4AgXCjiUZvERFFOpSugcLTvbFtekdy2qE-8EmHPRB_s41mhxTrR2vyJ-CmeuDA/s748/Tain%20and%20Garzone.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="748" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim12uTlbcrdCObLFEtHjzinHX9QeWwLHKyMPNieC12i8rY03ulPb-XKiJdVqhWVdpnjdWnPikySVmlQ83fq-ZBlCSZLeuP5Gn_E6ckBeFMklZZ5m8cVwayBNWoLxeGn4AgXCjiUZvERFFOpSugcLTvbFtekdy2qE-8EmHPRB_s41mhxTrR2vyJ-CmeuDA/w400-h281/Tain%20and%20Garzone.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>From a recent hit at Bar Bayeux in New York City, here's the full saxophone/drums duet of George Garzone and Jeff "Tain" Watts!</div><br /><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UGXb1sn-wuM?si=4R_ycGo3xjBrqw-u" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-48976489596346144232023-11-13T09:00:00.248-05:002023-11-13T09:00:00.169-05:00The Monday Morning Paradiddle - November 2023<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwN_1bk79U1rQpLp7mH0T3p8SmJv3pFTIbEoh-bR1kLePpSs6AY6UoOT1UiOfKb9X4OJ4-CbAH45b5P7Io6-YP_nkDGPYNIRGHdfQFoh-Y1hjS8MJNqszNa8XQKyflhr-Q3dh29DAf5iHkdn3KSK1TMTLDN8Q1_BcZdpQUWhNP28QNXnLUt8kmujAqddo/s600/Paradiddle.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwN_1bk79U1rQpLp7mH0T3p8SmJv3pFTIbEoh-bR1kLePpSs6AY6UoOT1UiOfKb9X4OJ4-CbAH45b5P7Io6-YP_nkDGPYNIRGHdfQFoh-Y1hjS8MJNqszNa8XQKyflhr-Q3dh29DAf5iHkdn3KSK1TMTLDN8Q1_BcZdpQUWhNP28QNXnLUt8kmujAqddo/w400-h230/Paradiddle.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /></p><p>And...we're back.</p><p>Thanks for checking in and I'm pleased to offer you the November 2023 edition of <i>The Monday Morning Paradiddle</i>, my occasional and semi-regular jazz drumming variety column (however, I just realized that I haven't published one of these since late July...anyways, here it is. Busy times I suppose!)</p><p>I was fortunate to spend some time in New York City earlier this Fall following a busy summer on the road, studying with John Riley, checking out gigs and all my favourite drummers on a nightly basis and, of course, drinking the best coffee I could find in mid-town Manhattan. </p><p>Thank you to all of those whose generosity (musically and otherwise) made my time in New York a truly special and inspiring experience. Onwards and Upwards.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtb5NBbA0mZ2zQBCRgSH2W7avFVX_nGfUe_sXr-giCozME1oDe2quMmE7x_EHybVAw4m8A4lzqWOB-LdQrwUvOSZhBHvfnAk-8xvN_VH2vW3L41Q6qqJBmFbzNMeLY9bMpxAkznIk6ssBDaRHwuJTiyAZCzWd-Jxb_PF_gqqGjS4ulCoaMsQa3XruWPcY/s502/Subscribe!.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="502" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtb5NBbA0mZ2zQBCRgSH2W7avFVX_nGfUe_sXr-giCozME1oDe2quMmE7x_EHybVAw4m8A4lzqWOB-LdQrwUvOSZhBHvfnAk-8xvN_VH2vW3L41Q6qqJBmFbzNMeLY9bMpxAkznIk6ssBDaRHwuJTiyAZCzWd-Jxb_PF_gqqGjS4ulCoaMsQa3XruWPcY/w200-h148/Subscribe!.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><br />Hey, subscribe to <i>Four on the Floor</i> today!<br /><br />Please consider entering your e.mail address on the right side of the page to subscribe to my mailing list. Don't miss out, subscribe today and receive <i>Four on the Floor</i> directly to your inbox!<br /><br />Just click on the link that resembles the icon above, located on the right hand side of the page to subscribe to my mailing list via Mail Chimp.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3StGoAllN36frXncNuPDcLLLF85M-moZFnvFpfGh54Jr0tHTVl4DKLEIChgB6nZct0zFYWVpePapZgEUDKhn837GhEWZIV2TFJtgqgyK1kv8Oyk8ei54VnfIAjUzfE4YA5aTkHmQq_6Y39S04A01NippCznSpkkaqNE_BOkdzu_Z4hYhfrjve8k0zRA/s739/Sonny%20Rollins%20Coffee.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3StGoAllN36frXncNuPDcLLLF85M-moZFnvFpfGh54Jr0tHTVl4DKLEIChgB6nZct0zFYWVpePapZgEUDKhn837GhEWZIV2TFJtgqgyK1kv8Oyk8ei54VnfIAjUzfE4YA5aTkHmQq_6Y39S04A01NippCznSpkkaqNE_BOkdzu_Z4hYhfrjve8k0zRA/s320/Sonny%20Rollins%20Coffee.jpeg" width="258" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Anyways, here's a collection of interesting things making the rounds around the Four on the Floor office these days...</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Monday Morning Paradiddle - November 2023</b></span></p><p>1. Vinnie Sperrazza continues to offer great insight and commentary in his ongoing series <i>Chronicles</i> including excellent pieces on:</p><p><a href="https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/ed-blackwell-birthday-post" target="_blank">Ed Blackwell</a></p><p><a href="https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/for-philly-joe-jones" target="_blank">Philly Joe Jones</a></p><p><a href="https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/lets-begin-tony-bennett-and-jazz" target="_blank">Tony Bennett and Jazz Drummers</a></p><p><a href="https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/chasin-the-bird-clifford-jarvis" target="_blank">Clifford Jarvis</a></p><p><a href="https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/summer-listening-terri-lyne-carrington" target="_blank">Terri Lyne Carrington</a></p><p><a href="https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/ed-blackwell-billy-higgins-and-john" target="_blank">Ed Blackwell, Elvin Jones and John Coltrane</a></p><p><a href="https://vinniesperrazza.substack.com/p/from-the-archives-five-awkward-conversations" target="_blank">Five Awkward Conversations with Paul Motian</a></p><p>2. Billy Martin interviewed by the <a href="https://www.freejazzblog.org/2023/10/sunday-interview-billy-martin.html?fbclid=IwAR3HlMsVpWnlzKOmeoHkPE4sh_eHrrl8FY6WPpiUa6VrLTEWmILHo5szynA" target="_blank">Free Jazz Collective</a></p><p>3. Montreal's Michel Lambert <i>Le Coloriste</i> entrevue par <a href="https://www.citizenjazz.com/Michel-Lambert-le-coloriste.html" target="_blank">Citizen Jazz</a></p><p>4. <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/437-allison-miller-dc-roots-connecting-her-drumming/id957529466?i=1000628657765">Allison Miller</a> and <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/431-tina-raymond-her-new-record-running-a-college/id957529466?i=1000624001269" target="_blank">Tina Raymond</a> interviewed on <i>The Working Drummer Podcast </i></p><p>5. Four features and interviews with Max Roach from NPR's <a href="https://freshairarchive.org/guests/max-roach?page=2" target="_blank">Fresh Air with Terry Gross</a></p><p>6. <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/this-musician-views-max-roach-as-the-north-star-of-drumming/30003/" target="_blank">Kendrick Scott</a> offers his thoughts on Max Roach via PBS, on the heels of the release of the recent documentary <i>Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes</i> on Amercian Masters.</p><p>If you haven't seen this excellent work yet, check it out. Now!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5yJ0T1qkT6a2kULtiCRWOIK96amkd5iKW2MB4EDxQFffxQ10K4aYLNEkZ5PhFWBlEpuhFXwrmolk14rSXo6cnhiUJHzNffPw1xMu33jJqKhcUjCLZccjafIObJMBIJKTeiMN7Oel-DGKigPl5TWGJ2GONgZ0vxuDxFlfJVs_skrxzf7T7Ita-auElr4/s1600/Max%20Roach%20PBS.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5yJ0T1qkT6a2kULtiCRWOIK96amkd5iKW2MB4EDxQFffxQ10K4aYLNEkZ5PhFWBlEpuhFXwrmolk14rSXo6cnhiUJHzNffPw1xMu33jJqKhcUjCLZccjafIObJMBIJKTeiMN7Oel-DGKigPl5TWGJ2GONgZ0vxuDxFlfJVs_skrxzf7T7Ita-auElr4/w300-h400/Max%20Roach%20PBS.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>7. Check out Sherrie Maricle's excellent collection of drum tips on her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkV4v93LxLNzCVGq4AKTIsZ5mUQtGO8mz" target="_blank">YouTube</a> page. Sherrie is the real deal and there are lots of great lessons and things to practice here!</p><p>8. <a href="https://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/2023/7/31/joe-la-barbera-remembering-tony-williams" target="_blank">Joe LaBarbera</a> and <a href="https://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/2023/2/27/peter-magadini-remembering-tony-williams?fbclid=IwAR0nbWG65BUMFIxZbHzI9wxH81nvn0Xo29K0jx4T7o9QTMv9iKljvroCvX4" target="_blank">Peter Magadini</a> both reflect on the legacy of Tony Williams from <i>Not So Modern Drummer</i>.</p><p>Sadly, Peter passed away last August. I didn't know him very well but our paths did cross on several occasions when we both lived in Montreal during the mid 1990s and I also use his books routinely in my own teaching practice.</p><p>Check out Aldo Mazza's interview with Peter from his ongoing series <i>Shaping Your Journey</i>:</p><p><i><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tIsY4bHNvr0?si=nH4AU-HIlg5Uo8jK" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></i></p><p>9. Montreal bassist Fraser Hollins interviews my teacher and good friend Dave Laing in his ongoing drum and bass interview series <i>The Hook Up</i>: </p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PLsrrnZsS2I?si=6btJ0fv81CR3UKfc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>I am really hoping that Fraser interviews Montreal's Andre White next...</p><p>10. Allison Miller playing great drums as always!</p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xh2z1O-liEQ?si=3Z2Dv4D35DKuitV7" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>11. A great interview and lesson with my good friend Geoff Clapp:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/omHJr8njuyw?si=fMvmiJVOYFIitXWB" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>12. Willie Jones III and Rudy Royston both interviewed by the <i>Drum Candy Podcast</i>:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NBhhVGGTFB8?si=iNEtvAytVLNhUTPF" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CS7KCYCmTWM?si=RVLc-9D1CI9-4XjJ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>13. <i>10 Reasons to Love Elvin Jones</i> from Thomas Wendt and the Drum Candy Podcast: </p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UMVjgRBD0zo?si=nIa8F6Efl3nVdduz" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mfYBFJAOXEo?si=Na08bAZIb4ETusCS" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>...and <i>10 Reasons to Love Joe Chambers:</i></p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V5hFnE4LVNY?si=G96SZI1g7TlNK_WE" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>14. Ulysses Owens Jr. and Drumeo offer <i>How to Play Jazz on The Drums</i>:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KT4nunvmmV0?si=BVAWnKoYsdvLRc32" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</p><p>15. Joe Farnsworth with Emmet Cohen:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EK4pkFi3NVg?si=oiZg21FYac5O5WNl" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>16. The 80/20 Drummer interviews John Riley, Dan Weiss and Stanton Moore: </p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4QNTYNhzqIE?si=5z3a0Di-KoxEp-fj" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QeHZv6tjJfQ?si=ylksJzsZJI-oTqs5" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/um04t6VMZM8?si=Lt_42Yu2d4p3-A6T" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>17. Quincy Davis continues to share great concepts and things to practice in his ongoing <i>Q-Tips</i> series on YouTube. There's a wealth of information here folks, so check it out! </p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NPXKqIlOeg8?si=CAqJFedAtjvcSgxZ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tmHvdcxcvxc?si=5D4LjlL6h2tJUKCj" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y4JSFkDSE6g?si=_uKQa-SKE1hZ-fHa" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lixAoQBOdvA?si=P1SgiAeYvUuQpO3t" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bQkm4EHlpbU?si=3mn4sKtvwFGuxybf" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/03UIwVd5v-Y?si=WVsVSJZ2IkNZ9yqc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/apm2YyvLfoM?si=yzVcKkOViKhWelJW" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/05njHRHeG1k?si=HQu_N1wvGUGlARpy" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f7Q9yrQp0u8?si=nBdh7XSnaxnQ0Dx5" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Ox4nXafXOM?si=1NxIEHNUsBdI6tVW" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>18. A few words of wisdom from the always inspiring Matt Wilson:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xzU84vsUu90?si=s8TcVYQkV4ut0a71" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p><br /></p><p>19. What am I listening to these days?</p><p>Allison Miller "Rivers in Our Veins" - Allison Miller (drums)</p><p>Don Cherry "Art Deco" - Billy Higgins (drums)</p><p>Max Roach & The J.C. White Singers "Lift Every Voice and Sing" - Max Roach (drums)</p><p>Kelly Jefferson "Rituals" - Morgan Childs (drums)</p><p>Oscar Peterson Trio "Night Train" - Ed Thigpen (drums)</p><p>Philly Joe Jones "Drums Around the World" - Philly Joe Jones (drums)</p><p>Joel Haynes "The Return!" - Joel Haynes (drums)</p><p>George Sluppick "Play What You Love" - George Sluppick (drums)</p><p><br /></p><p>20. And today's <i>Last Word</i> goes to the great swing drummer and teacher Cozy Cole:</p><span style="font-size: medium;">“The more you study, the more you find out what you don’t know, but the more you study, the closer you come.” <br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- Cozy Cole</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzG_se_FMi5V0PEfMdVZle_mUz6MQpDBHAYdou4EoHHtRxZq0Yy6_HVfsdBXdAupAStJqWnFKfPTlyD1hj-b8tWTyKMlKI1cjv25acYHUSCd4sXV-lurMOm_vqqScDZmYA834s4a4k__pIbUA8cmubB7Uv0LahSGNYnMdyRNgiiD_1FbpuagkOoRi8X0/s568/Drum%20Beat%20for%20Dancing%20Feet.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="568" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzG_se_FMi5V0PEfMdVZle_mUz6MQpDBHAYdou4EoHHtRxZq0Yy6_HVfsdBXdAupAStJqWnFKfPTlyD1hj-b8tWTyKMlKI1cjv25acYHUSCd4sXV-lurMOm_vqqScDZmYA834s4a4k__pIbUA8cmubB7Uv0LahSGNYnMdyRNgiiD_1FbpuagkOoRi8X0/w400-h398/Drum%20Beat%20for%20Dancing%20Feet.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-23824016800778950712023-11-08T21:47:00.002-05:002023-11-08T21:49:30.017-05:00Triplet Accents!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A4ndI1RsAX56ZdXAV465DcF-YJWbjyaloNuy2xhGa6rz6ofoxLuNCd_m25GJXcyeqeXN4caIRvxYUmmJ07GgreTrN90yQziTuzAyFi4S6zTA4rLILl1j8IReem4tZZpHDi2RO71-7mLL5Z5AfempbubZ4X3SXlDuGQBHlWsBL1Nh_j99frN5iipKpYU/s410/triplet%20accents.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="84" data-original-width="410" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A4ndI1RsAX56ZdXAV465DcF-YJWbjyaloNuy2xhGa6rz6ofoxLuNCd_m25GJXcyeqeXN4caIRvxYUmmJ07GgreTrN90yQziTuzAyFi4S6zTA4rLILl1j8IReem4tZZpHDi2RO71-7mLL5Z5AfempbubZ4X3SXlDuGQBHlWsBL1Nh_j99frN5iipKpYU/w400-h83/triplet%20accents.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I'm a little late to the blogging party this week (sorry, things have been busy!) but here's a short, scrappy video of a little triplet accent exercise I've been practicing lately and working on with my students. </p><p>This one was inspired by Philly Joe Jones and the inspiring social media offerings of Sherrie Maricle and Joe Farnsworth's drum pad inventions, based on the teachings of Alan Dawson and Clifford Jarvis.</p><p><br /></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B0TsE_7IklY?si=ZCEdsoH27XwRgyQN" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>I play through these variations with the hi-hat on beats 2&4, feathering the bass drum on all four beats.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I'll film another video at some point but you can also fill in the un-accented triplets with double-stroke and press rolls. You can also play these variations with all the right hand accents on the floor tom and all the left hand accents on the tom tom.</div><div><br /></div><div>And don't forget...make it swing!</div><div><br /></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-21335904579919221282023-10-30T09:00:00.056-04:002023-10-30T09:00:00.138-04:00Tina Raymond - Divinations<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq12HzSrvz3_gEqEgBTm6HP9rK10IYgF-qKKgCyLoJJWLwvmdBgSjKgkBdGHBe_v-c_jjgsbabTHpStp0oF99jhG_EjfRtDv8DVMQU6x4yVgh66fSku2JaQ0kEO9QVI4eSFeRHZuzZQ9cnvYL0bAMMXijMCnc0zxSBxx1TXemvRiWrD4Yi5lFb45CZVuA/s700/divinations.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq12HzSrvz3_gEqEgBTm6HP9rK10IYgF-qKKgCyLoJJWLwvmdBgSjKgkBdGHBe_v-c_jjgsbabTHpStp0oF99jhG_EjfRtDv8DVMQU6x4yVgh66fSku2JaQ0kEO9QVI4eSFeRHZuzZQ9cnvYL0bAMMXijMCnc0zxSBxx1TXemvRiWrD4Yi5lFb45CZVuA/w400-h400/divinations.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tina Raymond is an accomplished drummer and composer, currently based in Los Angeles. She recently released her new album <i>Divinations</i> and she was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about her new music.</p><p>Visit <a href="https://www.tinaraymond.com/home">www.tinaraymond.com</a> to learn more about Tina and her music.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tina Raymond Divinations - </b><b>Four on the Floor: October 2023</b></span></p><p><br /><b>1) Tell us about your latest recording!</b></p><p>Divinations is a collection of six original songs inspired by tarot cards from various decks. It features Andrew Renfroe on Guitar and Karl McComas Reichl on bass. <br /><br /><b>2) How did you choose your repertoire and sidemen?</b><br /><br />I wrote these pieces in a very short period of time on similar subject matter, so they all fit together almost like a suite. I've played with both Karl and Andrew for a few years, and both have similar approaches to music in that they're fearless in their approach, but meticulous in their concept of sound. It also helps that we all live within ten minutes of each other - which is rare in LA. Two summers ago we were able to get together to play just for fun a few times, and I really loved the synergy among the three of us. <br /><br /><b>3) What inspired you to pursue the vibe and instrumentation that you did?</b><br /><br />The instrumentation made sense with these two musicians, and I felt that trio format gave all of us enough room to stretch. The vibe came together organically. As I was mixing the record, I realized that the song, "The Emperor" really needed to be mixed more like a rock tune than a jazz tune, and that then set the tone for how the whole album was set sonically. <br /><br /><b>4) Was there a particular message you were trying to convey to the listener?</b><br /><br />This album was a whimsical journey for me into my own voice as a musician and writer. The messages are less for the listeners and more for me - but if the listeners also walk away experiencing the emotional embodiment the music was trying to connect to - even better. Each song sits in an energetic space that the tarot card it was inspired by describes. For example, The Emperor card describes unwavering power that is fair and firm, and even in nature unless provoked. My creative process was then, "what does unwavering power... maybe provoked a little.." sound like? It would be great if listeners connected on that. <br /><br /><b>5) Who are your influences with regards to your style of writing?</b><br /><br />Wayne Shorter, Monk, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, Bobby Bradford - these artists wrote some memorable melodies. To me, the mark of a good song is one that gets stuck in your head.<br /><br /><b>6) What are you practicing/studying/listening to/researching these days?</b><br /><br />I'm working with a student on some Roy Haynes transcriptions right now, so going back to <i>We Three</i> and <i>Now He Sings, Now He Sobs</i>. I've got another student working on Philly Joe and fundamental language, so we're listening to <i>Everybody Digs Bill Evans</i> and marvelling at the lack of toms - you don't even miss them!<br /><br />I'm also loving some new music that's coming out of LA right now. Billy Mohler's new album <i>Ultraviolet</i> with Nate Wood on drums is fantastic, as is Anthony Fung's new album <i>Fo(u)rth</i>.<br /><br /><b>7) What other current and future projects do you have on the go at the moment?</b><br /><br />I'm on Rachel Eckroth's most recent release on Sam First Records called <i>Humanoid</i>. We've got her album release shows in early November, as well as some tour dates for that in the new year. A band I co-lead, Esthesis Quartet, has some shows coming up, as well as an album featuring our Chamber Music of America Grant Mentor, Bill Frisell, that is still in the production phases. <br /><br />I also teach full-time at California State University Northridge, and am working on a whole lot of projects involving my students. We've got end of semester concerts in November, as well as all the plans for next semester productions. We're VERY excited to have Helen Sung coming in to play with the big bands in early March - that should be very exciting. <br /><br /><b>8) How does the drums and your overall approach to rhythm factor into your compositions and concept?</b><br /><br />As a drummer, my partner in crime is the bassist, so when I'm writing my ear frequently goes straight to a bass line. I think I also write using space in my forms and melody for the drums to interject. <br /><br /><b>9) What drummers do you consider as influences?<br /></b><br />Art Blakey, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Mel Lewis are probably some of the biggest influences. I love Art Blakey's energetic space - you know it's Art Blakey immediately on recordings. Max Roach and Philly Joe Jones are where jazz solo language really comes together for me - I'm constantly working on transcriptions of their solos with students and discussing the thematic development and vocabulary. Mel Lewis' ride cymbal pattern and ability to keep a band in line with the most simple gestures is also something I admire.</p><p><b>10) What advice do you have for younger, aspiring jazz musicians and jazz drummers?</b><br /><br />Learn the rules before you break them, but getting to the point of breaking them - or manipulating the guidelines to fit your aesthetic - is paramount in finding creative freedom and your voice on the instrument. Also - be mindful of your posture and technique. This whole endeavour has potential for repetitive stress injuries, and being conscious of moving and sitting in a healthy way will help your longevity. </p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s0qxOtAU_ow?si=4H-DyTgBlqTJai7c" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYEttRDxE_zUZA0ZzlnGmEmOo3DplMUcX4_rJ3IpJx_lWMbooeWfh8H0zUpvED9gv3XI4vOAJ7j5Ody7Gr_nFw7i2n-ZZ5nresFTfKiYqqv5BlzZICI0Lxg7I1uxiDb1TCSpXw1liAKzrQKifL8KYcfOgTWDrKsWmPqieQXosNNaD62OcT9dhUI1fJAE/s1964/Tina%20Raymond.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1964" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYEttRDxE_zUZA0ZzlnGmEmOo3DplMUcX4_rJ3IpJx_lWMbooeWfh8H0zUpvED9gv3XI4vOAJ7j5Ody7Gr_nFw7i2n-ZZ5nresFTfKiYqqv5BlzZICI0Lxg7I1uxiDb1TCSpXw1liAKzrQKifL8KYcfOgTWDrKsWmPqieQXosNNaD62OcT9dhUI1fJAE/w400-h258/Tina%20Raymond.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-27713103519914656042023-10-23T09:00:00.043-04:002023-10-23T16:33:18.494-04:00Alan Jones!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDnjVV-iXE8OurvtJLUagIoGUBwG-Zep-PywzWVa4ZzqS8YsLT5x-lklRU6VDIoJJ6rwe8yVPCVkJOJ09pjl6D5_IrwyQagbyUI8pdWTj6P8BVzQou5wfx211EccKzpMbp9JIum0XE1jJaczSkpCbbOUL_C_D-mqHQPSugI5eJQx0eFQkMekBCorQ8oQ/s1080/ALAN%20JONES.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="967" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDnjVV-iXE8OurvtJLUagIoGUBwG-Zep-PywzWVa4ZzqS8YsLT5x-lklRU6VDIoJJ6rwe8yVPCVkJOJ09pjl6D5_IrwyQagbyUI8pdWTj6P8BVzQou5wfx211EccKzpMbp9JIum0XE1jJaczSkpCbbOUL_C_D-mqHQPSugI5eJQx0eFQkMekBCorQ8oQ/w359-h400/ALAN%20JONES.jpg" width="359" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><p>Some great footage of Portland's Alan Jones, one of my favourite drummers these days and someone <u>everyone</u> should know about, soloing over <i>On Green Dolphin Street</i> from a performance with the Bridge Quartet featuring tenor saxophonist Phil Dwyer, pianist Miles Black and bassist Tom Wakeling, recorded last October 2022 at Frankie's in Vancouver, British Columbia.</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TP7at_MrIpc?si=CAmLjzB2bFum-lIf" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>And here's another fiery one of Jones in action from an earlier hit at the now long gone Portland jazz club Jimmy Mak's: </p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KQUPTZCDlfk?si=W2PyLMR6546GLb2w" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-82284764392628147042023-10-16T21:04:00.002-04:002023-10-16T21:06:08.490-04:00Music Monday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0YMCjBqmA9f-HQKyn7bveGHEgQJemoDel5UGzx6KO2q0ziPMrc7VLb1NF69QEU-FT6sRe2dEEOAAyuW_woBpIWF-FrAuxOYh9EteGdcQXJ4pyK-itVDQLEINWvx7tK1VpinSjLFzsQI9vDH0JV0mVYT956uWuUGCbS8YFjCzMxCIO3hQb-9L1BG47Pw/s750/Music%20Monday.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="750" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0YMCjBqmA9f-HQKyn7bveGHEgQJemoDel5UGzx6KO2q0ziPMrc7VLb1NF69QEU-FT6sRe2dEEOAAyuW_woBpIWF-FrAuxOYh9EteGdcQXJ4pyK-itVDQLEINWvx7tK1VpinSjLFzsQI9vDH0JV0mVYT956uWuUGCbS8YFjCzMxCIO3hQb-9L1BG47Pw/w400-h366/Music%20Monday.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Well, things have been busy around here following my inspiring and productive week in New York City and then a whirlwind trip to Edmonton, Alberta this past weekend, playing at the Yardbird Suite. </p><p>I'm also playing at Fluid Fest in Calgary this week with my new show <i>TapBassDrums</i> featuring Lisa La Touche (tap dancer) and Jodi Proznick (bass). See the post below for more information and tickets.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6D1OUt-g82OWXBKU0c_V0llOKGb9Ch87SBodX19BCgEWmtpeZw_Vxg7pZO_e7EYLqmQT_H_Dl8XxyPZ-Q5IG7aTHsuVg9nN401Um4BzsQJqIQaBh3lBpFMubm3WnurBcyet5rxcqoKdxSWKbVPXOamjRP-kZfzbnflUWeydM4lHtFq_CvUXLQZfWfDtM/s1080/TapBassDrums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6D1OUt-g82OWXBKU0c_V0llOKGb9Ch87SBodX19BCgEWmtpeZw_Vxg7pZO_e7EYLqmQT_H_Dl8XxyPZ-Q5IG7aTHsuVg9nN401Um4BzsQJqIQaBh3lBpFMubm3WnurBcyet5rxcqoKdxSWKbVPXOamjRP-kZfzbnflUWeydM4lHtFq_CvUXLQZfWfDtM/w400-h400/TapBassDrums.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Anyways, things are definitely on the go these days but there is always something to share over here at <i>Four on the Floor</i>. Here's a smattering of interesting music I've been watching/checking out lately and I hope you dig it too:</p><p>Lewis Nash & Steve Wilson Duo:</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sh0Yz0x5yAA?si=rcfd0zgfWgH1jtIc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>Andrew Cyrille and Bill McHenry:<div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xaBu6V9MvMI?si=OukjYFxcf6WGYlj4" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div> </div><div>Jack DeJohnette "Time & Space" featuring Dave Holland:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OQx3fCWaatQ?si=lCyn8zWFSSlV7Nuf" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SP4AvC7Ocp0?si=4sbahebL77hUN63J" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>Alan Dawson with Kenny Barron and Bob Cranshaw:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T8JvzWyEL1c?si=0n0Ov5uGw7Vd_YIx" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Joe Lovano, John Patitucci and Brian Blade: </div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZPiVPiAd1-8?si=oTC8CkRdUqA_7SWD" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>James Williams and his Magical Trios featuring Art Blakey and Elvin Jones:</div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pyG3VNdClfQ?si=BdkN-vyV6JvANQg5" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/auJCQoVj5dc?si=2UvRTl5AABQoKljB" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zlp70j1ldgQ?si=gdnjxBKuXyGOZ09V" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"Take care of the music, </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">and the music will take care of you!"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">- Dizzy Gillespie</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HYTVPYv75i3HCx8-n__Lh8DJa7-m2R1vEGVsx9buWTIyY_Nl1f1iab01gaSqskBoXXXbBVrMJodD0EaV_sd8Es3AgPdR0UEaMEP4lRPbcq8TPPqiah5vOLBW2Ns-KCEY7MR4O_v2VJIaO5UtmN-JJ8SpnHRC9RNG3y5LRr7V0szxJzuZgAphlUn7fiY/s2000/Dizzy%20Drums1.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1607" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HYTVPYv75i3HCx8-n__Lh8DJa7-m2R1vEGVsx9buWTIyY_Nl1f1iab01gaSqskBoXXXbBVrMJodD0EaV_sd8Es3AgPdR0UEaMEP4lRPbcq8TPPqiah5vOLBW2Ns-KCEY7MR4O_v2VJIaO5UtmN-JJ8SpnHRC9RNG3y5LRr7V0szxJzuZgAphlUn7fiY/w321-h400/Dizzy%20Drums1.jpeg" width="321" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-2656739249288544642023-10-09T09:00:00.001-04:002023-10-09T09:00:00.144-04:00Sunny Murrary & Ed Blackwell - Willisau 1980<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnjgNF_TWHIxj1OOZLo2vgUwx3Uofc6AujuNuqQpP0mEC2vVag_ensqqYe9O-T9WJgQ1hdIyHDqaoCLXLCxmw2Dahhi_TB5MJuBhE-U4Jwh42okV7_tbY1dA8aMLMRQto-z0bbEdxtl7RZdnWB1Bgu5VScJwjy0KQNmyJ-J1fMBd5on7JKFj8Yh0l40o/s1432/Sunny%20Murrary%20Ed%20Blackwell.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1432" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnjgNF_TWHIxj1OOZLo2vgUwx3Uofc6AujuNuqQpP0mEC2vVag_ensqqYe9O-T9WJgQ1hdIyHDqaoCLXLCxmw2Dahhi_TB5MJuBhE-U4Jwh42okV7_tbY1dA8aMLMRQto-z0bbEdxtl7RZdnWB1Bgu5VScJwjy0KQNmyJ-J1fMBd5on7JKFj8Yh0l40o/w400-h379/Sunny%20Murrary%20Ed%20Blackwell.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you to Chad Anderson for sharing this fascinating drum duet of Ed Blackwell and Sunny Murray playing duo in Willisau, Switzerland circa. 1980:</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZzqBx-NbyRQ?si=jmJH58mjFzUvK1hz" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-34962429761519657912023-10-05T23:41:00.000-04:002023-10-05T23:41:04.631-04:00TapBassDrums!<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXp_uzXW3GdvtACLHc-qXp5s_ez72FJqn9U5sU-9-F4Wh8by4qZ-BHH1H3siBqSZRGWA9_XchtxrVwoSj6wQEK_mKn5UQXiU3a4btACqM2Fel3ip8EW9kIQ8UybTPT43U_GjcshRO7mInFVdi7FwbMd95arqYohCUyYkh9rWSBYk748Fuc1gdBUmdT0o/s1080/TapBassDrums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXp_uzXW3GdvtACLHc-qXp5s_ez72FJqn9U5sU-9-F4Wh8by4qZ-BHH1H3siBqSZRGWA9_XchtxrVwoSj6wQEK_mKn5UQXiU3a4btACqM2Fel3ip8EW9kIQ8UybTPT43U_GjcshRO7mInFVdi7FwbMd95arqYohCUyYkh9rWSBYk748Fuc1gdBUmdT0o/w400-h400/TapBassDrums.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">TapBassDrums<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">appearing at Fluid Fest<br /><br />Friday, October 20th and Saturday, October 21st </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">7:00pm<br /><br />The GRAND - 608 1st Street SW Calgary, AB<br /><br /><br />Featuring:<br /><br />Lisa La Touche - tap<br /><br />Jodi Proznick - bass<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jonathan McCaslin - drums<br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Tickets available at: </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://springboardperformance.com/events/tapbassdrums">https://springboardperformance.com/events/tapbassdrums</a></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEm0smsNDPhLV4US4hqsXDpjPoLTaqw6fBijtPDFccjp92pyh90AKI8Od0MJkO6zeLS9gw3Fh2slTNndyeyjnZ-YViP5ZwFNbK9qCtjOuL-8_JffwjCs-nofI74_uCJeqZCD4wT_FsTiw5HLuFc3YIHIM_iCASYyBx03jiz6tIn98WxndOM-yeAcoBBq0/s1080/TapBassDrums%20+%20After%20Hours%20Jam%20Set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEm0smsNDPhLV4US4hqsXDpjPoLTaqw6fBijtPDFccjp92pyh90AKI8Od0MJkO6zeLS9gw3Fh2slTNndyeyjnZ-YViP5ZwFNbK9qCtjOuL-8_JffwjCs-nofI74_uCJeqZCD4wT_FsTiw5HLuFc3YIHIM_iCASYyBx03jiz6tIn98WxndOM-yeAcoBBq0/w400-h400/TapBassDrums%20+%20After%20Hours%20Jam%20Set.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-28812136086383459152023-10-02T12:03:00.004-04:002023-10-02T12:03:54.788-04:00Jeff Ballard on Cymbals!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFJVQ3P6yQ_htzRcLss5y1qScHwn5lqjCA4CI3n8OyyWE7u79nGvguASl2mh26_-h663wEHqvwCWPbAztM6v1Nq5FHK8rCT8gaUbAtRMPGi314XDt-lJJ7jebC54LqfRvvLqjqcBC1-JIo5N1hWHA5IEmCSPsvUXPDk1cBcoldeCfJ_EPs5yqPZsUGWw/s1280/BallardKs.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFJVQ3P6yQ_htzRcLss5y1qScHwn5lqjCA4CI3n8OyyWE7u79nGvguASl2mh26_-h663wEHqvwCWPbAztM6v1Nq5FHK8rCT8gaUbAtRMPGi314XDt-lJJ7jebC54LqfRvvLqjqcBC1-JIo5N1hWHA5IEmCSPsvUXPDk1cBcoldeCfJ_EPs5yqPZsUGWw/w400-h225/BallardKs.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you to Matthias Kuert who shared this incredible footage of Jeff Ballard playing through a collection of amazing old K cymbals.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uOsyVSvdPK0?si=jhouj-dPtY1J1OHq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A selection of old K's played by bandleader, composer and master jazz drummer Jeff Ballard</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Recorded on 19 March 2019 in Switzerland</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Jeff Ballard was teaching at Jazzcampus Basel that day and was kind enough to drop by my place that evening. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Jeff plays a selection of 12 old K's made in Istanbul, and a 20" Roberto Spizzichino </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I dedicated this video to the online-forum-community "CYMBALHOLIC.COM", which unfortunately was taken offline shortly afterwards </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Mics are 2 Neumann U87 Ai as overhead, no frequency corrections </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>1960's </i><i>Gretsch Round Badge Black Diamond Pearl </i></div><div><i>BD 14"x 18", Toms 8"x12" & 14"x14", Snare 5"x14" 8 lugs </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>You can also see Swiss drummer Andreas Hoerni and me from time to time</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div>
Jeff is undoubtedly one of the great drummers of our time. Check out this wonderful feature as well, from Jazzcampus Basel:<div><br /><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RpReDdm2Lmw?si=vBGluwssOO_tKLZP" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312148157426334788.post-66490873128830583132023-09-25T09:00:00.056-04:002023-09-25T09:00:00.149-04:00OPTION: Francisco Mela Solo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HkiszpebVG3YtWSAoHTxboTdXxWaE7LQfAE5A_azkVdYRI4h9z6d9G0jQGaZ_cQI98gsL2HPnTXWundOTTKGQ50x5KbUNhpgZVYY6VdesxAnSjxVWn7wvRDW641Yp2JhzamTxsscw8umC_59BtsMkEvMq8XRWw83MCAExCQuadBsv0Rad-EAk6Bz30g/s1482/OPTION%20Mela.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1481" data-original-width="1482" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HkiszpebVG3YtWSAoHTxboTdXxWaE7LQfAE5A_azkVdYRI4h9z6d9G0jQGaZ_cQI98gsL2HPnTXWundOTTKGQ50x5KbUNhpgZVYY6VdesxAnSjxVWn7wvRDW641Yp2JhzamTxsscw8umC_59BtsMkEvMq8XRWw83MCAExCQuadBsv0Rad-EAk6Bz30g/w400-h400/OPTION%20Mela.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Francisco Mela has been a favourite drummer of mine for sometime now and I'm always interested to hear what he's up to.</p><p>Here's a dynamic solo set from last summer, recorded for Chicago's Experimental Sound Studio series.</p><p>His comments in the ensuing interview at the very end are also very honest and compelling. Check it out.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y86F7XXkhUg?si=U1RvU7DnSjTYLvcc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Here's a couple of other older solo pieces that I quite enjoy watching as well and find myself returning to from time to time:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PjLU4YgCh3c?si=aSUQb8oxL50jqcTR" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MWuoFW9BhGw?si=Vq-95dwlVNdXF_Yn" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L_l7sbxNzus?si=vimWdBLaXQUbF9Hw" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"We play music to free our souls!" - Francisco Mela</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Jon McCaslinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09147797180444746300noreply@blogger.com1