Vibraphone

I learn and I learn and I learn.

I thought Jenco's totally sucked. Well I thought they were for students. Randy Suttin is the kind of guy who is way more open to instruments and sounds than me.

So I checked out Peter Schlamb's new CD Tinks. First he's a great solid player. He's the real deal and I'm always looking for the real deals. So I wrote him and thanked him for a great. I asked him what instrument he was using. He said a Junco. I couldn't believe. I love the sound of his vibes on the recording. This was eye opening for me. It makes me want to collect instruments!

Anthony Smith and myself had a great workshop at the California Jazz Conservatory! Great people and a great time!

Thanks for Steve Shapiro for posting on Facebook!

Burton - Times Square

I love this cd. Check out this youtube vid. It's a record! Some of you will probably think it sounds horrible. But I loved and love records. When I hear that sound of the record a little worn I get chills!

This cd I love especially for the vibe sound. It's I think my favorite vibe sound on a recording. And the vibes sound beautiful on Coral!

What do you think? Check out the whole record it's really great!

We team up for our German workshop with Matthias from the Mallet Institute. It's a great workshop!

"Sophisticated Lady" by the great Duke Ellington. I've been working on this song this past week. Such a deep and beautiful composition. Some of my favorite versions are from Duke of course as well as from great pianists like Art Tatum, Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea.

I haven't been an active member for a long time, but I'm hoping to change that. I thought I would start with a recent video of my quartet playing "footprints" at a local club. Please also check out my website and leave me some feedback. I've never made a site before and would welcome constructive criticism.
mikekesslermusic.com

Nice surprise today having Steve Nelson come to the mallet class which Gustavo and I ran. The class was part of the Berklee Percussion Weekend. Steve played two beautiful solo pieces. Sweet and Lovely and Ellington's Sophisticated Lady. Shared some great stories about Milt and Bobby.

If you are into the Exotica genre, I think you will dig this group. Found them on Amazon Music where they have one of their albums available for free streaming.

MUSICIANS:
Brian O’Neill (Artistic Director) vibraphone, percussion, artistic director
Geni Skendo: bass flute, C flute
Jeremy Smith: hand percussion
Brad Barrett: bass
Tev Stevig: oud, tanbur, resonator guitar

Enjoy,
Barry