I was logged in the site this morning and I was just amazed of how much information is up now. There are so many things to work on that is just overwhelming.
Wow, people are getting involved. That's so cool. I love it. Keep going!
I'm making a solo vibes piece out of Joe's Sword of Whispers. I think I'll video it Tomorrow and post it. Then I'll write it out and make it available for anyone who wants to check it out.
Also doing a video duet of one of my tunes. Using the green screen.
This (see attached pics) is where I spend a few hours everyday. It's a room-within-a-room, in my basement. Soundproof for the people next door, and for my family upstairs. I start soon after breakfast, always with the vibes, still trying to tame that Vanderplas. Then I move to the drums (1970 Gretsch mounted with Earthtone heads) and let steam off. Then a Havana cigar, and a streetwise book. My grandson Steven plays alto. He knows more at 13 than I did at 20. My buddies Laurent (bass) and JM join me a couple of times a week for sessions.
I was inspired by tonys insane cherokee etude so I thought i'd throw up a version from a different angle! Hope you enjoy!
So a lot's been happening. Some behind the scenes, which is why I haven't been online as much as usual.
Here's the scoop:
First thanks to Joe Locke who talking with Nico Vanderplas and Bill Youhass agreed to send a 3.5 octave set of vibes down to vibes workshop. What a gift! You heard my old instrument. Well it might be great for practicing, but when I would get hate mail from Piper about the sound I knew something had to be done. I just wasn't sure what! Then Joe, Nico and Bill came to the rescue. Thanks so much!!!
My goal for this year is to learn to play scales and modes.
At the end of my last lesson with Tony, he gave me two Bill Evans CD's to check out. One of them is Bill Evans' "Alone". Tony said that he learned to play solo vibes from this record.
As soon as a got home I checked it out. First of all, I'm a big fan of Bill Evans. (is hard not to be, right?)so I knew that whatever I was going to listen it was going to be beautiful, emotional and magical.
Hi all!
Yesterday I've been at Porgy&Bess (www.porgy.at) - the most important jazzclub here in Vienna where Bosko Petrovic Trio (vib, git , bass)played. These guys blew me away! Maybe someone of you have seen Bosko - he is 74 years old and from Croatia. He plays with two mallets - the huge ones like Milt Jackson and uses a timpani gip. Bosko has also composed many jazz tunes. The last few tunes of the gig he featured a boy of about 12 years named Vid Jamnik from Slowenia who studied with Bosko for several years and now plays like a killer.
The most obvious Valentines Day tune is "My Funny Valentine". Are there others?
I put the changes into Band-in-a-Box and had fun with "My Funny Valentine". I'll probably do another take though.
How about posting your version or another Valentines Day tune? I know you want to!
Barry
This is a solo that me and Tony came up with last week. I had to play it in 12 keys. It was fun! Hope you guys try it as well.
I didn't write the chords down. I think is a good exercise to try to figure them out by ear using the lines.
Have fun!! :)